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Fire officials responded to the leak of about 1.5 ounces of ethylene oxide at 9:45 a.m. at St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital Center, 2233 W. Division St., Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford said.

The chemical leaked from a canister used for a sterilization machine in the basement of the hospital at 1:30 a.m., but officials didn't become aware of it until later in the morning, Chicago Fire Chief Dan O'Connell said at the scene.

"No one was injured, but as a precaution about 15 people in the area of the spill were taken to the emergency room and checked out," O'Connell said.

O'Connell said the chemical is toxic and highly flammable and can also cause respiratory problems. One of the uses of the chemical is to sterilize hospital surgical equipment, according to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Web site.

The vapors didn't get into the hospital's ventilation system, Langford said.

About 30 pieces of equipment were sent to the scene, and traffic was blocked off on several streets surrounding the area.

No evacuations were required at the hospital, and the danger was declared over at 10:15 a.m.

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