Calgon, take me away — in an ambulance.
D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services were dispatched shortly after 1 p.m. Friday to the corner of New York and Florida avenues Northeast, near Gallaudet University. Several people were complaining of a “foul odor,” said fire department spokesman Alan Etter.
The department’s hazardous materials squad responded but found nothing harmful. They did, however, track down the offending odor: A woman with exceptionally strong body spray.
The “lady sprayed herself with this stuff called Hawaiian Ginger and Tropical Dream body spray, made by Calgon,” Etter said in an e-mail.
EMS evaluated 18 people at the scene, Etter said, but nobody went to the hospital. It was strong, apparently, but not dangerous.
A review of Calgon’s Hawaiian Ginger perfume on associatedcontent.com describes the scent as “like a tropical beach side fiesta,” with a “summery kick to it that makes it perfect for summer wear.” The reviews were generally positive on epinions.com, though one person did note the “overpowering” scent as a negative.
Also on associatedcontent.com, a review of Calgon’s Tropical Dream body lotion promises a “strong tropical scent” that will “transport you to a tropical island, like it or not.”
No one answered the phone Friday afternoon at Calgon’s corporate office.
