COMMERCE, Texas — Several staff members and students at Commerce Elementary School on FM 3218 reported feeling ill Thursday, but officials said no hazardous conditions were found following a thorough investigation.
The incident occurred April 9, 2026, when Commerce ISD Police Department responded to reports of three staff members experiencing lightheadedness, dizziness, and headaches. While officers were on scene, three additional staff members reported similar symptoms, along with three students who complained of nausea, including one who vomited.
School officials immediately implemented safety protocols and requested an evaluation by the fire department. Authorities conducted an extensive on-site assessment, including air quality testing with eight different detection tools. Officials said no hazardous gases, including carbon monoxide, or other dangerous substances were detected at any time.
Emergency Medical Services were not dispatched, as officials reported no symptoms consistent with exposure to a harmful substance. Authorities said no medically substantiated health concerns were identified that would indicate hazardous gas exposure, a finding confirmed by the Commerce Fire Department.
As a precaution, students and staff were temporarily relocated outdoors to allow access to fresh air while the situation was evaluated. Officials said there was no verified threat to the safety of anyone on campus, and normal operations continued without disruption.
District officials said no campus-wide parent notification was issued because no hazard or ongoing safety concern was identified. They added that notifications are reserved for confirmed threats to avoid unnecessary alarm.
Authorities also addressed speculation about a possible HVAC issue, stating that inspections of HVAC systems, boilers, and related equipment found no problems. Officials noted that an unrelated fire alarm earlier in the week caused by a hot water leak had been resolved and was not connected to the incident.
“The Commerce ISD Police Department takes all safety concerns seriously and will continue to act swiftly and decisively to ensure the well-being of our campuses,” said Chief Seth McDaniel.
