A clogged drain caused a chemical spill at Auburn Memorial Hospital late Wednesday morning.

Staff reported smelling a foul odor coming from a drain used to dispose of chemicals in the radiology department. Vice President of Patient Care and Services Roz McCormick said a water-soluble chemical called developer and fixer is used for developing X-rays and film and is safely disposed of and not an environmental concern when flushed with water down the drain.

"The area was not running for a little bit," McCormick said. "We had to send patients to other areas in the hospital to get work done like X-rays, but the situation is under control now and it has been taken care of."