HAZEN - Complaints that some Dickinson hockey players were headachy and vomiting while attending a four-day camp at the Hazen All-Seasons Arena caused rink officials to test for carbon monoxide and evacuate the rink.

Camp director Joe Amundson said players and coaches reported getting headaches last Tuesday night. After hearing from a Dickinson parent of their players' symptoms, the rink was checked Wednesday and evacuated for about two hours when carbon monoxide levels were found to be seriously high.

Amundson said a high level of humidity in the rink apparently prevented exhaust from the propane-fueled Zamboni machine from rising and clearing. The exhaust hung about 8 feet above the ice.

About a half-dozen players, who were carpooling from Dickinson, reported a reaction that included vomiting, which Amundson said could have been a combination of the gas and riding in a vehicle.

No one else experienced a reaction more severe than a headache, he said.

Camp officials brought in lab testers from Dakota Gasification Co., who found carbon monoxide at 100 parts per million in the rink and levels of 200 parts per million when the Zamboni was on the ice.

Carbon monoxide is considered toxic at more than 50 parts per million if the exposure is continuous over eight hours.

Doors were opened and other ventilation put into place until the test levels were at zero before players were allowed to reenter the arena.

Amundson said the Zamboni was parked until nighttime and the arena was ventilated and tested after the ice cleaning machine was used to protect against any further carbon monoxide exposure.

He said the rink will get its own carbon monoxide test equipment and add permanent ventilation.

About 80 kids, ages 4 through 18 were attending the four-day Jeff Gustafson Memorial camp. Players came from Dickinson, Hazen-Beulah, Minot, Bismarck and Mandan.

Amundson said the Dickinson players didn't return for the remainder of the camp.