Archive for Wednesday, November 25, 2009
KU says student didn’t follow proper lab procedures before exposure to toxic chemical
The graduate student who was hospitalized for three days after ingesting a chemical was not following lab procedures. The incident was said to be accidental.
November 25, 2009
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A student who was poisoned by a toxic chemical in a Kansas University lab did not follow proper lab procedures, university officials announced Wednesday.
The graduate student, who the university has refused to identify, accidentally ingested the highly toxic chemical sodium azide and was later admitted into the intensive care unit at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. The incident happened Nov. 4 inside Malott Hall and caused the student to be hospitalized for three days.
"Everyone is relieved that the student has recovered," university spokesman Jack Martin said in a news release.
University officials said the student apologized to his lab colleagues for "his lapse."
The situation caused officials to evacuate and close Malott Hall for a short time while safety workers confirmed the lab and building had not been contaminated.
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Comments
onrywmn (anonymous) says…
I guess I don't understand what really happened. Why did the student ingest a chemical like that in the first place?
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bigdave (anonymous) says…
onrywmn (Anonymous) says…
I guess I don't understand what really happened. Why did the student ingest a chemical like that in the first place?
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Burrito King!!!!
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Pywacket (anonymous) says…
Obviously, that wasn't his intention. From what I have read, it is easy to accidentally ingest it orally or by inhalation--and it can be absorbed through the skin--if every precaution is not being followed properly.
Here's some reputable information: http://www.ehs.neu.edu/hazardous_wast...
As you can see, the highest precautions need to be followed with this stuff. I wonder if KU will ever reveal exactly what this student did wrong--I know a lot of us are curious about it. He was unbelievably lucky. This event should make him a much better chemist--much more aware of every single thing he does in the lab.
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q_ball2kand1 (anonymous) says…
He was handling glass containers with the substance, got some of the residue on his hands, than sat down for a sandwich a little later without washing up.
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not_holroyd (anonymous) says…
You mean Big Gulp cups aren't allowed in the labs?
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