No serious injuries in lab explosion
January 31, 2003
The chemical explosion in the Aerospace and Energetics Research Building (AERB) caused no serious injuries, according to Rob Harrill, media- relations officer for engineering and related sciences.
Though no one was present for the actual explosion, six people were exposed to the chemical, acryloyl chloride, which can be fatal if absorbed through the skin, and extremely destructive to the eyes and respiratory system.
"We just had a little bit of eye irritation and wheezing," said Mohamed El-Sayed, senior post-doctoral fellow of bioengineering and one of the two who were taken to Harborview Medical Center for examination. "We were back to work the next day."
Alan Hoffman, professor of aeronautics and astronautics, was also taken to Harborview, but neither were officially admitted for treatment.
"They were only taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure," said Harrill.
UW Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) is investigating the chemical explosion. According to Shawn Baz, industrial hygienist for EHS, it is too early to tell if anything concerning lab procedure was done incorrectly, or if a new lab policy should be implemented.
"What we're doing right now is having a debriefing about the incident," said Baz. "Once that is completed, we'll decide if we need to amend our policies in terms of lab practice."
All laboratories in the AERB have been reopened, and there were no extensive damages to the building.
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