Chemical ‘eruption’ at King’s Buildings

Student taken to hospital after chemical accident at King’s Buildings.

This morning at 11:30 a student was taken to the Royal Infirmary following an unexpected chemical reaction that led to his face being splashed with acid leaving him with skin irritations.

A spokeswoman for the fire service described the accident as an ‘eruption’ following the injury caused by a mixing of chemicals.

A spokeswoman for the university said the student had “poured benzyl bromide into a beaker which he thought was dry”.

Unfortunately however, as the glass still had moisture in, the chemical reacted and splashed up into the student’s face. Luckily, the student had all the relevant safety equipment in position, preventing further injury.

Twenty firefighters were present at the scene after the callout.

It has since been confirmed that the second-floor laboratory is now safe and that it is being cleaned up.

The spokeswoman also confirmed that: “No other staff or students were placed at risk”.

Benzyl bromide can have serious consequences when in contact with skin was used as a war gas in WWI.