Incident at MIT highlights key recommendations for working with hazardous materials

Incident description

During the last week of August, reports emerged that a graduate student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology may have synthesized the highly toxic material dimethylmercury. This resulted in the closure of the MIT chemistry building while the incident was thoroughly investigated. The graduate student and members of an adjacent lab underwent medical monitoring.

Dimethylmercury is a highly toxic material that caused the death of noted toxic-metal chemist Karen Wetterhahn in 1997 after only a few drops permeated her gloves.

What went right?

MIT closed the building while the potential hazard was thoroughly investigated. The affected student and nearby laboratory members also received medical monitoring as a precaution.

Seeking assistance and temporarily closing a building are appropriate steps when an incident may affect the health and safety of the research community.

What should have been done differently?

While it remains unclear what happened or whether dimethylmercury was involved, the incident highlights three key recommendations for working with hazardous materials:

• Understand the hazards you are working with. Researchers should be knowledgeable about any chemicals they handle, whether it is the first time they are being used or the hundredth. Without knowledge of the hazards associated with the materials, critical safety information about proper handling, waste disposal and potential side reactions may be overlooked.
   
• Review synthesis plans BEFORE starting work. Some theories regarding this incident indicate that the graduate student believed they may have inadvertently synthesized dimethylmercury either during the reaction or during workup. While this remains only a theory, it serves as a reminder to examine chemical reactions and workups holistically rather than assuming they will proceed as intended without complications or unwanted byproducts.
   
• Never be afraid to seek help if your health and safety or the health and safety of others is in question. While some people may be shaking their heads in disbelief that something like this could happen, researchers should always seek medical advice and contact EH&S if they believe an incident may affect their health or the health of others.