MIT graduate alleges creation of lethal dimethyl mercury, prompting hazmat shutdown
A graduate student at MIT reported synthesizing dimethyl mercury, triggering a large-scale hazardous-materials response and the closure of the lab where the work was done.
An unidentified MIT graduate claimed to have created dimethyl mercury, a chemical lethal in minute quantities, and sought medical attention at a local hospital. The university responded by locking down Building 18, where the alleged synthesis occurred, and called in municipal hazmat teams to conduct a thorough cleanup. Common areas of the student's residence hall were also sanitized as a precaution, and his personal room was sealed.
MIT kept the building closed through the weekend while investigations and testing continued. A spokesperson noted that preliminary blood work, obtained with the student's consent, revealed no signs of mercury poisoning, and that emerging information casts doubt on whether the compound was actually produced. Dimethyl mercury is known for its severe health and environmental risks, having caused a fatal accident at Dartmouth in 1997 and being used in a 2012 political assassination.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the dangers of unauthorized chemical work and the need for strict lab safety protocols.
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