Cambridge, Mass. – A graduate student in the Department of Chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) told emergency‑room staff on Wednesday that they had unintentionally synthesized dimethyl mercury while working in Building 18, also known as the Dreyfus Building. The student was immediately placed under medical supervision and, with their permission, MIT released an update to the campus community.
University response and safety precautions
MIT officials confirmed that the student was not authorized to handle the compound, which is listed by the EPA as a “serious environmental and health hazard.” The university promptly closed Building 18, sealed the student’s residence hall unit, and arranged professional cleaning of common areas as a precaution.
City emergency responders were called in to assess the situation and begin decontamination efforts. Industrial hygienists, MIT health experts, and other specialists are working together to test air and surface samples. In a statement, the school said it continues to believe the risk of secondary or tertiary exposure is “very low.”
What is dimethyl mercury?
Dimethyl mercury is a volatile, highly toxic organomercury compound. Even minute skin contact or inhalation can be fatal. The substance gained notoriety after a 1997 laboratory accident that claimed the life of a chemistry professor. Because of its extreme toxicity, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires specialized protective equipment and strict handling protocols for any work involving the chemical.
Medical findings
According to the university’s update, the student’s initial blood test showed no detectable mercury, suggesting no systemic exposure at this time. The student remains under observation, and further testing will continue as the investigation proceeds.
Impact on campus life
While Building 18 remains closed through at least Sunday, the rest of MIT’s campus is operating normally. Classes and research activities in other facilities have not been disrupted. The university has notified anyone who may have been in close proximity to the student or the lab space and is offering guidance on any additional steps they should take.
MIT’s swift action underscores the institution’s commitment to campus safety and to protecting the health of its students, faculty, and surrounding community. The ongoing cleanup and investigation will be communicated to the MIT community as new information becomes available.
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
