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The Marshall University Hazardous Materials response team and the Huntington Fire Department were on the scene with caution tape and protective gloves following a chemical spill report at the Huntington VA Medical Center.
A Marshall student was treated for minor chemical burns after spilling a container of a corrosive chemical in an elevator in the Medical School building yesterday. The student received treatment in the VA Medical Center Emergency Room and was released the same day.
Deputy Chief Tim Provaznik of the Huntington Fire Department said the student was reported to have been transporting a tray of chemicals onto an elevator on the first floor of the building, when a container of TRI Reagent fell on the floor, spilling its contents.
TRI Reagent is a chemical used for isolating RNA molecules from biological materials. The chemical contains a poisonous substance called phenol and an irritant called guanidine thiocyanate. The chemical is highly corrosive. Direct contact or inhalation can be fatal.
Robert Napier, EMC supervisor for Cabell County 911, said a call reporting the spill was received from the Medical Center at 1:27 p.m.
Most students and faculty members in the building were unaware of what had happened. Several students were in the building taking exams.
Aaron Lambert, a first-year medical student from Barboursville, said he was taking an exam in the building when the spill occurred. He said some students noticed a strange vinegar smell wafting from the hallway.
"Our professor told us that someone spilled a chemical in the lab downstairs," Lambert said. "But we were told there was no immediate danger and continued to take our exam."
After completing his exam, which began at 2 p.m., Lambert said he walked downstairs to exit the building and spoke to a janitor who told him the building was being evacuated, which he said surprised him.
"Initially some of us thought they were making too much out of it, but if someone was taken to the hospital, then I suppose it was a big deal," Lambert said.
Provaznik said approximately 50 faculty and students were evacuated from the Medical School building. There were no other injuries reported.
"The staff has done everything they should have done in a situation like this," Provaznik said.
The Medical School building was closed for the rest of the day until clean up was completed. Classes are expected to resume as usual in the building today.
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