Highly toxic chemical that can cause severe injuries, even death spilled at U of I bio chem lab

URBANA, Ill. (WAND) - People are being told the emergency has ended and it is safe to resume regular activities after a hazardous material spill was reported at a University of Illinois bio chem lab.

The Urbana Fire Department was called to 600 S. Mathews Ave., the Roger Adams Laboratory at 12:40 p.m. Saturday.

People were told to leave the area if safe to do so.

Urbana Fire told WAND News 500 ml of Acetic anhydride was spilled in a lab. It is a clear, highly corrosive liquid with a strong, pungent vinegar-like odor. It is primarily used as an acetylating and dehydrating agent in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, plastics, dyes, and cellulose acetate fibers.

Acetic anydride is highly toxic. It can cause the following health issues:

Inhalation: Vapors are highly irritating and can cause severe respiratory distress, coughing, and even fatal pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs).
Skin and Eye Contact: It is a strong corrosive that causes severe burns, permanent eye damage, and tissue destruction upon contact.
Ingestion: Swallowing the chemical causes severe internal burns, nausea, and vomiting

The fire department was called, and they evacuated the whole building and steered people away from the area. No other areas of campus were officially evacuated.

The alert was lifted around 2:20 p.m., and the fire department cleared the scene at 2:40 p.m.

No injuries were reported.

The building houses the administrative offices of the Department of Chemical and Bio-molecular Engineering, research laboratory spaces, faculty offices, and equipment and resources for chemical research, including the EPR Laboratory, Machine Shop, NMR Laboratory, Cell Media Facility, and the Storeroom.