Four University of Tenn. Students Exposed to Chemical

Oct. 30--Four University of Tennessee students were taken to the hospital and a research building closed for two hours Tuesday afternoon when a toxic gas was accidentally released inside a laboratory.

The students were all taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center as a precaution and did not appear to be injured after being exposed to boron trichloride, a dangerous colorless gas than can cause respiratory problems, Knoxville Fire Department Capt. D.J. Corcoran said.

Firefighters closed the Science & Engineering Research Facility building, located at 1414 Circle Drive in the area of campus known as the Hill, at about 3:45 p.m.

A hazardous materials unit ran pH tests on the air inside to make sure the chemical had dissipated through the ventilation system before reopening the building at 5:48 p.m.

The release happened in a roughly 400-square-foot laboratory on the first floor when the students released the boron trichloride from a 20-gallon container into a smaller glass container. The students then heated up the chemical when the glass container broke and released the toxic gas. At least one student checked to be sure the larger container of gas was shut off before running from the lab, Corcoran said.

UT Police then evacuated the building room by room, students said.

Students who had been in the building, which houses mostly research laboratories, lounged on the lawn during the two-hour evacuation with their belongings, including car keys, laptops and bookbags, still inside.

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