Explosion in chem. lab prompts safety checks
A glass apparatus exploded in a University chemistry laboratory yesterday afternoon, drawing a horde of police and fire and emergency vehicles to the scene.
The incident occurred at the Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter, a chemistry building at 3231 Walnut St. across from the David Rittenhouse Laboratory.
According to LRSM Associate Director Andrew McGhie, the explosion was caused by the state changes of a mixture containing xenon gas and ether.
"The gas passed through a cold trap and condensed to a liquid," McGhie said. "When the cold trap warmed up, the liquid xenon became a gas at high pressure and caused the glass system to explode."
The only injury due to the explosion was sustained by Class of 2007 chemistry graduate student William McNavage, the occupant of the lab and one of three or four people in the room.
Though prompted by officials to check into the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, McGhie said that McNavage was "just shaken up and walked away on his own."
Upon arrival at the scene, fire and emergency workers performed a number of routine operations, including building ventilation and air tests.
Fire and safety specialist Steve Roth determined that all tests were negative, indicating the absence of any lingering chemical gases in the building's air circulation system.
Pedestrians in the area were surprised at the number of fire officials present at the scene. However, Roth stressed the need for emergency service response.
"Everything is a precaution by the Fire Department to ensure that the situation is resolved and okay," Roth said.
-- Sameer Khetan
