If you think the coffee in your office is bad…
Harvard University Medical School locked down its New Research Building on Sunday, according to the Boston Herald.
The reason? Coffee.
In particular coffee that was consumed two months ago by six scientists and students that used a communal single-serve coffee machine. The machine tested positive for a chemical substance known as sodium azide, after all six workers began to feel dizzy and one even passed out, according to an internal memo. Sodium azide is commonly found in labs.
Although it’s unclear whether this was a purposeful poisoning, Harvard is shutting down the building to install more cameras and better security equipment. Federal OSHA as well as the Boston Public Health Commission are investigating the incident.
However, the Herald also reports that toxicologist David M. Benjamin says there is a slim chance the employees were poisoned by accident.
“Could it have gotten in the coffee machine inadvertently? Absolutely not,” Benjamin told the Herald. “It could be considered an attempted murder or assault.”
On of the victims also believes the poisoning was purposeful, according The Harvard Crimson.
This incident highlights two major lab safety points:
- Due to the volatile nature of chemicals in many medical labs its imperative that lab workers adhere to safety precautions so there is not chance for chemical exposure outside the lab.
- Security is particularly important in this area. Chemicals should not leave the lab area and traffic in and out of the lab should be closely monitored.
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Comments
Was this machine in a designated break area? Was it the policy of the facility to not consume food or drink outside the break areas? or was this a “rouge” coffee pot in the lab hidden behind the other lab gear and used in secret?….
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