There reportedly has been a contamination incident now undergoing cleanup at the MIT Chemistry Lab involving apparently unauthorized use of dimethyl mercury, involving one student who is now in hospital. This substance is almost unimaginably toxic even if a tiny fraction of single drop is absorbed. It will pass through all common protective gloves in seconds. Reportedly all known exposures have led to death or permanent vegetative states.
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@lauren
Boston globe article on this. I am a bit shocked that it was a graduate student. At that point you should have learned to handle dangerous stuff safely. At least back in the 90s studying chemistry in Germany we were exposed to more and more dangerous stuff. And it was hammered into us: "this can kill you (and other students). You are responsible to be safe."
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/08/29/metro/mit-student-mercury-exposure/
@lauren saw these posted on r/mit and r/chemistry. Lots of open questions.
Also read the last college incident with dimethylmercury was a chem professor at Dartmouth in 1996 who had accidental exposure and took 5 months to show symptoms before dying in 1997. Terrible stuff.
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@lauren Oh God, that's awful.
I'm not a chemist and the name "dimethyl mercury" triggered like five alarm bells in my brain even though I couldn't remember why.
More details unconfirmed: Student claimed they had synthesized the substance. Initial blood tests not indicating mercury toxicity.
