Chemical Leak Prompts Evacuation At Boston College

NEWTON, MA — Boston College has returned to normal after a chemical leak in a science lab Monday forced an evacuation, prompting police and fire and helicopters to descend on the area.

No one was hurt, according to the school.

"There was a small chemical leak in the Merkert Chemistry Center today around 1 pm that was quickly contained," according to Jack Dunn, a spokesperson for the College. "The building was evacuated and has since reopened following an inspection by the Boston Fire Department. "

A liter bottle of hydrogen-sulfide leaked into a lab vent, where it was contained and cleaned up.

The leak was considered a level 2 hazmat.

Organic sulfides are considered highly flammable. Hydrogen sulfide tends to give off a putrid stench.

According to Boston Fire Department officials, a Level 2 Hazmat Incident is defined as a report of:

• A spill in excess of 50 gallons of petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel oil, fuel oil, etc.;
• unconfirmed reports of chemical spills, leaking containers, process malfunction accidents;
• fires producing irritating, corrosive or flammable vapors or other hazardous conditions.

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