DCHAS-L Discussion List Archive

http://cenblog.org/the-safety-zone/2017/02/student-unintentionally-makes-explosive-at-university-of-bristol/

C&EN Safety Zone blog: Student unintentionally makes explosive at University of Bristol

A University of Bristol graduate student inadvertently synthesized approximately 40 g of triacetone triperoxide (TATP) on Friday, prompting building evacuations and a controlled detonation by an explosives team, chemistry professor and Faculty of Science dean Timothy C. Gallagher has confirmed to

The TATP was in solution and not isolated as a solid. When the student realized what had happened, the student handled the situation very responsibly, Gallagher says. Further response by the department, university, and emergency personnel 'went like clockwork,' Gallagher adds.

Gallagher says that he is 'absolutely convinced' that the preparation of TATP was unintentional rather than deliberate or with malicious intent.

Gallagher and others at the university are working to understand exactly how the student came to make the explosive, especially in such quantity. Once
that is done, Gallagher plans to share more details and all lessons learned with the chemistry community. 'It's the right thing to do,' he says.

Chemist commentary: Chemjobber, Reddit

Local news coverage: Epigram (student newspaper), Bristol Post, Sun

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