Hi All,

It's been a while since this incident happened, but I wanted to provide information about it and maybe something you can discuss on your campus.

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On Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at approximately 11:30 a.m., Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) received a phone call from Lammot du Pont Laboratory (LDL) personnel reporting the accidental creation of Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP) by a graduate student. EHS employees responded for an initial assessment. Upon arrival, EHS was informed that the student was working with a mixture of Trifluoroacetic Acid, Acetone, and Hydrogen Peroxide. The experiment had been conducted on a smaller scale two days prior, affording two products, one expected and one unexpected, as identified via Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The unexpected product was of interest, and the reaction was scaled to produce more of this material. While filtering the larger-scale product, the student observed a "pop" and immediately stopped work to consult the PI. They determined from further review of the NMR spectra that the reaction had produced Triacetone Triperoxide, TATP.

 

EHS contacted a Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) Hazmat and the State's Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit. EOD units and additional first responder assets were dispatched to the campus, consisting of UD Police and several State and Federal agencies. Out of an abundance of caution and given the volatile nature and quantity (30 grams) of TATP, buildings in immediate proximity were evacuated. Subsequently, given the need to neutralize the material on the South Center Green, buildings within the proximity were evacuated.

 

EOD representatives, supported by EHS personnel, decided the safest manner to neutralize the TATP was to transport it from LDL to the South Center Green using a State Police robot. A 2' x 2' trench was created in the grass under the instruction of EOD personnel. The robot delivered the materials, and an EOD constructed charge to the trench to safely detonate the TATP. At 5:41 p.m., the charge successfully detonated the TATP in the trench without incident. EHS and UDPD subsequently secured each location. An "all clear" was transmitted at approximately 6:48 p.m.

 

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I must say that I am so proud of the graduate student for recognizing this mistake, STOPPING, and asking for help. Over the past few years, our EHS team has focused on developing a collaborative relationship with our researchers and breaking down the stigma that we are laboratory police. I believe this effort allowed the student and faculty member to feel comfortable reaching out to EHS and not handling the situation alone.  

 

We still have a lot of work to do, and I'm hoping this information can be helpful on your campus; nearly every lab has hydrogen peroxide and acetone. As a start, remind your groups about incompatible mixtures!

 

Thank you,

Brandon

 

Brandon D. Calitree, Ph.D., MBA

Associate Director | Chemical Hygiene Officer

University of Delaware

Environmental Health & Safety

 

Chemical Safety Moments

 

-----Original Message-----
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU> On Behalf Of Ralph Stuart
Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2023 7:53 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] What we know − and don't know − about what caused UD's lab evacuation 2 weeks ago

 

https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2023/02/24/university-delaware-lab-evacuation-questions-explosive-chemical/69911628007/

 

What we know − and don't know − about what caused UD's lab evacuation 2 weeks ago

 

Two weeks after a "safety-related incident" in the University of Delaware's Lammot du Pont Laboratory led to the evacuation of six buildings and a police-led "controlled detonation" on The Green in Newark, UD officials have provided an update on the incident with slightly more information.

However, details about what exactly led to this incident and what was occurring at the lab remain unknown to the public.

Here's what we can answer − and what we can’t.

 

What do we know about what happened?

 

Researchers in the Lammot du Pont Laboratory "inadvertently produced a small amount of a shock-sensitive explosive chemical" on Feb. 8, according to the university.Delaware State Police's explosive ordnance disposal unit removed the chemicals from the lab on Wednesday and took them to a "safe location" on the South Green for a "controlled detonation" at 5:45 p.m. There were no reported injuries, and all evacuated buildings were reopened for classes the following day.

 

(more at URL above)

 

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