Princeton U. Building Evacuated, Three to Hospital Following Chemical Spill

About 300 students people were evacuated from Princeton University's Frist Chemistry Laboratory and three people taken to the hospital following a minor chemical spill on Wednesday on campus, University spokesman Martin Mbugua said.

The incident happened at 1:19 p.m. 

According to Mbugua, a female postdoctoral researcher, who was wearing rubber gloves and eye protection, received minor chemical burns to her face after a glass container of nitric acid in storage cabinet broke and spilled following a chemical reaction with a solvent. The researcher received treatment at the scene and was transported to the University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro. 

A graduate student in the lab at the time, who was not exposed, was evaluated, Mbugua said. A Princeton University Public Safety Officer was also taken to the hospital for evaluation after experiencing tingling in his arm. 

No one else was hurt.

Princeton University Department of Public Safety, Facilities Site Protection, Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad, Princeton Fire Department, Princeton University volunteer firefighters and the Trenton Fire Department’s hazardous materials task force responded to the laboratory on Washington Road. 

Trenton hazardous materials technicians wearing special protective gear were sent into the building to investigate further. By 3:15 p.m., emergency crews were observed leaving the scene.