Lab error led to hazmat situation at NIST in Gaithersburg

I have some additional details on Tuesday's hazmat incident at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg. The specific hazardous material was a combination of nitric acid and methanol often used in the etching of metals, Jennifer Huergo, NIST's Director of Media Relations said.

A researcher working with the substance stored it at room temperature without the venting necessary, Huergo said. Realizing the error, the researcher informed a supervisor, who called NIST's emergency response team. Ultimately, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue hazmat crews were brought in, and a bomb squad robot was utilized to stabilize the situation.

An examination of a similar chemical combination manufactured by Anachemia Chemicals suggests some of the potential concerns and hazards involved. It describes the material as potentially "toxic by inhalation," "severely corrosive to the skin," and says to "use with adequate ventilation."

Its vapor can cause flash fires, according to the Anachemia document, and requires firefighters to use carbon dioxide, chemical powder or foam to extinguish, rather than water.

No injuries were reported in relation to the incident.

Update: Hazmat situation at NIST in Gaithersburg

Updated at 5:10 PM:

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue personnel assisted in the response to a hazmat incident at the National Institute of Standards in Gaithersburg this morning.

The as-yet-unspecified hazardous material was reportedly confined to a laboratory area. That particular building was evacuated as a precaution, MCFRS spokesperson Pete Piringer said.

MCFRS hazmat crews consulted with NIST's own fire chief and personnel on the situation. Ultimately, a county bomb squad robot was brought in to contain and secure the unidentified substance.

As of this update, NIST itself has only described the material as a "contained chemical hazard."

Hopefully we will find out at some point just what the hazardous material is, and what happened in there. I will update this as soon as that information is available.

Photos by Pete Piringer