Chemistry accident at US high school prompts changes
After a chemistry demonstration sparks a fire that injures six, a county in Virginia halts use of open flames in science classes
A chemical experiment gone wrong has caused serious injuries to five students and their chemistry teacher at a suburban Washington DC, US high school. The accident on 30 October has led to some immediate policy changes.
A fire was reportedly sparked by the ‘rainbow’ demonstration that shows how different metals produce flames in different colours when mixed with flammable solvents like methanol.
In response to three such accidents over an eight-week period in 2014 that injured children and adults, the CSB issued a safety bulletin highlighting key lessons for preventing such incidents. The board also released a safety message featuring a young woman who was burned over 40% of her body during a similar chemistry demonstration at her high school back in 2006.
Rebecca Trager reports
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