LAWRENCE, Kan. -- A University of Kansas graduate student is in critical condition after accidentally ingesting a toxic chemical.
University of Kansas officials held a news conference Thursday, regarding the accidental poisoning of a graduate student. It happened late Wednesday night in a lab in Malott Hall.
The chemical, sodium azide, is a white crystalline powder that's commonly used in lab research. The university won't say how, but the student accidentally ingested the chemical.
The student went home, but a friend took him to the hospital after he complained of breathing problems.
Staff at Lawrence Memorial Hospital notified KU of the incident.
Mike Russell is the director of KU's Environmental Health and Safety department. He was was among the KU staff members answering questions following the poisoning.
"A lot of different chemicals can affect a lot of different people in a lot of different ways. This is an acute toxicity material. It doesn't take a lot of this material to cause adverse health reactions," said Russell.
KU officials closed Malott Hall and adjoining Haworth Hall to check for any chemical spills. Both halls were reopened early Thursday morning.
KU officials are not releasing the student's name. They tell us he's in critical but stable condition.
