The Robarts Research Institute building on the Western campus has re-opened following an explosion in a lab earlier this afternoon.
A research technician was injured in that explosion, which was contained to a lower-level lab in Robarts on Tuesday afternoon, according to Campus Community Police Service (CCPS). The Western staff member received minor chemical burns while working with rubidium, a chemical agent that reacts with water, on imaging research. The staff member was treated at the scene by EMS and then taken to hospital.
The building was evacuated, as a precaution, following the incident to ensure air quality within the building was safe. The entire heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system was flushed as a double-check before people were allowed back into the building.
No estimates are available concerning damage to the lab.
CCPS and Occupational Health and Safety at Western are investigating the incident.
