Chemical Spill Causes Two Hour Evacuation of Two Campus Buildings

Kyle Curry

Two shelves in this chemical storage cabinet collapsed, breaking several glass containers on the floor

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Two shelves of a cabinet in a chemical storage room of the Agriculture Building collapsed shortly after 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6, dumping several glass bottles filled with chemicals on the floor, where they broke, spilling the chemicals.

One researcher was in room 120 at the time of the spill, but was uninjured.

University of Arkansas police evacuated faculty and staff from the Agriculture Building and the Plant Sciences Building next to it. There were no classes being held in either building.

The Fayetteville Fire Department Hazardous Materials unit was called to investigate and worked with U of A Emergency Management and Environmental Health and Safety staff to find out what chemicals had spilled. It was determined that the spill was contained and posed no health risk, but that the chemicals needed cleaned up quickly to prevent possible reactions. 

Environmental Health and Safety staff worked with Professor Bill Durham of the chemistry and biochemistry department to carefully and quickly move the chemicals. The chemicals were placed in containers and moved to a hazmat storage area.

Fans were placed in the Agriculture Building to air it out, and faculty and staff were allowed to return to the two buildings at about noon.  

The cleanup was completed at 1 p.m.

RazALERT emergency messages were sent to the campus announcing the spill and evacuation, followed by an “all clear” message after faculty and staff were able to return to the buildings.