Archive · 31 Aug 2026
MIT Building Reopens After Dangerous Toxic Chemical Scare
An MIT student reportedly made a very dangerous chemical called dimethyl mercury.
The chemical can seriously poison people even in a tiny amount.
MIT closed a building because officials were worried about possible contamination.
Experts cleaned the student’s residence and other surfaces.
The student is being watched by doctors.
So far, blood tests have not found mercury exposure in the student.
Officials are not certain that the chemical was actually made.
MIT said the building was safe to reopen on August 31.
An MIT student reportedly synthesized dimethyl mercury without authorization on August 26.
MIT closed Building 18 after the compound’s reported synthesis and began specialized decontamination.
Dimethyl mercury is extremely toxic; OSHA says less than 0.1 millilitres can be a severely toxic dose.
The student remains under medical supervision, while blood tests have shown no mercury exposure.
MIT said residence-hall surfaces and individual units were decontaminated, allowing Building 18 to reopen on August 31.
- Who
- An unnamed Massachusetts Institute of Technology student, MIT officials, medical experts, and decontamination professionals were involved.
- What
- A student reportedly synthesized dimethyl mercury without authorization, prompting a building closure and decontamination effort.
- When
- The reported synthesis occurred on August 26; MIT issued a statement on August 29, completed decontamination by August 30, and planned reopening for 6 a.m. on August 31.
- Where
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, including Building 18 and the student’s residence hall.
- Why
- The building was closed as a precaution because dimethyl mercury is highly toxic and officials were concerned about possible contamination.
- Chemical
- Dimethyl mercury
- Reported synthesis
- August 26
- Toxicity threshold
- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration says less than 0.1 millilitres is a severely toxic dose.
- Student’s medical status
- The student is under medical supervision, and blood tests have shown no mercury exposure.
- Building status
- Building 18 was closed and scheduled to reopen at 6 a.m. on August 31.
- Decontamination
- Professional cleaning of residence-hall surfaces and individual units was completed by August 30.
- Earlier death
- Dartmouth College professor Karen Wetterhahn died in 1997 after spilling a few drops of dimethyl mercury on her glove.