Student critical after accidentally ingesting chemical

Last Update: 11/05 6:20 pm

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WICHITA, Kansas – A University of Kansas student is fighting for his life after ingesting a chemical while working in a campus chemistry lab.

It happened Wednesday night when the student somehow ingested sodium azide, a common chemical that’s extremely dangerous if swallowed.

“He was at Mallot, left, went home,” said Mike Russell with the University of Kansas. “After being home for a little while he did not feel well. At some point that condition must've bothered him or worried him and an individual took him to the hospital.”

Authorities evacuated both Malott Hall and another building nearby, but determined there was no sort of chemical spill. They were only able to talk to the poisoned student briefly before his condition worsened. Now they’re trying to figure out how he may have ingested the chemical.

“One of the things we'll look at is lab safety protocol and whether it was properly followed and what he did to end up like he ended up,” said Chris Keary with the KU Police Department.

Sodium azide is an odorless, white powder that looks similar to table salt. It’s used commercially to deploy airbags after accidents.

Dr. Erach Talaty, from Wichita State University’s chemistry department, says it’s not an uncommon chemical to find in a university lab. But he says it’s extremely dangerous if swallowed.

“Less than 2/1000ths of an ounce of sodium azide can cause blood pressure to plummet and heartbeat to skyrocket, so after less than five minutes the guy could be in a coma,” Dr. Talaty said.

KU isn’t releasing the student’s name or where he’s from. Officials say his family members have been notified and are with him at the hospital.

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