KCBD, NewsChannel 11 Lubbock |3:40 p.m. Texas Tech Chemistry Building Evacuated
Member Center:
A chemical scare at Texas Tech shut down the Chemistry building for 5 hours Thursday.
Around 11am, a PhD-level grad student working in a chemistry lab caused a negative reaction with nitrogen gas and that essentially shut down the chemistry building.
Nitrogen is a naturally forming gas in our atmosphere. It typically isn't dangerous unless it is warmed up and contained. That's when the gas activates causing loud, popping noises.
In a news conference Thursday afternoon the university's public information officer said that the danger level was extremely low and that nobody was hurt and that there was no damage to the building. However out of concern for student safety the building was evacuated.
The Lubbock Fire Department, EMS, ATF, haz-mat teams and Texas Tech's Fire Marshal were all on the scene and no injuries were reported.
