Labs closed as student falls ill
Police in Southampton and the Health and Safety Executive are investigating after a 25-year-old Southampton University PHD chemistry student became ill - chemicals are being tested.
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Labs reopen after student poisoned
A number of science labs at Southampton University are due to reopen today after closing when a student became ill with chemical poisoning.
Tests revealed the 25-year old PhD chemistry student had arsenic and the highly toxic metal thallium in his body.
The man is being treated at a specialist toxicology unit in Cardiff following the incident more than three weeks ago,
A police investigation is underway but officers say the chemicals are not transmittable and may not be connected with the university at all.
Poisoned student remains in hospital
A postgraduate student from Southampton University remains in hospital after he became ill with chemical poisoning. Tests revealed the 25-year old chemistry student, who fell ill three weeks ago, had arsenic and the highly toxic metal Thallium in his body.
He is being treated in Cardiff at a specialist toxicology unit. His condition is not known. Labs at the university remain closed as a precaution and a police investigation is under way.
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Chemistry labs closed after student's illness
Video of the chemistry labs, closed at Southampton University. Tests revealed chemicals including arsenic were in the 25-year-old student's body. Specialist officers from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service are examining a property in Burgess Road
Labs cordoned off after student's illness
Picture just in: lab closed after student poisoned
Student ill: chemicals in body
Police in Southampton and the HSE are investigating after a 25-year-old Southampton University chemistry student became ill.
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Southampton University statement on chemicals
"We can confirm that a PHD student has been found with a quantity of the chemicals thallium and arsenic in his body, after feeling unwell for a few weeks. The University is working closely with all relevant agencies to establish how the student came into contact with these substances.
"As a precautionary measure the University has closed Buildings 30 and 30a on our Highfield Campus. We would like to reassure students, staff and the public that this is an isolated incident and may not be linked to the University.
We take the safety of our students and staff very seriously and those that work in the relevant areas of the University will be given the opportunity for voluntary screening.
Our student support staff are in touch with the student and their family and providing support."
'No risk to public health' after student's poisoning
Police say they have no reason to believe that there is any risk to public health. They are keeping an open mind as to how the student was exposed to chemicals. Police are holding the inquiry along with the Health and Safety Executive.
Police statement on chemistry labs incident
"It has already been established this does not relate to any leak or airborne emission from the buildings and is not transmittable and may not be connected with the University at all. The affected student is currently being treated at a specialist toxicology unit at a hospital in Cardiff."
Breaking: labs closed because of student's illness
Tests have now established that the student's body had a quantity of the chemicals thallium and arsenic. It’s is not known at this stage how the chemicals entered the student’s body but as a precaution Southampton University has closed some of its research chemistry labs.