10 Chemical Vials Stolen From University of Waterloo Researchers
May 24, 2009 by national
Filed under Homeland Security News
Police are searching for 10 vials of a deadly substance after it was stolen from a group of University of Waterloo students who were doing research at a nearby river.
Students were conducting water tests at Moyer’s Landing Park along Grand River in Cambridge around 9 a.m. Saturday when they noticed 10 vials of sodium azide had been taken from a cooler at the research site, said Waterloo regional police.
The stolen goods are being described as clear liquid inside clear glass vials with vacuum seal tops. Each vial contains about 160 mL of the chemical.
According to the Ontario Poison Centre, the chemical can enter humans through skin contact, inhalation, ingestion and intravenous injection.
While it may produce a pungent odour when reacting to metals or other liquids, the Centre for Disease Control warns that by the time a victim notices the smell, it may be too late.
Symptoms of consumption include low blood pressure, diarrhea, vomiting, central nervous system depression causing sleepiness or even comas, chest pain, heart rhythm problems, shortness of breath, seizures and acute heart attacks.
Exposure can be fatal if left untreated.
What are the security protocols in place for regulation and control of this substance? The story would be greatly enhanced if this information were made part of the digest.
What kind of research required dangerous chemicals ON SITE? Couldn’t they have taken samples back to a lab and kept the potential problem indoors? If they took the chemicals to the river, they probably had equipment too. Why wasn’t there a University staff member there to keep an eye on things?