A graduate student at MIT, in Cambridge, Massachusetts (USA), went to a local hospital claiming to have synthesized dimethylmercury, one of the most lethal chemical substances in the world. The case generated a maximum security alert that mobilized authorities and closed part of the institute's facilities. The substance is highly toxic and can lead to death even in infinitesimal doses, according to information from NBC Boston newspaper.
The situation triggered an emergency response operation with specialized hazardous materials teams. According to the university administration, the student was not authorized to handle the material, and the experiment was not part of his research schedule.
As a precaution, MIT isolated Building 18, where the student worked, on Wednesday, initiating a rigorous cleaning process. The security protocol extended to common areas on campus.
