The incident happened when the three members of the Technical, Management, and Services Staff (PTGAS) were handling nitric acid, transferring it from a large container to smaller bottles. One of the bottles fell to the floor, leading to exposure to the substance.
The affected individuals immediately activated the emergency protocol, alerting 112, using the emergency showers, and leaving the laboratory on foot. They received medical attention at the Joan XXIII and Santa Tecla hospitals in Tarragona. According to official sources, they are stable and out of danger.
The Vice-Rector for Infrastructure and Relations with Health Institutions, Fàtima Sabench, explained that the handling was carried out following all safety regulations and that no students were present at the time of the accident. The deans of the faculties, Joan Carvajal (Chemistry) and Manuel Suàrez (Enology), highlighted that the prompt action with the emergency showers helped dilute the contaminant.
The Bombers de la Generalitat (Firefighters of Catalonia) intervened to clean and decontaminate the area. The Dean of Chemistry, Joan Carvajal, emphasized that nitric acid is a commonly used product in laboratories and the chemical industry, with the primary risk being burns, and ruled out any risk of a chemical contamination cloud.
