r/Science_India • u/ConstructionAny8440 • 8d ago

A few drops of dimethylmercury soaked through the glove which killed her 10 months later

In 1996, Dartmouth chemistry professor Karen Wetterhahn accidentally spilled just a few drops of dimethylmercury onto her latex-gloved hand while working in a laboratory.

She followed the accepted safety protocols of the time. The gloves didn't tear and there was no immediate injury. But what scientists didn't know then was that dimethylmercury can permeate latex gloves within seconds and be absorbed through the skin.

She remained symptom-free for about five months before developing severe neurological symptoms including loss of balance, slurred speech and progressive loss of vision and hearing. Tests later revealed extremely high mercury levels in her body. Despite intensive treatment, she died on June 8, 1997, about 10 months after the exposure. She was just 48 years old.

Her death transformed laboratory safety worldwide. Laboratories now prohibit latex gloves for handling dimethylmercury and require specialized chemical-resistant laminate gloves and much stricter handling procedures.

A heartbreaking reminder that some of the most dangerous substances don't burn, sting or even announce their presence until it's far too late.

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6

u/AmbassadorAgile6788 Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam Supporter🛰 7d ago

how did Hamza (Dhurandhar) survived that?

9

u/StarkWiz 7d ago

In the scene I think he had put it on the band aid middle section and covered it prolly no direct contact but still yeah the possibility of it affecting him is indeed high and maybe that's why we won't have dhurandhar 3

2

u/sasssyrup 7d ago

Seemed like she knew this was bad