On the 2nd, it was pointed out that Chungnam National University in Daejeon, where a laboratory explosion occurred, had assigned a first-year graduate student who had not received safety training to dispose of chemical waste and did not adhere to the principles of classifying unused chemical waste according to the characteristics of the waste solution. Additionally, the lack of proper protective gear exacerbated the damage.
On the 6th, according to materials submitted by Chungnam National University to the Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee, the explosion that occurred at 10:22 a.m. on the 2nd in the Industry-Academic Cooperation Education Research Building was caused by a first-year master's student disposing of unused chemicals in the organic molecular synthesis laboratory, mixing chromium oxide, a different substance, with acetone in the same waste container, resulting in a chemical reaction. The graduate student suffered second-degree burns on the face and neck and was hospitalized at a burn specialty hospital in Daejeon.
According to the guide for laboratory installation and operation standards, it is advised to dispose of unused chemicals in their containers, but the laboratory did not follow the guide and poured the chemicals into the waste solution container for disposal. Additionally, according to the Hazardous Materials Safety Management Act, chromium oxide (IV) is a Class 1 hazardous material (oxidizing solid), and its mixture with acetone, which is a Class 4 hazardous material (flammable liquid), is prohibited, but this was also not observed.
The student involved in the incident participated in this experiment without completing the group safety training conducted in April. Although the student was wearing a lab coat and gloves at the time of the accident, the lack of face protection such as goggles and a mask led to greater damage.
Earlier, on the 4th of last month, an explosion occurred in a laboratory at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in Daejeon, causing a fire that resulted in one person sustaining lacerations and burns on the face, back, and hands, necessitating hospitalization. In April, there was an explosion involving sulfuric acid in a laboratory at Hanyang University.
Chairperson Choi Min-hee noted, "Incidents of the same fire and explosion have occurred three times this year in laboratories where the talents who will lead the future of Korea in the 21st century reside," and pointed out, "I have directed the Ministry of Science and ICT to conduct a comprehensive inspection of laboratory safety-related systems in the previous two instances, but it has remained stagnant."
He urged, "I hope the new government will actively work with the National Assembly to establish preventive measures for laboratory safety accidents."