A chemical reaction in a research laboratory resulted in the evacuation and closing of Gilman Hall on Thursday afternoon.

The building was closed for 45 minutes as a precautionary measure while the Ames Fire Department, ISU Department of Environmental Health and Safety and ISU Police worked to contain and remove a reaction of methyl lithium bromide with air in 2631 Gilman, a research laboratory. Methyl lithium bromide is highly reactive to air and water, said ISU Police Capt. Gene Deisinger.

“With further exposure, [there is a] risk of flash fire,” he said.

The smell of ether, which methyl lithium bromide is stored in, serves as a warning that a reaction is taking place, Deisinger said. This was how a student working in the research laboratory realized something was wrong.

“The chemical was refrigerated, supposed to be kept under refrigeration,” said David Inyang, director of environmental health and safety. “From what I understand, the student took it out of the fridge for use and noticed that it was bubbling and smelled ether. At that point, the student backed away and called DPS.”

The name of the student who discovered the reaction has not yet been released.

Inyang said he is not sure why the reaction took place. There is a possibility that, since the methyl lithium bromide reacted with the air, the lid to the container wasn’t on tightly enough.

CyRide buses were re-routed during the building closure, and the public was kept at a distance from the building while officials cleared Gilman Hall.

Two trucks from the Ames Fire Department, including a hazardous materials truck, were stationed outside of the building as students watched. Classes were canceled for the time period when the building was closed.

No person or property was harmed, and there is no current risk of contamination, Deisinger said.

One hundred milliliters of the chemical were taken to Iowa State’s Chemical Waste Handling facility to be properly disposed of, Deisinger said.