Ball State building evacuated after old acid found

Updated: Thursday, 17 Jan 2013, 11:11 AM EST
Published : Thursday, 17 Jan 2013, 11:11 AM EST

MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) - A laboratory building at Ball State University was evacuated after staff members discovered a container of a volatile chemical that had apparently sat in a closet for more than 50 years without anyone knowing about it.

The Delaware County sheriff office's bomb squad disposed of the container of picric acid Wednesday after it was found at the Burris Laboratory School.

The Star Press reports the crystallized chemical was found in a chemical storage closet at the end of the school day Tuesday.

Ball State spokesman Tony Proudfoot says environmental experts determined early Wednesday that the chemical should be immediately removed. A chemist said the acid had probably been there since the 1950s.

Students were allowed to return to the building by 2 p.m. Wednesday.

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