Was there a dimethylmercury poisoning at MIT? Alleged email leaked as Building 18 remains shut amid emergency

MIT’s Building 18 was closed for decontamination after one student was exposed to unauthorized material, reportedly dimethylmercury, though unverified. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) Building 18, or the chemistry building, which houses one of the largest labs on the campus, has been closed since Friday night for "specialized decontamination efforts."Representational. (Unsplash)According to an emergency notification shared on the university's website, "only one student was exposed" to an "unauthorized" material - which has not been named - leading to the contamination of the labs inside the building. The school said the specialized decontamination effort is underway "out of an abundance of caution.""As has been shared with those who work in the building, based on the information available to the department, industrial hygienists, MIT Health medical experts, and other resources consulted, the risk of secondary or tertiary exposures is low, given the compound's characteristics and the information available," the emergency notification added.But more shocking details are coming from insiders at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, despite there being no further information via official channels.Also read: Will Nashville airport be renamed after Dolly Parton? Tennessee plans to honor music iconWhat Happened At Building 18?Details about the incident remain sparse, and no information has been officially released beyond the university's alert. Law enforcement in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, has also not officially addressed the situation yet. But a leaked email, allegedly from Matthew D. Shoulders, the head of the MIT Chemistry department, has surfaced on social media in which more details of the incident have emerged - many of which are shocking.Ht.com could not independently verify the authenticity of the email.In the email, Shoulders allegedly states that the "reported use of dimethyl mercury was unauthorized" and adds that the school “does not allow the purchase or synthesis of dimethyl mercury.”Dimethylmercury is extremely poisonous, among the most toxic mercury compounds known. Tiny exposures can cause severe, delayed neurological damage, and a few drops absorbed through the skin can be fatal. It can penetrate some common laboratory gloves, making accidental exposure particularly dangerous. There is no specific antidote or reliable cure for dimethylmercury poisoning.The potential dangers of dimethylmercury led to the claim spreading on social media that the student who was allegedly exposed died from it.Ht.com could not independently confirm whether the compound in question is indeed dimethylmercury and the current condition of the student allegedly exposed to it.Incident Brings Back Karen Wetterhahn MemoriesThe reports of the incident brought back memories of the August 1996 death of Dartmouth College chemistry professor Karen Wetterhahn. She accidentally spilt a few drops of dimethylmercury onto her latex-gloved hand. The chemical penetrated the glove and entered her body without causing any immediate warning signs.About five months later, she developed severe neurological symptoms including loss of balance, impaired vision and slurred speech. Despite intensive treatment, she deteriorated into a coma and died on June 8, 1997, aged 48.Shamik is a journalist covering the United States for Hindustan Times. He has more than four years of experience reporting on US politics, sports, and major breaking stories across fast-moving cycles. He previously worked at Times Now and Sportskeeda, building strong newsroom instincts and digital storytelling skills. At HT.com, he focuses on day-to-day coverage of US political developments while also handling high-impact stories that demand speed, accuracy, clarity, and context under pressure. Shamik has extensive experience covering NFL game days over the past two years, coordinating live updates, analysis, and explainers. He is particularly drawn to large news moments such as US elections and the Super Bowl, where he thrives at the news desk working alongside the team. He holds degrees in Media Studies from Jamia Millia Islamia and English Literature from Jadavpur University. Before entering journalism, he briefly worked in digital marketing and political consultancy roles. Currently a Senior Content Producer at HT Digital, he is driven by curiosity, discipline, and a constant desire to explore new and obscure topics. Outside work, he enjoys reading, films, sports, and learning continuously.Read More