While working as a research chemist at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, US Karen Wetterhahn was studying the impact heavy metals have, but it was a simple accident that led to her untimely death
A teacher and scientist suffered a horrific death from just a tiny droplet – no bigger than a raindrop – of a single chemical that touched her skin.
Karen Wetterhahn was working as a research chemist at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, US, studying how heavy metals affect living organisms when she unwittingly became part of her own experiment.
During the summer of 1996, the scientist was handling a chemical called dimethylmercury when a microscopic drop fell from her pipette tip onto her latex glove.
Though she followed all safety protocols and immediately replaced her gloves with a fresh pair, it was already too late – the compound had penetrated through to her skin and entered her bloodstream without her knowledge.
Karen remained completely unaware of what was occurring inside her body until months later when she started experiencing symptoms, reports the Express.
These alarming signs included difficulty with balance, problems with speech and vision, leading to her hospital admission the following January.
Medical tests revealed Karen was suffering from mercury poisoning – but not just mild exposure, her levels were a staggering 4000 times above the safe threshold.
According to reports, Dr Ben Miles highlighted just how lethal this single droplet proved to be, warning that one drop of the clear substance can “change your life forever”. He explained: “Not immediately, but so inevitably that doctors can only watch as your brain slowly disintegrates. This is the horrifying reality of dimethylmercury… Once inside the body, dimethylmercury decomposes, releasing mercury ions that bind aggressively to sulphur atoms..
“Which are in particularly high abundance within the neurones of the brain and central nervous system. Robbed of the sulphur that they need, those neurones begin to malfunction and die.”
It’s believed the substance can swiftly penetrate clothing layers and penetrate the skin in just 15 seconds.
Whilst doctors acted quickly to eliminate the mercury from her body, the harm was already irreversible.
Gradually, 10 months following her exposure, Karen fell into a coma that left her dependent on life support and ultimately claimed her life.
Tests showed her mercury levels soared 17 days after the incident and reached their peak at 39 days, sparking her sudden deterioration.
This tragic mishap created a lasting impact Karen left in scientific and research circles.
This includes the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, which has established an award in her memory.
Consequently, fresh safety measures were implemented in laboratories handling dimethylmercury, recognising its proven capacity to penetrate substances including latex, PVC and neoprene. A 1998 report explains: “The gloves used in this incident were disposable latex examination gloves, and subsequent permeation testing of the gloves by a certified, independent testing laboratory indicated that the chemical permeates latex, PVC, and neoprene almost instantaneously.”