CEI evacuates building after finding hydrofluoric gas in container on campus; zero exposure occurred

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – One of the major buildings at College of Eastern Idaho was evacuated Tuesday afternoon, after a cylinder of hydrofluoric gas was located during a routine laboratory inventory on campus.

Students and staff in Building 5 received a text from the college at 1:56 P.M. Tuesday, asking them to gather their supplies and leave the premises.

In a message to students, faculty and staff Wednesday morning, CEI President Lori Barber explained, “As part of an ongoing review and modernization of CEI's chemistry program and laboratory chemical inventory, college personnel identified a legacy chemical cylinder that requires specialized handling and disposal.”

After the Idaho Falls Fire Department investigated, they determined the chemical is sealed inside the cylinder and has not been released.

The laboratory stockroom was immediately closed, and CEI personnel decided to expand the closure to the entire building out of an abundance of caution.

The closure impacts 34 classes, reports CEI Associate Communications Director Brenna Pincock. Several have been relocated to nearby buildings, and the majority are being taught virtually.

Building five includes “science laboratories, math, English, electrical apprenticeships, communications, theater and business classes,” Pincock shared. “It is home to CEI’s library, tutoring center, and the Center for New Directions.”

The college is working with a “qualified hazardous materials service” to safely handle and dispose of the material.

The building will remain closed until future notice.

Stanford University reports that “exposure to HF can cause severe tissue damage and even death. The fluoride ions in hydrofluoric gas readily bind calcium and magnesium, reducing their levels in the blood, resulting in hypotension and cardiac effects.”

According to the Center for Disease Control, the chemical is used to make “refrigerants, herbicides, pharmaceuticals, high-octane gasoline, and fluorescent light bulbs.”

“The safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff is always our highest priority,” said Barber. “When this material was identified during a routine inventory review, we took immediate precautionary steps to protect our campus community. While we recognize that the temporary closure may cause some disruption, we believe taking a proactive approach and working with the appropriate safety professionals is the responsible thing to do.”