Saturday, June 18, 2016

Lab explosion in Middleton, WI injures 1. Employee suffers minor injuries



Lab explosion in Middleton, WI injures 1
Employee wearing protective equipment suffers minor injuries, spokesman says

Updated On: Jun 17 2016 09:13:35 AM CDT





Doug Wahl
MIDDLETON, Wis. -

One person was injured Wednesday in a lab explosion at a business in Middleton.


Firefighters were called at 1:13 p.m. to Pharmaceutical Product Development Corp. at 8551 Research Way on a report of an explosion.

PPD spokesman Randy Buckwalter said the incident involved the release of pressurized helium, a non-toxic, inert, non-flammable gas, isolated section of the building.

The building was briefly evacuated, and all employees returned to work by 2 p.m.

One employee suffered minor burns and he was treated at the scene. He was wearing all required personal protective equipment, Buckwalter said.

There was no damage to the building.

Buckwalter said the "laboratory equipment incident" did not cause an environmental impact and facility operations returned to normal Wednesday.