Crime & Safety

Man Receives Chemical Burns at Haz-mat Safety Lab

The man was taken to Medstar for treatment.

One man was transported to an area hospital this afternoon after receiving chemical burns at a Gaithersburg lab facility, fire and rescue officials said.

Beth Anne Nesselt, a spokeswoman for County Fire and Rescue Service, said rescue workers were called to the scene in the 8500 block of Atlas Drive at 1:21 p.m. for a possible chemical burn.

Nesselt did not know the chemicals that were involved.

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The lab is owned by Geomet Technologies, which is based in Germantown, and specialized in making hazmat suits and ensuring chemical safety, according to their website.

A slogan on the front page of Geomet's website says "GEOMET is focused on protecting people, property, and the environment."

Find out what's happening in Gaithersburgwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The victim was burned by a flash fire, Nesselt said, and was in stable condition when he was transported to Medstart for treatment.

The original call to fire and rescue service came in as a hazardous material incident, but rescue workers quickly realized it was an isolated incident and there was no danger to the public.


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