Alice Springs Hospital today took the precautionary step of removing a substance from the Pathology building that had become potentially unstable.
During a stock-take of a storeroom in the Pathology building a container of Picric Acid, was found to have crystallised and as result may have become unstable.
This substance was used by the Pathology Lab but has not in recent years.
Advice was sought from Occupational Health and Safety, NT Work Safe and the Emergency Service and steps were immediately taken to make the area safe.
General Manager, Vicki Taylor, said the Police today removed and dispose of the container outside the hospital grounds without incident.
"We are pleased that our procedures in dealing with incidents at our Hospital have been shown to work successfully and this incident was managed smoothly and with no affect on hospital operations." "It was an unusual occurrence and we thank the NT Police for their quick action."
Media contact: Sonia Peters 0401 119 550.
Release date: 19 June 2008
