An unidentified graduate student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) reported to medical personnel that he believed he had synthesized dimethylmercury, a highly toxic mercury compound. ^[1] Karen Wetterhahn, a chemistry professor at Dartmouth College, died on June 8, 1997, at the age of 48 following a fatal exposure to dimethylmercury. ^[2] On August 14, 1996, drops of dimethylmercury penetrated Wetterhahn's protective gloves in less than 15 seconds, entering her body despite her adherence to safety protocols. ^[3] MIT has not yet said definitively whether the student succeeded in making the chemical, leaving the central question of the incident unresolved even after the emergency response and cleanup. ^[4] The incident triggered a hazardous materials response and prompted MIT to close Building 18, part of its chemistry complex, while emergency crews and university officials assessed the situation. ^[5] On January 28, 1997, Wetterhahn's blood was confirmed to contain 4,000 micrograms of mercury per liter, indicating severe intoxication. ^[6] The incident revealed that standard protective gloves were insufficient against dimethylmercury, which can penetrate various glove materials in seconds. ^[7]