WACO (October 13, 2009)—The Waco Fire Department’s hazardous materials unit and a Baylor University chemist contained a chemical spill early Tuesday evening that earlier led to the evacuation of about 200 people from the university’s three-story science building.

Roads in the area of the building were closed to traffic as firefighters worked to control the spill.

The chemical involved was isobutyl cyanide, which is toxic and potentially dangerous if ingested, inhaled or absorbed through the skin.

The spill happened at around 3 p.m. Tuesday in a second floor research lab.

A female graduate student was removing vials of the chemical from a packing case when one of the vials fell to the floor.

The student, whose name wasn’t released, placed the vial under a containment hood.

Only about 1 milliliter of the substance was spilled, a university spokeswoman said.

That’s less than a teaspoonful, but enough to be dangerous.

The graduate student spilled a small amount on her coat, but didn’t inhale the fuels.

She was checked out at the scene and then released.

Firefighters used sand to contain the spill and then the Baylor chemist neutralized the substance.

The lab in which the spill occurred is airtight and self-ventilating and will remained closed through the night.

Officials said the rest of the building should be reopened by around 6 p.m.