After the discovery of picric acid, the HTL Mödling was evacuated on Tuesday morning. Police and fire specialists were on duty. They were busy securing, removing and disposing of the hazardous material. No one was hurt, Police spokesman Raimund Schwaigerlehner confirmed corresponding media reports.
According to FF Mödling it was A dried chemical was found in a workshop laboratory. About 250 students had to leave the buildings. The defusing service of the Ministry of the Interior was called in, as well as the pollutant advisory service of the Lower Austrian State Fire Brigade Association and the state chemist. The place of events was cordoned off over a large area.
There were similar operations in the Waldviertel almost a year ago. The finding dried picric acid It was necessary to evacuate the Groß-Sieghart secondary school (Waidhofen ad Thaya district) in November 2023 and, a few days later, the new secondary school in Bad Großpertholz (Gmünd district).
What is picric acid?
At room temperature the acid is solid and can hardly be dissolved in water. It is dangerous because it is poisonous and explosive. Not only is it sensitive to heat, but it also reacts to shock and friction.
If it comes into contact with the skin it can cause irritation and if it is swallowed it can cause poisoning.