Emergency teams, including hazardous materials specialists, have carefully secured and removed a 110-year-old first aid kit containing picric acid, an early 20th-century antiseptic that was also used in explosives and can become highly unstable and detonate in a dried, crystallised state.
On Sunday, 29 December 2024, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services crews were called to Glenmore Street following the detection of the substance, believed to date back more than a century. The bright yellow chemical, known for its use in explosives during World War I, was reportedly part of a first aid kit from the 1910s.
To ensure community safety, authorities established a 100-metre exclusion zone while scientific teams identified the material.
What Is Picric Acid?
In the early 1900s, picric acid was often included in burn dressings and other medical supplies or first aid kits. It was also used during wartime in bombs and grenades due to its similarity to TNT. Over time, the compound can become increasingly volatile, especially if stored improperly.
Picric acid is highly sensitive when crystallised. Experts warn that dried picric acid can detonate under heat, impact, or friction, making it a significant hazard if mishandled.
According to Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, the substance found in Kallangur had not spilled, and no immediate injuries were reported. However, the discovery highlights the ongoing risks of ageing chemicals in everyday environments.
Community Safety and Response
Emergency teams, including hazardous materials specialists, carefully secured and removed the 110-year-old explosive. Queensland Police confirmed that the picric acid was safely disposed of with no threat to the public.
Residents in the area expressed relief at the swift action of emergency responders. A fire department representative stated that discoveries like this underscore the importance of immediate reporting and professional disposal of hazardous materials.
Similar discoveries have been reported in Australia, including an incident a decade ago when an elderly woman brought a dried-out bottle of picric acid to a police station in Brisbane. In these cases, emergency teams typically detonates the materials in controlled environments to prevent accidents.
Authorities Urge Caution
Officials urge anyone who discovers suspicious or potentially hazardous materials to leave them untouched and immediately contact emergency services. Authorities emphasised that handling such materials requires extreme caution, noting past incidents where picric acid was mishandled, leading to evacuations and injuries.
Published 31-Dec-2024
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