After the Rainbow

Summary

In 2006, Calais Webber, a 15-year-old chemistry enthusiast, suffered life-altering burns during a chemistry lab demonstration known as the 'Rainbow Experiment' involving methanol. The incident, which occurred without proper safety measures like safety gear and in an unsafe location, led to a chemical explosion that engulfed her in flames. Webber's harrowing experience, including a chemically induced coma and hallucinations, underscores the critical importance of laboratory safety. Her story, which includes a call to action for students to voice safety concerns, inspired the Chemical Safety Board to focus on laboratory safety issues.

Takeaways

• 🧪 Calais Webber's life-changing event: A 15-year-old student at a prestigious boarding school in Ohio, Calais Webber, had a life-altering accident during a chemistry lab in 2006.
• 🔬 Passion for Chemistry: Calais was a model and loved school, particularly chemistry, before the accident.
• 🌈 The Rainbow Experiment: The incident involved a demonstration of different chemicals burning at various light frequencies, resulting in flames of different colors.
• 🚫 Lack of Safety Protocols: The teacher did not require students to wear safety gear and performed the experiment on a desk instead of a safety hood.
• 🔥 Methanol Explosion: The chemical used in the demonstration, methanol, exploded when poured onto an open flame, causing severe injuries to Calais.
• 🏥 Prolonged Hospital Stay: Calais spent two and a half months in the hospital, including a week in a chemically induced coma and four days of hallucinations after waking up.
• 💔 Psychological Impact: The accident left Calais with lasting psychological trauma, including vivid hallucinations of being on fire and explosions.
• 🛡️ Preventable Accident: The script emphasizes that the accident was preventable with proper safety measures, such as performing the experiment in a hood and wearing safety gear.
• 🗣️ Speaking Up for Safety: Calais encourages students to voice concerns if they feel unsafe and to question safety information provided in a lab setting.
• 📚 Acceptance and Advocacy: Despite her injuries, Calais has accepted her situation and now advocates for laboratory safety to prevent similar accidents.
• 🎶 Music and Narrative: The script is punctuated with music and narration that underscore the emotional gravity of Calais's story and the importance of safety.

Q & A

What was Calais Webber's interest before the accident?

Calais Webber was a 15-year-old student who loved school, especially chemistry, and worked as a model.

What year did the accident involving Calais Webber occur?

The accident involving Calais Webber occurred in 2006.

What was the experiment that led to Calais Webber's accident called?

The experiment was called the Rainbow Experiment, intended to demonstrate how different chemicals burn at different light frequencies.

What was the chemical used in the Rainbow Experiment?

Methanol was the chemical used in the Rainbow Experiment.

Why was the teacher's approach to the Rainbow Experiment unsafe?

The teacher performed the experiment on her desk without safety gear and used extra accelerants, which was unsafe.

What happened during the Rainbow Experiment that caused the explosion?

The teacher poured a gallon-sized jug of clear liquid, which was methanol, onto an open flame, causing an explosion.

How did Calais Webber get injured in the explosion?

Calais Webber was right in front of the experiment when it exploded, receiving the brunt of the blast.

How long was Calais Webber in the hospital after the accident?

Calais Webber was in the hospital for two and a half months.

What medical procedure was Calais Webber subjected to after the accident?

Calais Webber was put into a chemically induced coma for about a week.

What were the hallucinations Calais Webber experienced after coming out of the coma?

Calais Webber hallucinated about being on fire, the teacher, her school, and explosions everywhere for four days.

What safety measures should have been in place to prevent the accident, according to Calais Webber?

The experiment should have been performed in a hood, no extra accelerants should have been present, and all students should have been wearing safety gear.

What advice does Calais Webber give to students regarding safety in the lab?

Calais Webber advises students to speak up if they feel unsafe, to always question, and to read any information given on safety.

How does Calais Webber feel about her injury now?

Calais Webber has accepted her injury and is at a place in her life where she wouldn't wish it on anyone else.