After the Rainbow

USCSB
10 Dec 201304:55

Summary

TLDRIn 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

  • πŸ§ͺ 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.
  • πŸ”¬ 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.
  • πŸ”₯ Methanol Explosion: The chemical used in the demonstration, methanol, exploded when poured onto an open flame, causing severe injuries to Calais.
  • πŸ₯ 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.
  • πŸ’” Psychological Impact: The accident left Calais with lasting psychological trauma, including vivid hallucinations of being on fire and explosions.
  • πŸ›‘οΈ 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.
  • πŸ—£οΈ Speaking Up for Safety: Calais encourages students to voice concerns if they feel unsafe and to question safety information provided in a lab setting.
  • πŸ“š 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.

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Related Tags
Chemistry LabSafety IssuesAccident StoryLab ExplosionMethanolPreventableSafety GearEducationalSurvivorSafety Board