Physics Building chemical spill turns out to be false alarm

Classes and labs were suspended Wednesday after a strong odor mistaken for a chemical spill prompted University Police to evacuate the Physics Building for about eight hours.
A professor and UP officer set off an alarm in the building at 7:17 a.m., fearful that they smelled fluorine — a toxic chemical and irritant that causes physical harm if inhaled or touched.
When dispatched to the building, however, Tampa Fire Rescue (TFR) could not find the odor’s source.
TFR ultimately decided that the odor likely came from cleaning solvents that were not vented properly overnight, resulting in the concentration of odor.
“It turns out that it was probably not a dangerous chemical,” said University spokesman Michael Hoad.
USF’s MoBull emergency text-messaging system warned students at 8:04 a.m. of the possible spill and told them to avoid the Physics Building until the area was cleared.
By 4 p.m., the building reopened and classes resumed.
Hoad said the University sticks by its decision to send out the MoBull alert and cancel classes, saying it is better not to have put students, faculty or staff at risk.
At least 45,000 students received the message.
More Stories
USF professors weigh in after US strikes on Iran nuclear sites
Kyle Burke has seen the U.S. enter multiple Middle Eastern conflicts, such as Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq in 2003. Still, he said he wasn’t surprised when he saw the U.S. enter another in June. Burke, a USF history professor, has been studying and teaching U.S. foreign relations for nearly two decades. “I had a […]
USF’s presidential search slowed in spring, now resumes with new firm
The USF presidential search committee announced this month its plans to move forward with a new search firm in its pursuit of a new university president. In May, USF spokesperson Althea Johnson told The Oracle that USF would move forward with its presidential search after its initial search firm — SP&A Executive Search — finished […]
USF rocket team takes flight in NASA competition despite challenges
In a field in Alabama, USF Society of Aeronautics and Rocketry members waited for Prometheus — the rocket they’d spent nine months crafting — to take flight. USF’s SOAR was among the 53 teams that launched their rockets for the NASA Student Launch in Huntsville on May 4. The USF team placed 18th after launching […]
USF international students navigate travel under new visa limitations
With a ban restricting visa issuance and entry into the U.S. in effect, USF student Arshia Esmaeilian said he is afraid his parents might not be able to see him graduate next year unless the ban is lifted. “I didn’t really ask for this,” said Esmaeilian, a senior chemistry major. “It’s just something I have […]
USF’s Marshall Student Center to reduce hours amid budget constraints
USF’s Marshall Student Center will operate under reduced hours starting in the upcoming fall semester. New operating hours will go into effect starting on Aug. 17 as listed below: Monday–Thursday: Changing from 7 a.m.–midnight to 8 a.m.–11 p.m. Friday: Changing from 7 a.m.–1 a.m. to 8 a.m.–midnight Saturday: Changing from 8 a.m.–1 a.m. to 8 […]
USF, Crisis Center step up hurricane prep as anxiety lingers from last season
With the arrival of hurricane season in Tampa, USF students – particularly those new to South Florida – may be experiencing increased stress or anxiety after the 2024 season. Running from June 1 to Nov. 30, hurricane season marks the period when tropical storms form and intensify in the Atlantic Ocean, according to the National […]