A bottle of crystallised picric acid found at a Detroit bookshop prompted a hazardous materials response and a bomb squad call-out on Monday, August 31.
The chemical was discovered by Janelle Spann while she was cleaning a collection of antique bottles at John K. King Used and Rare Books on West Lafayette Boulevard. Spann, who had studied chemistry at Wayne State University, recognised that the crystals could make the substance unstable and placed the bottle outside.
She then alerted authorities, who arrived at about 8.45am. Detroit Fire Department hazmat crews requested the assistance of the Detroit Police Department’s bomb squad because of the potential danger.
Picric acid bottle removed from Detroit bookstore
Officials cleared a 350ft radius around the bottle while technicians dealt with it. The bomb squad removed the suspected picric acid along with a second old bottle containing unspecified chemicals, according to the fire department.
Roads near the shop were temporarily closed, including part of northbound Interstate 75 and an exit from the southbound Lodge Freeway. No injuries were reported.
The bookstore, which holds more than one million books, was briefly closed for the safety of customers and staff before reopening at about 12.15pm.
Picric acid was historically used as an antiseptic and in the treatment of burns and open wounds. It was also used in explosives, and can become particularly hazardous when it crystallises.
“Cause it was a possible explosive and from my reading and, like I said, I’m not the chemist,” Spann told Fox 2 Detroit. “You might get feedback from people out there, but if you even unscrew it with the crystals, it’s not good, it could be dangerous.”
The bottle was marked with the date 1901 and had been kept in a box of antique bottles given to the shop more than 30 years ago. The collection had remained unopened until the recent clean-up.
Bookshop owner John K. King urged anyone who might have a similar bottle stored at home to treat it with caution and seek expert help rather than handling it themselves.
“Our book stores are full of treasures. This was a treasure we didn’t want to keep,” Spann said.
