Bomb disposal officers carry out controlled explosion at John Summers High School after

Army bomb disposal officers were called to John Summers High School today after concerns over a lab chemical.

It’s believed bomb a disposal team carried out a controlled explosion “pop” on the chemical following safety guidance issued nationally.

Flintshire County Council Chief Officer Education and Youth said Ian Budd stopped short of confirming today’s events but did say:

“Safety advice has recently been circulated to schools/colleges in England and Wales from CLEAPPS (a science assessment agency) advising that they should check on the storage of the following chemicals:  DNP and PICRIC ACID.

“All secondary schools have been issued with the advice from CLEAPSS. They are expected to follow this advice.

Last week schools across the UK received a note from CLEAPPS, the science advisory body advising on updated handling procedures for storing 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine, which is used in some chemistry lessons.

If the chemical, also known as 2,4-DNPH, is allowed to dry out it can become dangerous.

CLEAPPS told schools to check how the chemical was stored and contact them if they had any concerns.

Bomb disposal teams have carried out controlled explosions at several schools across Wales and England after a warning over 2,4-DNPH.

One local resident who lives close to the school told Deeside.com he heard a loud ‘boom’ at around 12.10pm which sounded like a ‘large mortar style firework’ going off.

A couple of seconds later police knocked at his door to warn him of the impending controlled explosion which had just taken place.

Education officials in England sent out a warning to schools last week saying:

“We would like to remind all schools and post-16 institutions of the importance of ensuring all chemicals used for practical science activities are stored safely.

CLEAPSS, the science and technology advisory service, that provides support to the vast majority of schools and colleges, has recently received a number of calls regarding a particular chemical – 2,4-DNP (2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine).”

[graphiq id=”87sCDLObzwN” title=”2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazine” width=”500″ height=”748″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/87sCDLObzwN” link=”https://www.graphiq.com” link_text=”Visualization by Graphiq” ]