Harvard lab workers poisoned by tainted coffee

updated 2:43 p.m. ET Oct. 25, 2009

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Six Harvard University medical researchers were poisoned in August after drinking coffee that was laced with a chemical preservative, according to university officials.

In an internal memo first reported in the Boston Herald's Sunday editions, the school said the coffee came from a machine near their lab that later tested positive for sodium azide, a common preservative used in labs.

The six reported symptoms after drinking the coffee Aug. 26, ranging from dizziness to ringing in the ears, and one passed out. They were treated at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and later released.

The memo, written by Daniel G. Ennis, executive dean for administration, and Richard M. Shea, associate dean for physical planning and facilities, does not say whether officials believe the poisoning was intentional.

"As always, we are mindful of the need to be diligent about laboratory safety and security and the importance of proper management of laboratory chemicals," the memo states.

"We are in the process of installing additional security cameras throughout our buildings, and we are strengthening the security systems that manage access to the laboratories during both normal business hours and off hours," it goes on to say.

The researchers, which include staff and students, all work in the Harvard Medical School's pathology department in its new Boston research building. They were using mice to investigate how diseases interact with the immune system.

Harvard spokesman David Cameron on Sunday said university police are investigating along with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Boston Public Health Commission.

"Essentially, there is an ongoing investigation of what appears to be a single isolated event," he said. "Because many details are unknown, (the medical school's) leadership is taking additional precautionary measures to help ensure the well-being of the community."

More from msnbc.com It's a snap! Travel photo of the week Vote: Who do you think is person of year?   Slideshow: The month in space photos Elkhart Project: Money pours in, pet adoptions increase On Twitter: Breaking news updates | Weird and wild

MORE FROM LIFE

Life Section Front

Black Friday holiday shopping kicks off Sad development: The last Kodachrome film lab Lawyer: White House ‘cleared’ party crashers Old fridge? ‘Cash for Appliances’ looms Newsweek: The death of New York's Fifth Avenue New route, same atmosphere at Macy’s parade Man dies after day stuck upside-down in cave Time to obsess about white Christmas Military families united by tragedies Salvation Army kettles now take plastic Life Section Front   Add Life headlines to your news reader: