Bomb squad called after radioactive and explosive materials were found in dead chemist's home

A bomb squad has been deployed after radioactive and explosive materials were found in a dead chemist's Massachusetts home.   

On Tuesday a radioactive 'non-transportable' material and picric acid were found during a chemical mediation company clean-out of the chemist's home lab in Lexington, near Boston.

Multiple bottles of old and degraded chemicals deemed 'compromised' were found in the house on Longfellow Road.

Picric acid, when dry, is considered highly sensitive and can detonate from minor impact friction, or heat. 

The odorless crystal also forms salts on contact with many common metals, which are even more sensitive than the acid itself, according to Stanford University Environmental Health & Safety.

Lexington Fire said they evacuated and secured the affected area with the help of Lexington police.

A Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad consisting of a hazmat team and FBI bomb technician, were required to carefully search for and remove the potentially hazardous materials.

'These materials could not be left in place and had to be carefully and methodically removed for safe disposal. Our priority at every step was the safety of community residents and our first responders,' Lexington Fire Chief Derek Sencabaugh said, according to a Department of Fire Services press release.

The home had been unoccupied since the chemist's death and there was no indication of any criminal activity.

'We see this fact pattern a few times a year,' said State Fire Marshal Jon Davine. 'It often involves family members who find military ordnance after a veteran passes away. This was a much more complex scenario. It required patience, precision, and a high degree of technical skill.'  

According to the media release, State Police bomb technicians carefully transferred the explosive and unidentified substances from the home to a Lexington Department of Public Works truck filled with sand. 

The substances were then transported to a remote location, where they were 'destroyed without incident.' 

The radioactive substances were taken by a licensed radiological contractor for safe disposal, and a private clean-up company took custody of the remaining materials. 

The teams involved were cleared from the area by about 8.00pm.

'Massachusetts has put decades of planning, training, and funding into our response capabilities for events like this,' said Davine. 

'I want to recognize the professionalism of our partners in Lexington throughout this mission, and I want to thank the hazmat and bomb technicians whose interagency and interdisciplinary teamwork made it a success.' 

No injuries or illnesses were reported, and officials said there was no threat to the public or the environment.