A University worker was taken to the hospital after a chemical spill at the University’s Edward R. Madigan Laboratory, 1201 W. Gregory Drive, Thursday evening.

“A cleaning services worker was overcome by a white powder,” said University spokeswoman Robin Kaler. “She was then taken to the hospital because she felt (unusual).”

According to a witness, the chemical was Aluminum Chloride (Anhydrous). Police sources would not confirm or deny the contents of the spill. But they did say that it was not a hazardous threat.

The chemical is non-corrosive, but it creates a gas when it comes into contact with moisture.

The chemical was reportedly placed in a biohazard bag, where it reacted with its contents. A male foreman then cleaned up the contents of the jar and deposited them in a trashcan. He proceeded to drive the female janitor to a local hospital. Upon returning to the laboratory, a male janitor was declared secondarily contaminated and was asked to wait until the fire department could determine what should be done with him.

Urbana Fire Department Division Chief Jeff McDuffy said that the chemical was sealed and placed inside an independently ventilated laboratory.

“It was a small container that was moderately toxic,” he said.

The University’s laboratory cleanup department will clean the area Friday, McDuffy said.

McDuffy said that the female janitor was released from the hospital after a few hours and that the male foreman was sent home by the fire department later that night.