Karen Wetterhahn
Dr. Karen Wetterhahn | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 16, 1948 Plattsburgh, New York, U.S. |
| Died | June 8, 1997 (aged 48) Lebanon, New Hampshire, U.S. |
| Other names | Dr. Karen Wetterhahn Jennette |
| Alma mater | |
| Known for |
|
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Chemistry |
| Institutions | Dartmouth College |
| Thesis | Metallointercalation reagents: synthesis, physical properties, and their interaction with nucleic acids (1975) |
| Doctoral advisor | Stephen J. Lippard |
Karen Elizabeth Wetterhahn (October 16, 1948 – June 8, 1997), also known as Karen Wetterhahn Jennette, was an American professor of chemistry at Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, who specialized in toxic metal exposure. She died of mercury poisoning at the age of 48 due to accidental exposure to the extremely toxic organic mercury compound dimethylmercury (Hg(CH3)2). Protective gloves in use at the time of the incident provided insufficient protection, and exposure to only a single drop or 2 of the dimethylmercury absorbed through the gloves proved to be fatal after less than a year.