USC Explosion Triggers Report of Faulty Shower

USC officials are investigating a report that a shower outside a School of Pharmacy laboratory that is designed to rinse dangerous substances off workers involved in mishaps failed to work Halloween day after an explosion sprayed chemicals onto two researchers.

Leo Wade, USC’s executive director of safety and risk management, confirmed that the investigation was initiated last week after at least one person reported that the shower was inoperable after the Oct. 31 blast. Another shower on the same floor of the building was used instead. Wade said he did not know if a delay in dousing Seid Mirsadeghi, 30, and Tan Tran, 22, could have increased the extent of their injuries.

Mirsadeghi, who was burned over most of his body, was listed Monday in critical but stable condition at Sherman Oaks Community Hospital. Tran, who was burned over a third of his body, remained in serious condition at Torrance Memorial Medical Center.