IRVINE, Calif. (KCAL/KCBS/CNN Newsource/WKRC) – A teenager spoke out after his at-home science lab was raided by the FBI, who spent days investigating the space in hazmat suits.
Amalvin Fritz, a 17-year-old pre-med student, fell under scrutiny from the Federal Bureau of Investigation after the organization learned he was using potentially poisonous chemicals in a laboratory he operated out of his home that he shares with his parents.
“It’s been almost a week since I’ve been out of my home and I really want to go back, you know,” Fritz told KCAL in an interview. “I’m just a kid who is interested in science.”
A teenager spoke out after his at-home science lab was raided by the FBI, who spent days investigating the space in hazmat suits. (KCAL, KCBS, Chemtato on YouTube via CNN Newsource)
The FBI spent multiple days entering into Fritz’s home while decked out in hazmat suits and protective wear, but Fritz said he didn’t really know what they were looking for.
“I gave my full cooperation and gave them my phone and I gave them as much information as possible, but I’m not exactly sure what material inside the home they would be suspicious about,” he said. “I hope they can conclude their investigation and we can continue to put this behind us.”
California State Long Beach chemistry professor Elaine Bernal said she might have an idea of what they are looking for, since one of the many YouTube videos Fritz posted of his experiments showed the teenager using isoproplymagnesium chloride and other chemicals that were not appropriate for a home lab.
A teenager spoke out after his at-home science lab was raided by the FBI, who spent days investigating the space in hazmat suits. (Chemtato on YouTube via CNN Newsource)
“Those experiments needed to be done in a proper lab facility,” Bernal said. She said that the chemicals are highly flammable and may even cause an explosion. Additionally, hazardous chemicals require specific disposal methods and can otherwise pose an environmental threat.
“There’s a big environmental and safety concern that I think was worthy of investigation,” she said. “I think it’s also important to think of it as the safety of the local community because it’s tight quarters… the chemicals that he mentioned are very flammable… my concern is that whatever gasses that are emitted, folks with sensitive respiratory issues can be affected.”
Fritz told KCAL his experiments were not dangerous, and that they focused on therapeutic research for cancer and Alzheimer’s patients.