Just before spring break, pharmacology professor Daniel Storm pleaded guilty to a felony after he confessed to dumping a highly flammable substance down a campus laboratory sink and then attempting to conceal his actions.

According to the plea agreement filed with the United States District Court in Seattle, Storm faces a maximum punishment of five years of imprisonment, as well as a $250,000 fine. However, prosecutors have recommended probation within the terms of the plea agreement.

Storm also faces punishment from the UW. He currently remains a university employee.

"Dr. Storm faces a range of remedial and/or disciplinary actions from the University of Washington," said Tina Mankowski, director of Health Sciences/UW Medicine news and community relations.

Storm has worked at the UW for 30 years and has maintained a clean record until now.

"Dr. Storm has had a very productive career at the UW," Mankowski said.

At the beginning of June, UW Environmental Health and Safety Department (EHS) employees conducted a prevention assessment survey of the laboratory used by Storm.

"The survey disclosed three metal containers of ethyl ether and two glass bottles containing an apparent mixture of ether and water," reported the plea agreement. "He was instructed to inform the EHS surveyor following disposal of the materials."

However, Storm believed the cost of disposing of these chemicals — $15,000 — which would have come out of his lab budget, to be excessive. He decided to illegally dispose of the chemicals himself.

"On June 25, 2006, Defendant dumped the contents of two of the three metal containers of ethyl ether and two glass bottles of ether (5 percent)/water(95 percent) mixture into a sink in his laboratory ... [Storm] ruptured the containers allowing the material to run down the drain," the plea agreement reported.

Storm's method of rupturing the containers was unorthodox to say the least.

"He used an axe to break open the metal containers, which were highly flammable," said Emily Langlie, a public affairs officer for the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Washington. "With his professional expertise, he must have known that was hazardous. He was taking a significant risk."

Mankowski said this is not a common occurrence at the UW.

"We feel very confident that the vast majority of students, faculty and employees follow the established guidelines for disposal of chemicals," she said. "We have a rigorous environmental health and safety program."

It is unclear whether Storm's mental state at the time contributed to him actions.

"In October 2006, Defendant received a psychiatric evaluation to assess whether medical problems he experienced in mid-2006 may have impaired his cognitive functioning," the plea agreement reported. "The evaluation suggested Defendant's cognition may have been impaired during the period of charged conduct. Defendant does not, however, contend his medical issues are a defense or in any way excuse his actions."

Where the drain that the chemicals were poured into empties out is unclear.

These chemicals can be quite harmful.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety & Health Administration Web site, "Ethyl ether is a severe irritant of the eyes and mucous membrane; at high concentrations, ethyl ether causes central nervous system depression."

Reach reporter Camden Swita at news@thedaily.washington.edu.