Tell them the coffee pot was being used to incubate a highly virulent form of STD and you were storing the specimens that survived in the vaseline jar. Tell them you're sorry it's come to this, but you required by law to inform anyone who may be exposed.
They may want to return the vaseline jar unless they want to be legally liable for the consequences.
And if they don't want you reporting them to the public health authorities, they may want to replace the coffee pot, since you are required to return the lab equipment and file a report.
Tell them the coffee pot was being used to incubate a highly virulent form of STD and you were storing the specimens that survived in the vaseline jar. Tell them you're sorry it's come to this, but you required by law to inform anyone who may be exposed.
They may want to return the vaseline jar unless they want to be legally liable for the consequences.
And if they don't want you reporting them to the public health authorities, they may want to replace the coffee pot, since you are required to return the lab equipment and file a report.