From one of my chemistry faculty (whose mom is a professor at MU).
Debbie
---------------------------------
Debbie M. Decker, Campus Chemical Safety Officer
Environmental Health and Safety
University of California, Davis
1 Shields Ave.
Davis, CA 95616
(530)754-7964/(530)681-1799 (cell)
(530)752-4527 (FAX)
dmdecker**At_Symbol_Here**ucdavis.edu
Co-Conspirator to Make the World A
Better Place -- Visit www.HeroicStories.com
and join the conspiracy
From: MU NEWS BUREAU
Sent: Friday, July 09, 2010 1:38 PM
Subject: [News Bureau, University of Missouri] Investigation of Schweitzer
Hall Explosion Complete
[http://munews.missouri.edu/images/e-mail-header.gif]
'Investigation of Schweitzer Hall Explosion Complete'
Story Contact
Christian Basi, BasiC**At_Symbol_Here**missouri.edu, 573-882-4430
Mary Jo Banken,573-882-6212, BankenM**At_Symbol_Here**missouri.edu
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Officials from the University of Missouri have completed th
eir investigation into the cause of the explosion at Schweitzer Hall that o
ccurred on Monday, June 28.
The explosion occurred in the laboratory of Judy Wall, professor of biochem
istry, during a routine setup of a microbiological anaerobic growth chamber
. Wall and her team of researchers study anaerobic bacteria, or bacteria th
at cannot live in the presence of oxygen. The bacteria are able to convert
toxic metals, such as uranium and other heavy metals, to less toxic forms.
Wall's research is extremely valuable to environmental agencies working to
clean sites contaminated with radioactive materials or other toxic metals.
Because of the bacteria's intolerance to oxygen, scientists must create jus
t the right environment to study them. Wall's team studies the bacteria in
chambers that are roughly 2 cubic meters in volume.
Standard operating procedures for establishing the anaerobic environment ca
lls for the use of nitrogen to fill the chamber. Then, small amounts of hyd
rogen are introduced into the chamber to remove any remaining oxygen by com
bining to form water. Prior to the explosion, hydrogen was prematurely intr
oduced into the chamber and reached an explosive level. Investigators concl
uded that the gas was ignited by a source inside the chamber.
Two factors contributed to hydrogen being introduced prematurely into the c
hamber:
1. Following a check for leaks in the hydrogen gas lines, the valve for t
he hydrogen cylinder was inadvertently left open.
2. The laboratory was using a gas line with a "T-connection" that normall
y included a toggle switch used to prevent nitrogen and hydrogen from being
simultaneously introduced into the chamber. However, a T-connection withou
t the toggle switch was temporarily being used; thus both nitrogen and hydr
ogen entered the chamber simultaneously.
To prevent such accidents in the future, investigators have recommended the
following actions:
* Replace the use of pure hydrogen with a 95:5 mixture of nitrogen and h
ydrogen.
* Following a check of gas lines for leaks, all gas cylinders should be
closed and only reopened as needed.
* Use of T-connections between gases should be eliminated.
* Investigate the possibility of using hydrogen and/or oxygen sensors th
at could withstand a corrosive atmospheric environment.
* Give refresher training to all laboratory personnel. (Some training ha
s already occurred.)
* Review current training, guidance materials and inspection procedures.
* Review MU's compressed gas cylinder storage area to ensure appropriate
safety procedures are in place and look for improvements.
Investigators believe that several factors helped mitigate damage and allow
ed normal building activities to resume quickly. These factors include:
* Wall's laboratory group was well-organized and clean, minimizing secon
dary impacts from the explosion.
* Emergency information about laboratory hazards was posted outside the
door for emergency responders.
* Emergency Action Plan had identified exit routes and building occupant
s evacuated in a timely manner.
* Utilities had been reconfigured for the building, allowing maintenance
workers to cut off utility service to the affected laboratories, while kee
ping service to the rest of the building.
* Cooperation among the Columbia Fire Department, MU Campus Facilities,
MU Environmental Health and Safety, and the MU Police Department was excell
ent. A history of exercises and meetings have strengthened relationships an
d cooperation.
Everyone involved in the accident is doing well. The one person who was adm
itted to the hospital was released the following evening.
Note: Previous incorrect information was circulated that a "2,000 pound hyd
rogen tank" exploded. The source of hydrogen was a standard compressed gas
cylinder that contained about one pound of hydrogen. The tank, itself, did
not explode.
View this news release on the Web at:
http://munews.missouri.edu/news-releases/2010/0709-investigation-of-schweit
zer-hall-explosion-complete/
For more news, visit:
http://munews.missouri.edu/
________________________________
MU News Bureau, 329 Jesse Hall, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211
Phone: 573-882-6211, Fax: 573-882-5489, E-mail: news**At_Symbol_Here**missouri.edu, Web: http://munews.missouri.edu/
Copyright (c) 2010 - Curators of the University of Missouri. All rights res
erved. DMCA and other
copyright information.
An equal opportunity/affirmative action
institution.
___________________________
Annaliese K. Franz, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Member, UC Davis Bioenergy Research Center
Member, Designated Emphasis in Biotechnology
Department of Chemistry
One Shields Ave
University of California
Davis, CA 95616
530-752-9820 (tel)
http://chemgroups.ucdavis.edu/~franz/
___________________________
Annaliese K. Franz, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Member, UC Davis Bioenergy Research Center
Member, Designated Emphasis in Biotechnology
Department of Chemistry
One Shields Ave
University of California
Davis, CA 95616
530-752-9820 (tel)
http://chemgroups.ucdavis.edu/~franz/
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