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From: "Secretary, ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety" <secretary**At_Symbol_Here**DCHAS.ORG>
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Chemical Safety headlines from Google (13 articles)
Date: August 24, 2012 7:08:04 AM EDT
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Message-ID: <1CBB6BF6-F244-4DB3-8EF2-386A524B7F06**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org>
Chemical Safety Headlines From Google
Friday, August 24, 2012 7:07:50 AM
A service of the ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety
Connecting Chemistry and Safety at http://www.dchas.org
All article summaries and tags are archived at http://pinboard.in/u:dchas
Table of Contents (13 articles)
NATURE NEWS BLOG: CHEMICAL CULTURE ÔNEEDS A SAFETY UPGRADE'
Tags: laboratory, follow-up, death
SCHOOL EVACUATED AFTER BROMINE LEAK - ULSTER HERALD
Tags: United_Kingdom, laboratory, release, injury, bromine
HAZMAT CREW HAULS AWAY BARRELS DUMPED NEAR PRESCOTT; INVESTIGATION UNDER WAY
Tags: us_AZ, public, release, response, waste
BP TO PAY $13 MILLION FOR FATAL EXPLOSION AT TEXAS FACILITY
Tags: us_TX, industrial, follow-up, death, petroleum
HOMES EVACUATED AFTER RADCLIFFE EXPLOSION
Tags: United_Kingdom, industrial, explosion, response, natural_gas
4 BURNED IN LOST CABIN GAS PLANT FLASH FIRE
Tags: us_WY, industrial, fire, injury, methane, natural_gas
(UPDATED) BUILDING REOPENS AT OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Tags: us_OH, laboratory, release, response, waste
SEVERAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS BATTLE FIRE AT GRAIN PROCESSING PLANT
Tags: us_IL, industrial, fire, response, dust
HAZMAT CREWS RESPOND TO TANKER SPILL IN COLLIER TWP.
Tags: us_PA, transportation, release, response, petroleum
EASTDAY-AIR TESTED AFTER FACTORY FIRE
Tags: China, industrial, fire, environmental, solvent
BASILDON ROYAL MAIL SITE CHEMICAL LEAK: FOUR TREATED
Tags: United_Kingdom, public, release, injury, diesel
CHEMICAL 'BOTTLE BOMBS' PLAGUING DERBY
Tags: us_CT, public, explosion, response, bomb
BLAST KILLS ONE, INJURES 13 AT SOUTH KOREA CHEMICAL PLANT
Tags: Republic_of_Korea, industrial, explosion, death, flammables
---------------------------------------------
NATURE NEWS BLOG: CHEMICAL CULTURE ÔNEEDS A SAFETY UPGRADE'
http://blogs.nature.com/news/2012/08/chemical-culture-needs-a-safety-upgrade.html
Tags: laboratory, follow-up, death
A number of devastating and sometimes deadly accidents in laboratories have focused the attention of chemists on dangerous practices. But the problem is rooted in the cultures of many academic institutions, which must be changed from the bottom up, a major conference in Philadelphia heard this week.
One of the most high profile accidents in recent years was the death of Sheri Sangji, a chemist who was killed in 2009 after an experiment went wrong at the University of California, Los Angeles. UCLA eventually reached a plea deal with prosecutors over that death although the head of Sangji's lab still faces charges. In another case that garnered publicity, a graduate student lost several fingers in an explosion in 2010 at Texas Tech University lab in Lubbock (see ÔA death in the labÔ).
"There are all these events that are happening and these are of great concern to many of us. The problem has been here for a long time," says Robert Hill, a chemist at Atlanta Analytical Services in Battelle, and chair of the American Chemical Society (ACS) Safety Culture Task Force.
He told the ACS meeting in Philadelphia that the Sangji case certainly had a big impact. But beyond looking for the problems that triggered individual accidents, Hill's task force has been looking deeper, at the culture of chemistry.
A recent report from the task force produced 17 recommendations to create a proper safety culture in academia. These include proper analysis of the hazards associated with all new lab work, establishing incident reporting systems and data bases and setting up a dedicated budget for safety activities. "You can see some people are going to look at these and they're going to wince. But this is what you need to do," says Hill.
But at the meeting, the recommendation most stressed by Hill and others is educating the next generation of chemists.
"You need to educate your students in safety," he says. "So when they get into a situation where it's their turn to do something about safety they will be making the right kinds of decisions."
Part of the problem, says Hill, is that many current faculty were not themselves trained in safety. "We have to break the cycle," he says, and suggests that every undergraduate lab session should include something on safety.
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SCHOOL EVACUATED AFTER BROMINE LEAK - ULSTER HERALD
http://www.ulsterherald.com/2012/08/24/chemical-spill-at-omagh-school/
Tags: United_Kingdom, laboratory, release, injury, bromine
Six members of staff at an Omagh college were hospitalised after a classroom chemical spill sparked an evacuation of the school building.
Fire Crews were called to Drumragh Integrated College on the Crevenagh Road just before 1pm on Thursday after bromine was found to have leaked from a container in a science lab. According to school principal Nigel Frith, the bottle containing the hazardous chemical may have been deteriorating for a number of week during the school's summer closure.
"I know very little about Bromine, but I know it's strong stuff and you're not supposed to be exposed to it or breathe it in," he told the Tyrone Herald.
"Obviously that raised an alert, we contacted the Western Education and Library Board Health and Safety department for advice and they advised that we contact the Fire Service, which we did.
"They came and sealed off part of the building, but the more the fumes spread through the corridors, the more of the building was sealed off. In the end they said as a precaution it's probably better if we just evacuate."
---------------------------------------------
HAZMAT CREW HAULS AWAY BARRELS DUMPED NEAR PRESCOTT; INVESTIGATION UNDER WAY
http://www.azfamily.com/news/Barrels-illegally-dumped-near-Prescott-investigation-under-way-167108825.html
Tags: us_AZ, public, release, response, waste
PRESCOTT, Ariz. -- Prescott National Forest officials are trying to determine who dumped 17 55-gallon drums about five miles south of Prescott.
A forest employee found the drums on Aug. 13 along White Spar Road within the Highway 89 right-of-way.
Some of the barrels were empty, but others were filled with an oil and water mixture and were leaking at the site, according to Ken Simeral with the Prescott National Forest.
The Arizona Department of Transportation's HazMat response crew cleaned up the site and hauled away the barrels.
It is unlawful to dump any material brought off private property onto National Forest System lands. If you see someone illegally dumping, officials said do not approach the violator. After leaving the area, contact your local Forest Service office and provide the following information:
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BP TO PAY $13 MILLION FOR FATAL EXPLOSION AT TEXAS FACILITY
http://www.riskandinsurance.com/story.jsp?storyId=533350351
Tags: us_TX, industrial, follow-up, death, petroleum
The nation's third-largest petroleum refinery has reached a settlement with OSHA. The terms of the agreement call for BP to pay more than $13 million in fines and abate violations after a fatal explosion in 2005.
The tragedy at BP's Texas City refinery resulted in 15 workers being killed and more than 170 injured. Four additional fatal incidents have occurred at the facility since the explosion.
OSHA has undertaken 17 inspections and issued hundreds of citations, leading to a series of agreements to abate hazards and protect refinery workers. The agency cited more than 400 willful violations of its process safety management standard.
---------------------------------------------
HOMES EVACUATED AFTER RADCLIFFE EXPLOSION
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-19364696
Tags: United_Kingdom, industrial, explosion, response, natural_gas
Up to 100 homes were evacuated after an explosion at an industrial building in the Radcliffe area of Greater Manchester.
An explosion was heard when a gas main ignited in a fire in Schofield Street on Thursday night.
Fire crews worked with National Grid to safely isolate the gas pipe.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said at its height, 60 firefighters were at the disused building tackling the fire.
---------------------------------------------
4 BURNED IN LOST CABIN GAS PLANT FLASH FIRE
http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/wyoming/burned-in-lost-cabin-gas-plant-flash-fire/article_70a2b5bf-772e-5342-acff-7146fc10ab54.html
Tags: us_WY, industrial, fire, injury, methane, natural_gas
CASPER, Wyo. Ñ A Wednesday morning flash fire burned four contractors working on maintenance at the ConocoPhillips Lost Cabin natural gas processing plant in central Wyoming, the company said.
Three workers were so badly burned at the plant near Lysite that they were flown from the site by helicopter for medical care.
Two workers were taken to Wyoming Medical Center in Casper and one to a Greeley, Colo., burn center, said Capt. Ryan Lee of the Fremont County Sheriff's Office. An ambulance took the fourth worker to Riverton Memorial Hospital, he said.
The fire took place at 8:30 a.m. and was "immediately extinguished," ConocoPhillips spokeswoman Davy Kong said in an email.
The plant didn't release gas and no one in the local community was evacuated, she said. All of the plant's personnel were accounted for, and the plant was evacuated except for critical response personnel.
---------------------------------------------
(UPDATED) BUILDING REOPENS AT OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
http://www.sent-trib.com/local-news/chemical-spill-closes-one-building-at-owens-community-college
Tags: us_OH, laboratory, release, response, waste
(Updated at 2:50 p.m. 8-21) The Math-Science Center at Owens Community College has reopend, following cleaning and ventilating.
A minor chemical spill caused the facility to be closed for several hours.
It only effects the Math-Science Center," said Owens spokesman Brad Meyer. "Classes are occurring as scheduled in all the other buildings."
The incident was reported at 11:22 a.m. Meyer said that the chemical, characterized as "organic waste products", was spilled in a science lab area. The incident did not take place during a class. No injuries were reported.
The building was evacuated, and Owens officials, as well as Perrysburg Township Fire, responded to the scene. Fire officials could not be immediately reached for comment.
Meyer indicated that a private firm was hired to clean up the chemical.
---------------------------------------------
SEVERAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS BATTLE FIRE AT GRAIN PROCESSING PLANT
http://www.kfvs12.com/story/19340562/several-departments-battle
Tags: us_IL, industrial, fire, response, dust
CAIRO, IL (KFVS) -
Several fire departments were called to an early morning fire at a grain elevator in Cairo along the Ohio River Wednesday.
Firefighters say it started about 4:45 a.m. Fire crews say the fire could have sparked when a rotator belt caught fire and the fire spread to the grain below it at the Bunge Oil Processing Plant. However, no official cause of the fire has been released.
The fire spread to about the size of a football field. The fire has been extinguished.
At least five fire departments from Cairo, Mounds, Mound City, Wickliffe, and Horseshoe Lake were called to battle the fire.
---------------------------------------------
HAZMAT CREWS RESPOND TO TANKER SPILL IN COLLIER TWP.
http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/hazmat-crews-respond-tanker-spill-collier-twp/nRHbf/
Tags: us_PA, transportation, release, response, petroleum
COLLIER TOWNSHIP, Pa. Ñ Hazmat crews quickly responded to the scene of a tanker spill Wednesday afternoon in Collier Township.
Authorities said a tanker carrying highly flammable liquid petroleum gas crashed and began leaking at the intersection of Noblestown Road and Prestley Avenue near Interstate 79 just before noon.
---------------------------------------------
EASTDAY-AIR TESTED AFTER FACTORY FIRE
http://english.eastday.com/e/120823/u1a6805501.html
Tags: China, industrial, fire, environmental, solvent
ENVIRONMENTAL protection authorities have taken extra measures to monitor air quality in an area of the city's outskirts after a fire broke out at a small, unlicensed chemical plant yesterday.
The fire swept through the factory, which produced coating and painting products, about 11:20am in suburban Qingpu District's Zhaoxiang Town, police said.
Officials said as of late yesterday, they had taken extra air samples and had detected no toxic chemicals from the fire, in which no one was injured.
The fire heavily damaged the 400-square-meter factory and emitted black smoke that could be seen for kilometers. Fire officials said it took an hour to put out. The fire also damaged part of a building next door, according to a Shanghai Television report.
Residents in the area have complained in the past about smells coming from the factory, and yesterday they expressed concern that the smoke from the blaze may have been toxic, the report said.
Inflammable materials like xylene, a chemical commonly used as a solvent, were spotted at the plant, the television reported.
---------------------------------------------
BASILDON ROYAL MAIL SITE CHEMICAL LEAK: FOUR TREATED
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-19354185
Tags: United_Kingdom, public, release, injury, diesel
Four people were given medical checks after breathing fumes from a liquid which leaked at a Royal Mail building.
Firefighters were called to the delivery office in East Square in Basildon at about 15:00 BST on Wednesday.
Three people went to hospital after falling ill and a fourth presented themselves for treatment to paramedics.
The fire service said the chemical involved was a diesel fuel additive called Cetane.
A fire service spokesman said firefighters put on breathing equipment, went into the building, sealed the package and ventilated the building.
ll of the staff affected were given the all-clear by medical staff.
---------------------------------------------
CHEMICAL 'BOTTLE BOMBS' PLAGUING DERBY
http://valley.newhavenindependent.org/archives/entry/chemical_bottle_bombs_plaguing_derby
Tags: us_CT, public, explosion, response, bomb
Derby police are trying to find out who has been planting chemical-laced "bottle bombs" on the east side of town.
The latest incident happened Tuesday night on O'Sullivan Road, where a resident called 911 after hearing an explosion.
It was the fourth such incident in a week, Derby police Lt. Justin Stanko said. Luckily, no injuries have been reported.
The bombs are simple to make. The recipes are widely available on the Internet. YouTube is crowded with such demonstrations. A young moron can be seen in the video above.
The mixture of household chemicals inside smaller bottles are being left on lawns, driveways and "other places where they can potentially cause serious injury to unsuspecting people who pick them up," police said in a prepared statement.
Derby police are worried a resident may pick up a plastic water bottle and not realize it contains an explosive mixture. They are especially worried a child could pick one up and have it explode in their hands.
---------------------------------------------
BLAST KILLS ONE, INJURES 13 AT SOUTH KOREA CHEMICAL PLANT
http://www.brecorder.com/world/southeast-asia/74829-blast-kills-one-injures-13-at-south-korea-chemical-plant-.html
Tags: Republic_of_Korea, industrial, explosion, death, flammables
SEOUL: One worker was killed and 13 injured when an explosion ripped a tank apart at a South Korean chemical plant on Thursday, the company and firefighters said.
A 200-litre (52-gallon) tank containing inflammable material exploded at an LG Chem plant in the central city of Cheongju.
The explosion did not start a fire and property damage was slight, a company spokesman said. An investigation has begun into the cause of the blast.
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Ralph Stuart
secretary**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org
Secretary
Division of Chemical Health and Safety
American Chemical Society
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