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Previous by Date: Subject: [DCHAS-L] Chemical Safety headlines from Google (13 articles) Date: Fri, 9 Oct 2015 07:41:29 -0400 Author: "Secretary, ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety" |
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Chemical Safety Headlines From Google
Monday, October 12, 2015 at 7:41:37 AM
A membership benefit of the ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety
All article summaries and tags are archived at https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__pinboard.in_u-3Adchas&d=BQIFaQ&c=lb62iw4YL4RFalcE2hQUQealT9-RXrryqt9KZX2qu2s&r=meWM1Buqv4IQ27AlK1OJRjcQl09S1Zta6YXKalY_Io0&m=3BEd4JRB2F6HHbEmLXHQ8HUNe45p1kkqg1cm0JWboS4&s=7x9TQQ5x3FU4s5Ie0XM3ll2zdu33CAapJRS_HsCc_PA&e=
Table of Contents (16 articles)
THE MYSTERY OF MATTER: SEARCH FOR THE ELEMENTS
Tags: laboratory, discovery, environmental
PERMEABILITY OF MONOMETHYL MERCURY THROUGH PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
Tags: industrial, discovery, environmental, mercury
TOXIC CHEMICAL SPILL CAUSES CHAOS NEAR MAJOR UK AIRPORT
Tags: United_Kingdom, industrial, release, response, other_chemical
1 DEAD, 7 INJURED IN JURONG FACTORY FIRE ROCKED BY EXPLOSIONS, SINGAPORE NEWS & TOP STORIES
Tags: Singapore, industrial, explosion, death, unknown_chemical
RALEIGH WALMART EVACUATED AFTER FIRE BREAKS OUT IN AISLE
Tags: us_NC, public, fire, response, unknown_chemical
DISASTER PLAN DEVELOPED IN CASE FIRE REACHES NUCLEAR WASTE ON ENVIRONMENTAL XPRT
Tags: us_MO, industrial, fire, response, radiation, waste
SCIENCE CONSULTANT PUSHES BACK AGAINST UNLIKELY OPPONENTS
Tags: public, discovery, environmental
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS FINED FOR HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL VIOLATIONS IN HANOVER
Tags: us_NH, laboratory, discovery, response, ammonia, illegal
AUCKLAND FIREFIGHTERS TACKLE TOXIC CHEMICAL BLAZE
Tags: New_Zealand, industrial, fire, response, metals, toxics
1 DEAD, 5 INJURED IN BLAST AT CHEMICAL FACTORY
Tags: India, industrial, explosion, death, unknown_chemical
EL DORADO NEWS TIMES EL DORADO CHEMICAL MARKS 2 MILLION HOURS OF SAFE TIME
Tags: us_AR, industrial, follow-up, environmental, other_chemical
ACCIDENTAL CHINA RESTAURANT EXPLOSION KILLS AT LEAST 17: XINHUA
Tags: China, public, explosion, death, gas_cylinders
THREE INJURED IN EXPLOSION AT TEXAS CHEMICAL STORAGE PLANT
Tags: us_TX, industrial, explosion, injury, unknown_chemical
THE HOUSEHOLD NIGHTMARE JUST A LITTLE BIT OF MERCURY CAN CAUSE
Tags: public, discovery, environmental, mercury
UPDATE: SLIGHTLY RADIOACTIVE CHEMICAL CAUSE HAZ-MAT ALERT IN GREENBRAE
Tags: us_CA, public, discovery, response, radiation, waste
HAZMAT INCIDENT CLOSES PEACHTREE STREET: MEDIA REPORT
Tags: us_GA, transportation, release, injury, cleaners
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THE MYSTERY OF MATTER: SEARCH FOR THE ELEMENTS
Tags: laboratory, discovery, environmental
The Mystery of Matter: Search for the Elements is an exciting series about one of the great adventures in the history of science: the long and continuing quest to understand what the world is made of. Three episodes tell the story of seven of history‰??s most important scientists as they seek to identify, understand and organize the basic building blocks of matter.
The Mystery of Matter: Search for the Elements shows us not only what these scientific explorers discovered but also how, using actors to reveal the creative process through the scientists‰?? own words and conveying their landmark discoveries through re-enactments shot with replicas of their original lab equipment. Knitting these strands together is host Michael Emerson, a two-time Emmy Award-winning actor.
Meet Joseph Priestley and Antoine Lavoisier, whose discovery of oxygen led to the modern science of chemistry, and Humphry Davy, who made electricity a powerful new tool in the search for elements. Watch Dmitri Mendeleev invent the Periodic Table, and see Marie Curie‰??s groundbreaking research on radioactivity crack open a window into the atom. Learn how Harry Moseley‰??s investigation of atomic number redefined the Periodic Table, and how Glenn Seaborg‰??s discovery of plutonium opened up a whole new realm of elements still being explored today.
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PERMEABILITY OF MONOMETHYL MERCURY THROUGH PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
Tags: industrial, discovery, environmental, mercury
Statement: When new chemical hazards are identified, Industrial Hygiene (IH) evaluates chemical resistance performance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in order to ensure safety of workers. PPE chemical resistance performance evaluations may require laboratory permeability testing.
Discussion: In April of 2015, the discovery of higher than expected concentrations of monomethyl mercury in Savannah River Remediation (SRR) Tank Farm waste resulted in uncertainty regarding adequacy of PPE prescribed for protecting workers during intrusive waste tank activities.
An IH review of ASTM F739, Standard Test Method for Permeation of Liquids and Gases through Protective Clothing Material was conducted to determine monomethyl mercury breakthrough test data for common radiological protection PPE materials such as latex rubber (used in standard SRS yellow radiological glove), or supplied air plastic suits. A review of PPE chemical permeation reference documents indicated there was no monomethyl mercury breakthrough test data available for commonly used radiological protection PPE materials. The only published breakthrough test data available for monomethyl mercury was for nitrile gloves.
Analysis: In order to validate the protection provided by these common radiological protection PPE materials, an independent third party laboratory was contracted to perform monomethyl mercury permeability testing of these materials. Results of their testing concluded common radiological protection PPE materials that had been in use on site met testing criteria and provided the necessary protection for workers against dermal exposure to monomethyl mercury.
---------------------------------------------
TOXIC CHEMICAL SPILL CAUSES CHAOS NEAR MAJOR UK AIRPORT
Tags: United_Kingdom, industrial, release, response, other_chemical
A a chemical spill at a factory in Cheshire is causing travel chaos, including traffic heading towards a major UK airport.
People living near Pentagon Fine Chemicals in Widnes have been told to close their doors and windows following a suspected Benzoyl Chloride spill.
Roads are closed in the area following the incident, which is affecting traffic travelling towards Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service was called to the scene around 4.20pm and currently has six fire engines in attendance as well as the incident command support unit.
---------------------------------------------
1 DEAD, 7 INJURED IN JURONG FACTORY FIRE ROCKED BY EXPLOSIONS, SINGAPORE NEWS & TOP STORIES
Tags: Singapore, industrial, explosion, death, unknown_chemical
SINGAPORE - One person died and seven others were injured in a fire that broke out on the premises of a gas manufacturing firm in the Jurong industrial area on Monday (Oct 12) morning.
In a press release issued at around noon, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it received a call at 9.30am and dispatched four fire engines, two red rhinos, two fire bikes, eight support vehicles and four ambulances to 21, Tanjong Kling Road.
"Prior to SCDF‰??s arrival, there was a fire and a few explosions were heard in the premises. The in-house Company Emergency Response Team (CERT) immediately located the fire, and conducted evacuation and firefighting operations," said SCDF.
"Upon our arrival, the fire had engulfed a laboratory measuring about 7m by 5m, in close proximity to a production and storage area."
Four water jets were deployed to contain the fire within the laboratory, while SCDF personnel equipped with breathing apparatus sets conducted search operations within the premises.
---------------------------------------------
RALEIGH WALMART EVACUATED AFTER FIRE BREAKS OUT IN AISLE
Tags: us_NC, public, fire, response, unknown_chemical
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- A Walmart store had to be evacuated early Sunday morning, after a fire broke out in one of the aisles.
It happened around 2 a.m. at the Brier Creek location on Glenwood Avenue.
Police said one of the employees put out the flames before the fire department arrived.
Workers at the store told ABC11 at the scene that it appeared to be some sort of detergent burning, and there were bad chemical fumes.
Employees also said they were told the fire may have been intentionally set.
No injuries are reported.
---------------------------------------------
DISASTER PLAN DEVELOPED IN CASE FIRE REACHES NUCLEAR WASTE ON ENVIRONMENTAL XPRT
Tags: us_MO, industrial, fire, response, radiation, waste
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Beneath the surface of a St. Louis-area landfill lurk two things that should never meet: a slow-burning fire and a cache of Cold War-era nuclear waste, separated by no more than 1,200 feet.
Government officials have quietly adopted an emergency plan in case the smoldering embers ever reach the waste, a potentially 'catastrophic event' that could send up a plume of radioactive smoke over a densely populated area near the city's main airport.
Although the fire at Bridgeton Landfill has been burning since at least 2010, the plan for a worst-case scenario was developed only a year ago and never publicized until this week, when St. Louis radio station KMOX first obtained a copy.
County Executive Steve Stenger cautioned that the plan 'is not an indication of any imminent danger.'
'It is county government's responsibility to protect the health, safety and well-being of all St. Louis County residents,' he said in a statement.
---------------------------------------------
SCIENCE CONSULTANT PUSHES BACK AGAINST UNLIKELY OPPONENTS
Tags: public, discovery, environmental
Dr. Dennis Paustenbach, the head of the scientific consulting firm ChemRisk, has long been a leading expert for companies under legal fire for environmental practices or product safety. He and his firm have also drawn the scrutiny of investigative journalists.
In 2005, The Wall Street Journal reported on a controversial role ChemRisk played during the case that became the basis for the movie ‰??Erin Brockovich.‰?? Seven years later, The Chicago Tribune raised questions about a study by Dr. Paustenbach on the safety of flame retardants. And a 2013 article by the Center for Public Integrity examined his efforts to roll back a proposal concerning workplace safety.
Dr. Paustenbach has insisted that ChemRisk‰??s work is scientifically sound and ethical, adding that plaintiffs‰?? lawyers have been behind the attacks on its credibility. And until recently, the company had never sued any publications or writers for defamation.
But the firm is now locked in a legal fight with some unlikely and defiant opponents: two environmental activists who published an unpaid article in The Huffington Post about ChemRisk‰??s work related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
---------------------------------------------
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS FINED FOR HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL VIOLATIONS IN HANOVER
Tags: us_NH, laboratory, discovery, response, ammonia, illegal
The U.S Army Corps of Engineers has agreed to pay $85,000 to settle EPA claims that it violated regulations in its handling of a hazardous chemical at the Army's Cold Regions Research and Engineering Lab in Hanover.
The EPA alleged that the Corps didn't comply with "Risk Management Plan" regulations in the federal Clean Air Act in its handling of anhydrous ammonia.
The EPA said in addition to typical refrigeration equipment, the lab had an emergency dump system outside from which ammonia could be discharged to a nearby storm water detention pond that drains into the Connecticut River. Because of its potential to harm the river, the Corps will be disabling the outdated technology and safeguarding the facility through other means.
---------------------------------------------
AUCKLAND FIREFIGHTERS TACKLE TOXIC CHEMICAL BLAZE
Tags: New_Zealand, industrial, fire, response, metals, toxics
A group of firefighters have been decontaminated and will be monitored for adverse after-effects after tackling a toxic factory blaze in Auckland.
Emergency services were called to the fire, along Honan Pl in the West Auckland suburb of Avondale, about 5pm.
Assistant area commander Geoff Purcell said a small fire had broken out at the metal finishing factory, which also specialised in chrome plating.
The fire was in the room where the plating occurred, which consisted of 10 to 12 fibreglass acid baths filled with various toxic chemicals.
It was unknown what the cause of the fire was, but the baths contained a heating element and it was possible that was the cause, he said.
About 10 fire trucks had responded and nine firefighters had entered the room to extinguish the blaze.
---------------------------------------------
1 DEAD, 5 INJURED IN BLAST AT CHEMICAL FACTORY
Tags: India, industrial, explosion, death, unknown_chemical
SANGAREDDY: A 20-year-old youth was killed while five others were injured in a reactor blast at a chemical factory in Medak district, police said on Saturday.
The incident took place inside Saanvi Laboratories located at industrial area of Bontapalli village under Jinnaram police station limits when a group of workers were working and a reactor exploded at around 1:00am, Narsapur Police Station circle inspector Tirupati Raju said.
The deceased worker has been identified as Ahmed Laskur (20). The five injured were rushed to a nearby hospital from where they were later shifted to a hospital in Hyderabad.
The condition of two workers was stated to be critical.
---------------------------------------------
EL DORADO NEWS TIMES EL DORADO CHEMICAL MARKS 2 MILLION HOURS OF SAFE TIME
Tags: us_AR, industrial, follow-up, environmental, other_chemical
The safe handling of chemicals such as nitric acid and sulfuric acid at El Dorado Chemical Co. has proved a flying success. On Friday, the company was presented an Occupational Safety and Health Administration award by Gov. Asa Hutchinson for exceeding 2 million hours without lost-time injury.
Greg Withrow, general manager of El Dorado Chemical, said the company has come a long way since the explosion that rocked El Dorado and surrounding areas on May 15, 2012. According to the News‰??Times archives, when a reactor exploded, debris punctured nearby sulfur tanks that released molten sulfur and exploded transformers and burned buildings.
‰??We weren‰??t sure we would rebuild,‰?? said Withrow. ‰??We spent $80 million to rebuild, and in that nine-month period, we didn‰??t lay anyone off.‰??
Not only did the company rebuild, but it is in the process of a $500 million expansion, which was the largest capital expansion in the state at the time of its initiation.
Arkansas Department of Labor Deputy Director Ralph Hudson said that by not having a lost time injury in 2 million hours, El Dorado Chemical‰??s employees have achieved something that has not been done since 1976 by an active contractor.
Hutchinson said that El Dorado Chemical has excelled in safety from September 2013 to August 2015. He also said that he was proud of the progress being made in South Arkansas.
Kelly Oliver, environmental, health and safety manager at El Dorado Chemical, was given a round of applause for his dedication to worker safety.
---------------------------------------------
ACCIDENTAL CHINA RESTAURANT EXPLOSION KILLS AT LEAST 17: XINHUA
Tags: China, public, explosion, death, gas_cylinders
(Reuters) - An explosion ripped through a restaurant in eastern China on Saturday, killing at least 17 people, the official Xinhua news agency reported, blaming the accident on a gas cylinder.
The blast caused a fire at the restaurant in Wuhu city in Anhui province, the report said, citing local authorities. It gave no other details.
In August, 160 people, including firefighters, were killed in two massive explosions at a chemical warehouse in the northeastern city of Tianjin.
---------------------------------------------
THREE INJURED IN EXPLOSION AT TEXAS CHEMICAL STORAGE PLANT
Tags: us_TX, industrial, explosion, injury, unknown_chemical
PASADENA, TX ‰?? Three people were injured in an explosion and fire at Schultz Container Systems, a German multinational corporation that produces high-quality bulk containers for transporting liquids and dry filling goods.
The Houston Fire Department hazmat crew joined firefighters battling the blaze at the business.
Two firefighters and one employee were injured during the firefight and taken to the hospital. Their condition is unknown.
Firefighters were struggling to enter the building, uncertain about the chemicals they were dealing with.
Thirty employees were cleaning containers when there was a ‰??flash explosion‰?? from some type of chemical reaction.
The cause of the fire remains unknown. Everyone inside the building was evacuated.
This is the second fire in Pasadena in less than a week. On October 2, at least four people were injured during an explosion at a chemical plant. The plant employed over 300 workers and operated seven days a week. Investigators have yet to determine what caused the explosion.
---------------------------------------------
THE HOUSEHOLD NIGHTMARE JUST A LITTLE BIT OF MERCURY CAN CAUSE
Tags: public, discovery, environmental, mercury
We all know mercury is dangerous, but in case you've forgotten the terrifying specifics, the metal makes you sick because it functions as a neurotoxin once its in the body. It's not especially dangerous as a liquid (unless you eat it or roll around in it), but if vaporized on a hot surface like a stovetop or refrigerator coil, it can be inhaled and cause myriad health problems including brain damage and nerve damage. It's scary stuff.
So naturally Kaufman got his wife and young daughter out of the house and then the ‰??Department of Environmental Protection showed up in hazmat suits to deal with the stuff. After 20 days of cleanup (with a cost of ‰??$38,491.54‰??, not counting replacement floors, ceilings, appliances, etc), specialists carefully removed several cups of liquid mercury from Kaufman's home.
---------------------------------------------
UPDATE: SLIGHTLY RADIOACTIVE CHEMICAL CAUSE HAZ-MAT ALERT IN GREENBRAE
Tags: us_CA, public, discovery, response, radiation, waste
A glass container of thorium nitrate, a mildly radioactive powder used to make mantles for gaslights and portable camping lights, prompted a hazardous materials alert in a Greenbrae garage this morning.
The chemical was discovered by a company hired to remove chemicals from a garage in the 200 block of Via Lerida, San Rafael Fire Department Battalion Chief Jeff Rowan said.
The man who lived in the house, a chemist, recently passed away, and his son was cleaning the garage, Rowan said.
The company hired to remove the chemicals safely removed all but the thorium nitrate, Larkspur Fire Department Chief Scott Shurtz said.
An employee with the California Department of Public Health arrived from San Jose to remove the thorium nitrate, Shurtz said.
‰??He put it in the back of his Prius and drove away,‰?? Shurtz said.The Marin County Hazardous Materials team, comprised of Marin County fire agencies, responded between 9:30 and 10 a.m. and neighbors were
told to shelter in place as a precaution and a portion of Via Lerida was closed to traffic.
‰??There wasn‰??t a leak or spill. We made sure everyone was safe and arranged for proper disposal,‰?? Rowan said.
The Haz-Mat team was on the scene until around 12:30 p.m., Rowan said.
Thorium nitrate emits radioactive particles and can cause skin, eye and nose irritation and a rash. Repeated exposure can affect the kidneys, liver and scar lungs.
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HAZMAT INCIDENT CLOSES PEACHTREE STREET: MEDIA REPORT
Tags: us_GA, transportation, release, injury, cleaners
Atlanta firefighters closed a block of Peachtree Street on Thursday night to decontaminate an SUV loaded with cleaning chemicals, according to a media report.
Fire and rescue units reponded to the scene after the driver of the Chevrolet Avalanche stopped the vehicle on the city‰??s main thoroughfare and complained of trouble breathing, AJC.com reported. Firefighters closed the block between 14th and 15th streets for two hours as they waited on a hazardous-materials unit to arrive.
Janet Ward, a fire department spokeswoman, said the driver, an unidentified man, was also decontaminated and taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, but he was breathing on his own. She said the man works for an industrial pipe-cleaning company.
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