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Chemical Safety Headlines From Google
Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at 5:54:50 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=DQIFaQ&c=lb62iw4YL4RFalcE2hQUQealT9-RXrryqt9KZX2qu2s&r=meWM1Buqv4IQ27AlK1OJRjcQl09S1Zta6YXKalY_Io0&m=OmTDDF3G3NnHXqqgFVEYX9oqE89UTdwdtGw0Onk2YeU&s=jXlMsEuS3kzbEeb7p2orxFiewAO0I52jKb9MJ1dEYEg&e=
Table of Contents (15 articles)
U.S. LAWMAKERS REACH AGREEMENT ON CHEMICAL SAFETY LAW
Tags: public, discovery, environmental
MALAYSIA GENERAL BUSINESS SPORTS AND LIFESTYLE NEWS
Tags: Malaysia, industrial, release, response, hydrochloric_acid
HAZMAT CREWS RESPOND TO AMMONIA LEAK IN PORTLAND, MAINE
Tags: us_ME, industrial, release, response, ammonia
CHEMICAL SCARE EVACUATES FLORIDA'S PLANNED PARENTHOOD CLINIC, MANY WERE HOSPITALIZED
Tags: us_FL, public, release, injury, unknown_chemical, cleaners
SAFETY NORMS THROWN TO WINDS AT PHARMA, CHEMICAL UNITS?
Tags: India, industrial, follow-up, environmental, pharmaceutical
AIR PRODUCTS EMPLOYEES TREATED FOR CHEMICAL EXPOSURE
Tags: us_PA, laboratory, release, injury, unknown_chemical
PSC SETS HEARING ON CHEMICAL SPILL INVESTIGATION
Tags: us_WV, industrial, follow-up, environmental, other_chemical
WHITE HOUSE BACKS BILL TO OVERHAUL CHEMICAL REGULATION
Tags: public, discovery, environmental
POOL COMPANY DESTROYED BY FIRE
Tags: us_IL, public, explosion, injury, unknown_chemical
MAN SUFFERS SERIOUS BURNS IN UNIT FIRE IN MILLER
Tags: Australia, public, fire, injury, illegal, meth_lab
HUNDREDS OF GALLONS OF OIL LEAKS INTO BEAUFORT MEMORIAL BOILER ROOM
Tags: us_SC, public, release, response, diesel
CHEMICAL AT VAN BUREN FACILITY SICKENS WORKERS, SENDS 4 TO HOSPITAL
Tags: us_NY, industrial, release, injury, cleaners, methyl_methacrylate
FIRE CREWS CLEAR HUBER HEIGHTS HOME AFTER CHEMICAL INCIDENT
Tags: us_OH, public, release, injury, bleach, cleaners
DEMON CORE: THE STRANGE DEATH OF LOUIS SLOTIN
Tags: us_NM, laboratory, follow-up, death, bomb, radiation
IT"S NO ACCIDENT: ADVOCATES WANT TO SPEAK OF CAR "CRASHES" INSTEAD
Tags: education, discovery, environmental
---------------------------------------------
U.S. LAWMAKERS REACH AGREEMENT ON CHEMICAL SAFETY LAW
Tags: public, discovery, environmental
U.S. lawmakers are poised to approve landmark bipartisan legislation to update the 40-year old law that governs commercial substances.
After many years of negotiations, the House of Representatives is expected to pass a bill on May 24 that would modernize the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The Senate is expected to follow suit and send the legislation to the president for signature. The White House says the measure meets the Obama Administration"s principles for reforming TSCA.
The bill would change how thousands of chemicals on the market are regulated. It would give the Environmental Protection Agency sweeping new authority to request safety data from chemical manufacturers on substances that pose a risk to human health or the environment.
"This bicameral agreement represents a vast improvement over current law and takes a thoughtful approach to protecting people all across the country from unsafe chemical exposure while setting a new standard for quality regulation," say Reps. Fred Upton (R-Mich.), chairman of the House Energy & Commerce committee, and John Shimkus (R-Ill.). Shimkus introduced an early version of the bill (H.R. 2576) that passed the House last year.
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MALAYSIA GENERAL BUSINESS SPORTS AND LIFESTYLE NEWS
Tags: Malaysia, industrial, release, response, hydrochloric_acid
GEORGE TOWN: Workers at a Bayan Baru factory had a scare this morning when hydrochloric acid leaked from a tank and spilled over onto the factory"s compound.
No one was injured in the 10am incident.
It is learnt that there were six similar tanks within the compound and one of them sprung a leak.
A Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said a worker spotted leakage and immediately alerted the authorities.
"We managed to trace the leakage to the source and contained the situation.
"Our team also emptied the tank to ensure that its liquid content was drained out to a waster water treatment area," he said.
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HAZMAT CREWS RESPOND TO AMMONIA LEAK IN PORTLAND, MAINE
Tags: us_ME, industrial, release, response, ammonia
An ammonia leak at a food storage facility has shut down roads, and closed businesses in Portland, Maine.
Crews are on the scene at Advance Pierre Foods on Milliken Street, where a hazmat team responded to a leak from a tank or pump at dangerously high levels.
Good Samaritans Pull Women From Burning Car
Workers at a nearby window making company said one of their employees smelled the toxic gas early in the morning and called firefighters.
No workers were inside the building at the time and there are no injuries, but people living near the industrial park are on high alert.
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CHEMICAL SCARE EVACUATES FLORIDA'S PLANNED PARENTHOOD CLINIC, MANY WERE HOSPITALIZED
Tags: us_FL, public, release, injury, unknown_chemical, cleaners
An unknown substance that was related to cleaning chemicals led to the evacuation Monday of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Sarasota, Fla. About seven people who had breathing problems were hospitalized.
The police said that several chemicals that could not be identified from cleaning closets were removed by hazardous materials teams from the fire department . Some baby food that had spilled during the evacuation was also discovered.
A report said that the substances were cleaning chemicals. No criminal investigation is on the cards. Police also believe that the contamination leading to the respiratory irritation was "accidental." Employees will be permitted to come back to the building Monday afternoon.
---------------------------------------------
SAFETY NORMS THROWN TO WINDS AT PHARMA, CHEMICAL UNITS?
Tags: India, industrial, follow-up, environmental, pharmaceutical
A string of accidents at pharmaceutical and chemical units in Visakhapatnam raises many questions such as what is wrong with the units, are safety norms being followed, are the units certified by the authorities concerned and is quality being followed when it comes to construction and maintenance.
A recent safety audit that was ordered after a massive fire accident at Biomax Fuels Limited in VSEZ in April, clearly states that safety norms have been flouted by a majority of the units.
The audit was jointly conducted by the Inspector of Factories, Pollution Control Board and Fire Department in 92 industrial units including big PSUs such as HPCL and VSP, and as per Deputy Joint Inspector of Factories Chinna Rao, over 60 per cent of the industries attracted adverse reports.
Fifteen of the units, including Srikar Laboratories at JNPC in Parwada where one person died and 15 fell sick after an ammonia condenser blast on Tuesday, were given strong adverse report that practically recommended immediate attention or closure.
Sources said that critical components such as reactors, compressors, condensers and pipelines were not certified by the authorities concerned. The report clearly stated that construction and maintenance were par below the standard norms and safety norms were grossly flouted.
---------------------------------------------
AIR PRODUCTS EMPLOYEES TREATED FOR CHEMICAL EXPOSURE
Tags: us_PA, laboratory, release, injury, unknown_chemical
Two employees were taken to an area hospital for treatment following a chemical exposure Tuesday afternoon at Air Products' corporate headquarters in Lehigh County, the company said.
It occurred about 3 p.m. in a research-and-development building on the campus at 7201 Hamilton Blvd. in Upper Macungie Township, company spokesman Art George III said.
One employee doing routine work was exposed to a small amount of the chemical, which was not publicly identified. Initial indications from emergency responders to the hazardous-materials call were that it was a corrosive material. A second employee entered the same R&D area and was also exposed, according to the company.
"Immediate action was taken for the employees at a wash station within the building," an Air Products statement said. "Corporate security contacted emergency responders, and the lab area was closed off, in keeping with our safety protocol. The building did not need to be evacuated."
---------------------------------------------
PSC SETS HEARING ON CHEMICAL SPILL INVESTIGATION
Tags: us_WV, industrial, follow-up, environmental, other_chemical
The state Public Service Commission has moved to revive " at least for now " its long-stalled investigation into West Virginia American Water Company"s handling of the January 2014 chemical spill that contaminated the company"s Kanawha Valley regional drinking water supply.
Commissioners issued an order scheduling an evidentiary hearing in the probe for Nov. 15-17 in Charleston, but cautioned that "developments outside of this proceeding" could "yet impact the course of this general investigation."
The commission"s 19-page order comes after many months of hand-wringing by the PSC about whether its probe of the water company"s preparations for and response to the Freedom Industries chemical spill on the Elk River could conflict with drinking water safety reforms that state lawmakers already mandated be taken under the oversight of the Bureau for Public Health"s Source Water Protection Plan program.
Commissioners said that the potential for conflict "appears to be high" but that they "are also keenly aware" of the PSC"s duty under state law to require public utilities like West Virginia American to "perform in a manner designed to safeguard the interests of the public and the utilities."
"Taking all of that into account, we conclude that while the potential for interagency conflict appears to be high, it is not certain. We therefore are persuaded that the commission is not precluded from proceeding at this time," said the order, issued Monday. "All parties should pay close attention to those last three words, however, which we use advisedly. We caution that future developments outside of this proceeding, including specifically those related to the WVAWC Source Water Protection Plan and any actions taken by the Bureau for Public Health with regard to that plan, could yet impact the course of this general investigation."
---------------------------------------------
WHITE HOUSE BACKS BILL TO OVERHAUL CHEMICAL REGULATION
Tags: public, discovery, environmental
WASHINGTON (AP) " The White House and top House Democrats said Monday they will support a bipartisan bill to overhaul regulation of asbestos and other dangerous chemicals, clearing the way for the bill's passage in Congress and signature by President Barack Obama.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and two other high-ranking Democrats said they remain concerned that the bill limits states' ability to act aggressively on toxic substances.
But changes made by Democrats in recent days ensure the measure will protect families and communities from toxic substances, Pelosi said in a statement with House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer of Maryland and Rep. Frank Pallone of New Jersey, the senior Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Hours later, the White House said it strongly supports the legislation, which would be the first overhaul of the Toxic Substances Control Act since it was approved in 1976. A vote is expected in the House as soon as Tuesday.
"The bill is a clear improvement over the current TSCA and represents a historic advancement for both chemical safety and environmental law," the White House said in a statement.
---------------------------------------------
POOL COMPANY DESTROYED BY FIRE
Tags: us_IL, public, explosion, injury, unknown_chemical
DIX -- Trilogy Pool Company manager Chuck McDaniel could only watch as his business went up in smoke.
"We had an explosion in the front room," he said. "I went back there and she was fully engulfed so we evacuated."
Jefferson Fire Protection District Chief Robert Beal says the fire actually began with a spark from a motor that started a chemical fire. The fire burned quickly, putting firefighters at a serious disadvantage.
"I called in multiple departments to assist us with the water and manpower," said Beal. "About two hours later, we put the fire under control."
But with the fire on the west side of I-57 in a rural area, firefighters didn't have as much access to water as they needed
"The fire department came and they started putting the water to her. She was already on the ground by the time they got here," said McDaniel.
Fueled by toxic chemicals, the fire burned so hot it melted the steel beams which held the building up. Its metal walls curled at the intense heat of up to 1,500 degrees.
That made the fire extra difficult to control.
---------------------------------------------
MAN SUFFERS SERIOUS BURNS IN UNIT FIRE IN MILLER
Tags: Australia, public, fire, injury, illegal, meth_lab
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a unit fire in Miller yesterday afternoon, NSW Police say.
About 2pm today, emergency services were called to a unit in Woodward Crescent at Miller after reports of a fire in a ground floor unit and an occupant being injured.
On arrival they found a 35-year-old man suffering serious burns and lying on the front lawn outside the unit block.
He was being assisted by a fellow occupant before being taken to Liverpool Hospital by NSW Ambulance paramedics.
He has since been transferred to Concord Hospital where he remains in a critical condition.
Personnel from Fire & Rescue NSW extinguished the fire.
The scene was examined by crime scene personnel and members of the State Crime Command"s Chemical Operations Team who allegedly located various items which may have been used in the manufacture of prohibited drugs.
---------------------------------------------
HUNDREDS OF GALLONS OF OIL LEAKS INTO BEAUFORT MEMORIAL BOILER ROOM
Tags: us_SC, public, release, response, diesel
Hundreds of gallons of oil was found leaked inside Beaufort Memorial Hospital"s boiler room Monday, but conditions were not particularly dangerous, a fire department official said.
About 290 gallons of heating fuel oil leaked into the mechanical room at the hospital"s lowest level, Beaufort-Port Royal Fire Chief Reece Bertholf said. The room contains boilers used to heat the building and create hot water, but the oil wasn"t found to be flammable when firefighters arrived at about 8 a.m., Bertholf said.
The cause of the spill was unknown Monday afternoon, hospital spokeswoman Courtney McDermott said.
The oil has to be heated before combustion and is relatively safe at room temperature, a fire department release said. Areas adjacent to the mechanical room were evacuated.
Due to the smell in the surgery area, hospital staff suspended elective surgeries. Emergency surgery was still available.
A hazmat crew was expected to finish cleaning up the spill by Monday evening, McDermott said at 3:30 p.m.. The leak was contained to the mechanical room, Bertholf said.
---------------------------------------------
CHEMICAL AT VAN BUREN FACILITY SICKENS WORKERS, SENDS 4 TO HOSPITAL
Tags: us_NY, industrial, release, injury, cleaners, methyl_methacrylate
Van Buren, NY-- Four workers were sent to the hospital after being poisoned by a cleaning chemical.
Employees at G&C Foods in Van Buren say they smelled a heavy chemical odor at the facility, and some began to feel ill. They reported irritated eyes and throats, and difficulty breathing.
Multiple ambulance crews responded to take a look at 23 workers, and decided four needed more medical attention. Two were sent to Upstate Hospital while two other were sent to St. Joseph's.
Lakeside Fire Chief Manny Falcone says the source of the sicknesses was a liquid chemical called Methyl Methacrylate. It was being used to remove a non-slip surface from the floor of the facility.
The building was evacuated, and none of the food inside was affected. Falcone said no clean up will be required, and that the building just needed to be aired out.
---------------------------------------------
FIRE CREWS CLEAR HUBER HEIGHTS HOME AFTER CHEMICAL INCIDENT
Tags: us_OH, public, release, injury, bleach, cleaners
Two occupants of a Huber Heights home were taken to Grand View Hospital with respiratory issues.
Huber Heights Fire said an occupant was cleaning the bath tub with bleach, when the chemical was mixed with toilet bowl cleaner.
The four occupants of the house said they were concerned with breathing in the vapor the chemicals created and called 911.
The two occupants who went to the hospital are in stable conditions.
---------------------------------------------
DEMON CORE: THE STRANGE DEATH OF LOUIS SLOTIN
Tags: us_NM, laboratory, follow-up, death, bomb, radiation
May 21, 1946, at a secret laboratory tucked into a canyon some three miles from Los Alamos, New Mexico, the birthplace of the atom bomb. Louis Slotin, a Canadian physicist, was showing his colleagues how to bring the exposed core of a nuclear weapon nearly to the point of criticality, a tricky operation known as "tickling the dragon"s tail." The core, sitting by itself on a squat table, looked unremarkable"a hemisphere of dull metal with a nub of plutonium sticking out of its center, the whole thing warm to the touch because of its radioactivity. It had been quickly molded into shape after the bombing of Nagasaki, to be used in another attack on Japan, then reallocated when it turned out not to be needed for the war effort. At that time, Slotin was perhaps the world"s foremost expert on handling dangerous quantities of plutonium. He had helped assemble the first atomic weapon, barely a year earlier, and a contemporary photograph shows him standing beside its innard!
s with his shirt unbuttoned and sunglasses on, cool and collected. Back then, the bomb was a handmade, artisanal product.
Slotin"s procedure was simple. He would lower a half-shell of beryllium, called the tamper, over the core, stopping just before it was snugly seated. The tamper would reflect back the neutrons that were shooting off the plutonium, jump-starting a weak and short-lived nuclear chain reaction, on which the physicists could then gather data. Slotin held the tamper in his left hand. In his right hand, he held a long screwdriver, which he planned to wedge between the two components, keeping them apart. As he began the slow and painstaking process of lowering the tamper, one of his colleagues, Raemer Schreiber, turned away to focus on other work, expecting that the experiment would be uninteresting until several more moments had passed. But suddenly he heard a sound behind him: Slotin"s screwdriver had slipped, and the tamper had dropped fully over the core. When Schreiber turned around, he saw a flash of blue light and felt a wave of heat on his face. A week later, he wrote a !
report on the mishap:
The blue flash was clearly visible in the room although it (the room) was well illuminated from the windows and possibly the overhead lights. . . . The total duration of the flash could not have been more than a few tenths of a second. Slotin reacted very quickly in flipping the tamper piece off. The time was about 3:00 p.m.
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IT"S NO ACCIDENT: ADVOCATES WANT TO SPEAK OF CAR "CRASHES" INSTEAD
Tags: education, discovery, environmental
Roadway fatalities are soaring at a rate not seen in 50 years, resulting from crashes, collisions and other incidents caused by drivers.
Just don"t call them accidents anymore.
That is the position of a growing number of safety advocates, including grass-roots groups, federal officials and state and local leaders across the country. They are campaigning to change a 100-year-old mentality that they say trivializes the single most common cause of traffic incidents: human error.
"When you use the word "accident," it"s like, "God made it happen," " Mark Rosekind, the head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, said at a driver safety conference this month at the Harvard School of Public Health.
"In our society," he added, "language can be everything."
Almost all crashes stem from driver behavior like drinking, distracted driving and other risky activity. About 6 percent are caused by vehicle malfunctions, weather and other factors.
Preliminary estimates by the nonprofit National Safety Council show deadly crashes rose by nearly 8 percent in 2015 over the previous year, killing about 38,000 people.
Dr. Rosekind has added his voice to a growing chorus of advocates who say that the persistence of crashes " driving is the most dangerous activity for most people " can be explained in part by widespread apathy toward the issue.
Changing semantics is meant to shake people, particularly policy makers, out of the implicit nobody"s-fault attitude that the word "accident" conveys, they said.
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