Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 08:34:20 -0500
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Subject: 2 Chemical Safety news stories from Google

Australia

http://www.thechronicle.com.au/story/2010/01/29/explosion-rocks-newtown/

Explosion rocks Newtown
Megan Masters | 29th January 2010
 
A 17-year-old male is assisted into an ambulance by paramedics after a 
potassium chlorate explosion in Talgai Court, Newtown.

Kevin Farmer
THE sleepy neighbourhood of Targai Court was rocked by an explosion when 
mixing chemicals went wrong for a 17-year-old male.

Toowoomba Police sergeant Bob Coleman said it seemed the boy had been 
conducting some kind of science experiment involving potassium chlorate 
and possibly petrol.

Potassium chlorate is used to manufacture explosives, fireworks and 
safety matches as well as other commercial uses.

It is a highly reactive chemical and has been known to spontaneously 
combust.

=93At this stage the matter is still under investigation, but it appears 
the 17-year-old has performed a science experiment that went wrong.

=93He suffered burns to his face, hands and his body was singed.

=93This is a timely reminder for people to think of the dangers of 
playing with chemicals and fuels which can result in injuries, burns and 
even death.=94

The boy was taken to Toowoomba Hospital for treatment and assessment to 
decide if he required transport to a Brisbane burns unit.

===
Utah

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_14286724?source=most_viewed

Five arrested, accused of setting off homemade bombs at Salt Lake school 
field
By Bob Mims
The Salt Lake Tribune
Updated: 01/28/2010 09:40:29 PM MST

Two men and three women were in jail Thursday following their arrests 
for allegedly setting off homemade explosives on Salt Lake City's West 
High School football field.

Detective Dennis McGowan said the suspects were booked into Salt Lake 
County Jail late Wednesday on third-degree felony counts of possessing 
and setting off incendiary devices. The arrests came after officers, 
alerted to blasts coming from the site near 200 North and 300 West, 
converged on the five, all 19-20 years old, about 9:15 p.m.

Officers reported that two of the devices -- fashioned from water 
bottles, chemical toilet cleaner and aluminum foil -- were set off 
before they could move in. Three more of the homemade explosives were 
found at the scene, along with the makings for others, McGowan said.

McGowan said it did not appear the devices caused any significant 
property damage, and no injuries were reported.

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