Date: Mon, 22 Aug 2011 08:18:56 -0400
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From: "Secretary, ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety"

Subject: Chemical Safety Headlines From Google (22 articles)

Chemical Safety Headlines =46rom Google
Monday, August 22, 2011 8:15:01 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 (22 articles)

SUSPECTED METH LAB DISCOVERED AT KINGSPORT MOTEL- KINGSPORT TIMES-NEWS
Tags: us_TN, public, release, response, meth_lab

CONTAMINATED STAFF RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL
Tags: New_Zealand, industrial, release, injury, unknown_chemical

CHEMICAL LEAK SENDS WOODLAND CANNERY EMPLOYEES TO AREA HOSPITALS
Tags: us_CA, industrial, release, injury, chlorine

HOSPITAL WORKERS TREATED AFTER CHEMICAL SPILL IN ESSEX
Tags: United_Kingdom, public, release, injury, solvent

GRASSFIRE BURNS CHEMICALS, SLOWS TRAFFIC
Tags: us_CA, industrial, fire, response, waste

MAN'S LEGS BLOWN OFF IN BACKYARD EXPLOSION
Tags: Australia, public, explosion, injury, unknown_chemical

HAZMAT TEAM RESPONDS TO INSECTICIDE SPILL AT CLARINDA FARM
Tags: us_IA, industrial, release, response, pesticides

FAIRVIEW CITY HALL EVACUATED AFTER MOBILE METH LAB BUST NEARBY
Tags: us_TN, public, release, injury, hydrochloric_acid, meth_lab

WATER SUPPLY IS 'SAFE' AFTER STOREY ARMS CHEMICAL SPILL
Tags: United_Kingdom, transportation, release, response, 
copper_carbonate

TWO DIE IN CHEMICAL FACTORY BLAST
Tags: India, industrial, explosion, death, sodium_sulphate

FIRE IN VASCO AS NAPHTHA LINE LEAKS
Tags: India, industrial, fire, injury, naphtha

BUFFALO GROVE CRASH LEADS TO HAZMAT SPILL
Tags: us_IL, public, release, injury, hydrochloric_acid

18-WHEELER CARRYING HAZARDOUS MATERIAL OVERTURNS NEAR HUEY P. LONG 
BRIDGE
Tags: us_LA, transportation, release, response, unknown_chemical, 
Tetrabutylin_Chloride

HAZMAT SITUATION CLEARED, I-95 REOPENED
Tags: us_PA, transportation, release, response, acetic_anhydride

DOW SCIENCE COMPLEX CLOSED UNTIL MONDAY AFTER =91CHEMICAL EXPOSURE=92
Tags: us_MI, laboratory, release, response, unknown_chemical

SMOKE FROM ELEVATOR MOTOR EVACUATES DOW SCIENCE COMPLEX
Tags: us_MI, education, release, response, unknown_chemical

MAN DIES AFTER CHEMICALS INCIDENT
Tags: United_Kingdom, industrial, release, death, unknown_chemical

CHEMICAL VAPORS SEND ONE PERSON TO HOSPITAL
Tags: us_OH, transportation, release, injury, unknown_chemical

AMMONIA LEAK FORCES EVACUATION OF PERDUE PLANT ON EASTERN SHORE
Tags: us_VA, industrial, release, injury, ammonia

2 WOMEN KILLED IN CHEMICAL FACTORY EXPLOSION IN CITY
Tags: India, industrial, explosion, death, hydrogen_peroxide, illegal, 
mek

NY CELLPHONE WORKERS SICKENED IN CLEANER MISHAP
Tags: us_NY, public, release, injury, cleaners

CHEMICAL SPILL SHUTS DOWN SIXTH STREET, CAUSES EVACUATION (AUG. 18, 
2011)
Tags: us_MO, laboratory, release, response, acetone, copper_sulphate, 
methanol

---------------------------------------------

SUSPECTED METH LAB DISCOVERED AT KINGSPORT MOTEL- KINGSPORT TIMES-NEWS

http://www.timesnews.net/article/9035002/suspected-meth-lab-discovered-at-
kingsport-motel
Tags: us_TN, public, release, response, meth_lab

KINGSPORT -- Four suspects are in custody following the discovery of a 
meth lab Saturday afternoon at the West Side Inn on Stone Drive.

Personnel with the Kingsport Police Department, Sullivan County EMS and 
the Kingsport Fire Department=92s HazMat unit responded to a suspicious 
odor complaint at the inn around 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.

A nearby resident made the call, saying the foul odor was coming from 
Room 309.

---------------------------------------------

CONTAMINATED STAFF RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/five-contaminated-chemical-spill-in-timaru
-4360266
Tags: New_Zealand, industrial, release, injury, unknown_chemical

Staff contaminated by a chemical spill at a Timaru factory have been 
released from hospital.

An alkaline substance leaked from the New Zealand Light Leathers 
facility on Meadows Road at about 12.25pm today.

The chemical was meant to go into a treatment plant but a system failure 
resulted in the substance overflowing and running onto a driveway and 
down an effluent drain.

Four staff started feeling unwell and an ambulance and fire crews were 
called to the scene.

The affected people were decontaminated at the site and were treated at 
hospital for breathing problems.

---------------------------------------------

CHEMICAL LEAK SENDS WOODLAND CANNERY EMPLOYEES TO AREA HOSPITALS

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/08/21/3851995/chemical-leak-sends-woodland-cann
ery.html
Tags: us_CA, industrial, release, injury, chlorine

More than 40 employees at a Woodland cannery were taken to Sacramento 
area hospitals and close to 800 to 1,000 people were evacuated shortly 
after noon today when a chemical used in tomato processing leaked into a 
work area, authorities said.

Two employees of Pacific Coast Producers were seriously affected from 
exposure to the gas, chlorine dioxide, according to Greg Robinson, 
battalion chief for the Woodland Fire Department.

He put the number of patients at 43. A dozen ambulances transported 22 
employees to area hospitals. The other 21 were taken to hospitals by 
bus.

Company spokeswoman Mona Shulman said chlorine dioxide leaked into the 
work area in the form of "off-gassing," apparently when an injection 
system carrying the gas became overloaded.

Chlorine dioxide is routinely injected during processing "to keep the 
water and tomatoes sanitary as they go into canning," Shulman said. She 
said work is under way to detect the reason for the overload.

---------------------------------------------

HOSPITAL WORKERS TREATED AFTER CHEMICAL SPILL IN ESSEX
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-14607532
Tags: United_Kingdom, public, release, injury, solvent

Two workers from a hospital in Essex are being treated for the effects 
of a chemical spillage.

The incident happened at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford where they 
were exposed to acidic chemical fumes following a spillage in a storage 
area.

Fire crews were called to the incident on Saturday afternoon involving a 
canister of the citrus fragranced solvent d-Limonene.

Firefighters said the spillage was small and straightforward to deal 
with.

---------------------------------------------

GRASSFIRE BURNS CHEMICALS, SLOWS TRAFFIC
http://www.turnto23.com/news/28928342/detail.html
Tags: us_CA, industrial, fire, response, waste

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- A grassfire in central Bakersfield got into a 
building storing chemicals Saturday afternoon, and the smoke slowed 
traffic way down on Highway 99.
As traffic crawled through the smoke southbound on Highway 99, fire 
crews had to shut down the on-ramp to Golden State Highway as they 
worked.
Fire crews said there were actually two fires. The first was burning 
near Landco Road, along some train tracks in that area. That fire burned 
about seven acres.
The second fire was on Standard Drive, and got into the railroad ties 
and other items being behind some businesses, including an outbuilding 
at B.C. Labs, a chemical company.
Environmental health investigators say flames got close to some 
"chlorinated hazardous waste," but it was contained and nothing was 
released.

---------------------------------------------

MAN'S LEGS BLOWN OFF IN BACKYARD EXPLOSION

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-08-22/backyard-chemical-explosion-melbourn
e/2849354/?site=melbourne
Tags: Australia, public, explosion, injury, unknown_chemical

The Victoria Police arson squad says two men who were critically injured 
in a backyard explosion south-east of Melbourne last night were 
experimenting with chemicals.
A 24-year-old Pakenham man and a 23-year-old man from Cannons Creek are 
undergoing emergency surgery after the chemicals they were mixing 
exploded.
The arson squad says the men planned to bury an improvised explosive 
device they had made, but it blew up earlier than they had expected.

---------------------------------------------

CLARINDA HERALD JOURNAL > ARCHIVES > CLARINDA > COUNCIL BLUFFS 
HAZMAT TEAM RESPONDS TO INSECTICIDE SPILL AT CLARINDA FARM

http://www.southwestiowanews.com/articles/2011/08/19/clarinda/doc4e4c2569c
756c731158288.txt
Tags: us_IA, industrial, release, response, pesticides

A torn bag of insecticide created a potentially dangerous situation near 
Clarinda Monday night, Aug. 15, requiring the response of the Council 
Bluffs Fire Department Hazmat Team.

Page County Emergency Management Coordinator Rod Riley said he was 
notified by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources at approximately 
7:50 p.m. that Robert Henke had reported the spill of a hazardous 
material at his farm two and one-half miles east of Clarinda.

Riley said a bag containing approximately 10 pounds of Thimet 15G broke 
open while the owners of the farm were cleaning a barn where the 
material was stored.

=93The owners estimated the bag had been there 30 to 35 years and had 
not been opened until they were cleaning. Due to the age, the bag broke 
open when they moved it,=94 Riley said. =93One of the residents came in 
contact with the dry powder. It had a strong, pungent odor that drew her 
attention. When they saw what it was they exited the barn and she 
immediately washed it off. She had no symptoms.

---------------------------------------------

FAIRVIEW CITY HALL EVACUATED AFTER MOBILE METH LAB BUST NEARBY

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110819/NEWS03/308190076/Fairview-City-
Hall-evacuated-after-mobile-meth-lab-bust-nearby?odyssey=nav%7Chead
Tags: us_TN, public, release, injury, hydrochloric_acid, meth_lab

Fairview City Hall had to be evacuated and 13 people were taken to local 
hospitals after an acid obtained during a meth lab bust was released 
into the air.

Fairview Police Sgt. Pat Stockdale said officers made a traffic stop at 
about 2:30 p.m. Thursday near City Hall, where the police offices are 
housed.

During the stop a =93shake and bake=94 or =93one pot=94 meth lab was 
found inside the car.

Four suspects were taken into custody, Stockdale said, and charges are 
pending.

=93After the stop, one of the components from the vehicle was brought to 
City Hall for field testing,=94 Stockdale said. =93The officer did not 
know it was hazardous.=94

The ingredient, muriatic acid, is commonly sold in hardware stores.

---------------------------------------------

WATER SUPPLY IS 'SAFE' AFTER STOREY ARMS CHEMICAL SPILL
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-mid-wales-14592807
Tags: United_Kingdom, transportation, release, response, 
copper_carbonate

Police and firefighters were called at 08:50 BST after around 500 litres 
of copper carbonate leaked from a parked container on the A470 near 
Storey Arms.

About 250 litres ran into surface water drains and the Beacon Reservoir.

Officers from Environment Agency Wales said there has been "minimal 
impact to fish life".

The spill has so far had a localised impact on wildlife, with seven dead 
fish reported where the chemical entered the reservoir.

John Harrison, of Environment Agency Wales, said the lack of damage was 
"thanks to the vehicle driver who acted quickly to help contain the 
spill".

Surface drainage system

The agency said it will continue to monitor Beacon Reservoir and the 
nearby stream to make sure there is no further impact over the next few 
days.

The Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said the leak was 
contained with the help of the Environment Agency.

The road was closed for about three hours.

Fire service hazardous materials officer David Sheppard said: "Crews 
were called to leak of approximately 500 litres of copper carbonate from 
a ruptured bulk container.

"The leakage entered the surface drainage system, but was contained 
using Environment Agency grab packs, dam mats, and absorbent granules.

"Six sets of breathing apparatus were used, along with hazardous 
material decontamination equipment."

---------------------------------------------

TWO DIE IN CHEMICAL FACTORY BLAST

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/two-die-in-chemical-factory-blast/176866-60-121
.html
Tags: India, industrial, explosion, death, sodium_sulphate

YDERABAD: A major explosion in a chemical factory at Bapunagar in 
Amberpet on Thursday claimed the lives of two women. The incident at 
Nagamani chemical factory occurred while the women employees were mixing 
chemicals to prepare sodium sulphate in a 20-litre container. Around 
11.30 a.m when both the employees=97 35-year-old V Venkata Lakshmi and 
29-year-old B Kalpana=97 were mixing the chemicals in the container, an 
explosion took place which ripped apart the container. 
Both suffered severe injuries as they took the direct impact of the 
explosion. While Venkata Lakshmi died on the spot, Kalpana died while 
undergoing treatment at a corporate hospital. Both were residents of 
Venkataram Colony in Ramanthapur. Police arrested Nandagopal and 
registered a case.

---------------------------------------------

FIRE IN VASCO AS NAPHTHA LINE LEAKS

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Fire-in-Vasco-as-naphtha-line-
leaks/articleshow/9668989.cms
Tags: India, industrial, fire, injury, naphtha

VASCO: Vasco was hit by a major fire in the naval area at Varunapuri, 
Mangor, Friday night due to a suspected naphtha leak. More than 200 
persons were evacuated from the navy's residential quarters close to the 
fire site.

Five persons were injured, one of them seriously, when they were hit by 
sparks from the fire. Fourteen fire tenders including those from the 
navy, Goa Shipyard Limited, Zuari Industries Limited, Mormugao Port 
Trust and fire services were fighting the fire with chemical foam, whose 
flames rose as high as 20 metres, till late night.

At around 8.10pm some persons near the naval colony gate noticed sparks 
and smoke, which soon turned into flames near a trench dug for road 
widening off the national highway. Within minutes the fire extended 
creating panic in the area. Authorities were alerted and the valves from 
the pumping station and at the port side shut. The pipeline goes to ZIL.

---------------------------------------------

BUFFALO GROVE CRASH LEADS TO HAZMAT SPILL
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110805/news/708059693/
Tags: us_IL, public, release, injury, hydrochloric_acid

Hazardous materials teams were called to a Buffalo Grove driveway after 
an elderly woman crashed her car into her garage, causing a lawn 
chemical to spill and create fumes, authorities said.

The driver plowed the car through her closed garage door after 1 p.m. 
Friday on the 600 block of Bernard Drive. As the car went through the 
garage, it made contact with a chemical and fertilizers commonly used 
for lawns, according to Sgt. Scott Eisenmenger of the Buffalo Grove 
Police Department.

Fumes from spilled hydrochloric acid overcame some of the police 
officers as they attempted to get the woman out of the vehicle. Three 
officers and the woman were treated at the scene for respiratory issues, 
and another officer was transported to the hospital for observation, 
Eisenmenger said.

Hazardous materials teams from Buffalo Grove and two other area fire 
departments were able to neutralize the acid, which was bubbling in the 
middle of the garage. Authorities were concerned that the acid could 
have mixed with torn bags of fertilizer, but the two substances never 
made contact, said Battalion Chief Shawn Collins of the Buffalo Grove 
Fire Department.

---------------------------------------------

18-WHEELER CARRYING HAZARDOUS MATERIAL OVERTURNS NEAR HUEY P. LONG 
BRIDGE

http://www.wwltv.com/news/Crews-working-to-clear-18-wheeler-accident-that-
shut-down-parts-of-Huey-P-Long-128106933.html
Tags: us_LA, transportation, release, response, unknown_chemical, 
Tetrabutylin_Chloride

JEFFERSON, La. -- Hours after it overturned, the Jefferson Parish Fire 
Department and Louisiana State Police were still on the scene of a 
wrecked semi just east of the Huey P. Long Bridge. State Police say the 
cargo on-board is hazardous, but doesn=92t pose as a threat
....=93There is a chemical inside the truck the chemical is called 
Tetrabutylin Chloride, it is a dangerous chemical it can cause skin 
burning, blindness if you get close to the chemical,=94 said Trooper 
Melissa Matey, a spokeswoman for State Police. =93If we do find that 
it=92s leaking, we=92re looking at possibly an overnight clean-up. If 
not, hopefully we can get the truck upright, and get that cleaned up.=94

---------------------------------------------

HAZMAT SITUATION CLEARED, I-95 REOPENED
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=8317188
Tags: us_PA, transportation, release, response, acetic_anhydride

TINICUM TWP., Pa. August 19, 2011 (WPVI) -- A chemical leak from a 
southbound tanker truck on I-95 shut down the highway and Route 420 in 
both directions for several hours.

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Other motorists noticed a leak at approximately 4:45 p.m. Friday and 
pulled the tanker over at the Tinicum exit.

"It was leaking for about five or ten minutes after they pulled him over 
and then it stopped by itself," said Tinicum Assistant Fire Chief 
Jonathan Buschmeier, who was among the first to arrive on the scene and 
made the decision to close the roadways.

According to Delaware County Emergency Services Executive Director Ed 
Truitt, the tanker truck is owned by New Jersey-based Dana Transport, 
Inc, and was bound for St. Louis with 44,000 pounds of acetic anhydride.

Officials report that the leak has been capped, but the roads remained 
closed for several hours while a decontamination unit can assessed the 
damage and Dana representatives offloaded the tanker.

Firefighters evacuated dozens of residents from Colonial Park West to 
Interboro High School.

There were concerns about wind shifts and the chemical reacting with the 
rainwater.

"It worries me, you know, when you have three kids and you have to think 
about how they're going to be and make sure they're safe, because your 
kids are your first concern before yourself, and you have to make sure 
they're safe," said Chrissy Welsh.

I-95 has reopened and those evacuation have been allowed to go back into 
their homes.

Acetic anhydride, used by companies for the coating of photographic 
film, can be corrosive and noxious.

Truitt said the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency is aware of the 
incident and a Department of Environmental Protection representative has 
been dispatched to the scene.

---------------------------------------------

DOW SCIENCE COMPLEX CLOSED UNTIL MONDAY AFTER =91CHEMICAL EXPOSURE=92

http://www.cm-life.com/2009/08/28/breaking-news-police-dow-science-comple-
to-reopen-at-1-p-m-after-chemical-mishap/
Tags: us_MI, laboratory, release, response, unknown_chemical

The university shut down the Dow Science Complex and canceled classes 
today after a base-filled beaker dropped to the ground, releasing 
potentially dangerous chemicals.
Central Michigan University Police reopened the building at about 2 p.m. 
today, allowing students to retrieve materials left in the building =97 
backpacks, laptops, purses and books. The building was officially 
reopened at about 4 p.m., but classes will not resume until Monday 
morning.
=93Especially in a science building, people need to be ready to get out 
quickly,=94 said David Bailey, a Coldwater sophomore who was in class 
when the accident occurred. =93It=92s not as easy as spraying down a 
chemical fire with water. If you do that, the building could blow up. 
One drop of a vase, and the building could be shut down for five hours. 
Students need to be aware of that.=94
Steve Smith, director of public relations, said rooms 343, 344 and 345 
on the third floor will remain closed for another 24 hours to help air 
out the partially airborne chemical exposure.
Smith said anyone who needs their personal items before Monday can 
contact the CMU Police Department, but if students can wait until 
Monday, they need to proceed to the department of the class they were 
attending. Their belongings, he said, will be held safely during the 
weekend.

---------------------------------------------

SMOKE FROM ELEVATOR MOTOR EVACUATES DOW SCIENCE COMPLEX

http://www.cm-life.com/2011/08/18/smoke-observed-at-dow-hall-fire-departme
nt-investigating/
Tags: us_MI, education, release, response, unknown_chemical

There was smoke, but fortunately for the thousands working or moving in 
across campus Thursday, there was no fire.
Faculty and graduate students were evacuated from the Dow Science 
Complex around 3:00 p.m. when the fire alarm was set off by smoke from 
an elevator motor, but there was no fire, said CMU Police Captain Fred 
Harris.
Harris said the report of the fire alarm was received at 2:52 p.m.
=93There was no damage to the building and no injuries,=94 Harris said.
Physics professor Axel Mellinger was one of the first people to smell 
smoke within the building.
=93It was coming from the elevator leading down to the mechanical room,=94
 Mellinger said. =93Hopefully none of the smoke gets into my lab.=94
Mellinger said the campus police were the first to arrive, soon followed 
by the fire department.
=93It=92s funny having this happen to Dow after the flooding and the 
chemical spill,=94 Mellinger said. =93There was even a fire drill 
scheduled for this Friday.=94

---------------------------------------------

THE PRESS ASSOCIATION: MAN DIES AFTER CHEMICALS INCIDENT

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5h6AgLToqAzn6zOOIECT
r2MNQgONg?docId=N0467041313686731812A
Tags: United_Kingdom, industrial, release, death, unknown_chemical

A man has died after he became unwell while working at an industrial 
estate.
It is understood the man, believed to be in his 30s, had collapsed 
inside a chemical tank he had been working in.
Four fire engines, a heavy rescue unit and an ambulance were sent to the 
scene at Diamond Wheels Technologies in Baird Avenue, Dryburgh 
Industrial Estate, in Dundee.
He was taken to Ninewells Hospital in the city, where he died a short 
time later.
Two other members of staff at the alloy wheel business, who had gone to 
their colleague's aid, were assessed at the scene by an ambulance crew 
before they were taken to the same hospital for checks.
Police said there are no concerns for their health at this time.
Emergency services were called at around 1.35pm on Thursday. A spokesman 
for Tayside Police said: "The area concerned was cordoned off and 
Tayside Fire and Rescue Service established a temporary exclusion zone 
around the affected area while the initial stages of the emergency were 
dealt with.

---------------------------------------------

CHEMICAL VAPORS SEND ONE PERSON TO HOSPITAL

http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/chemical-vapors-send-one-p
erson-to-hospital-1233219.html
Tags: us_OH, transportation, release, injury, unknown_chemical

HUBER HEIGHTS -- Vapors from a hazardous chemical sent one person to a 
hospital and prompted a hazardous materials response at Veolia 
Environmental Services on Thursday.
Executive Boulevard =97 the company is located in the 6100 block =97 was 
shut down for a short time while firefighters and a hazardous materials 
response team assessed the situation.
City Fire Chief Mark Ashworth said the person overcome by fumes, who was 
identified as a worker, was taken to a hospital suffering from injuries 
that were not life threatening.
Ashworth said the worker opened the rear doors of a trailer and was 
overcome by the vapors.
The chemical was not identified.
The chief praised officials at Veolia, which transports chemical waster, 
for their response and cooperation.

---------------------------------------------

AMMONIA LEAK FORCES EVACUATION OF PERDUE PLANT ON EASTERN SHORE

http://www.wvec.com/home/Perdue-plant-on-Eastern-Shore-evacuated-due-to-am
monia-leak-128013243.html
Tags: us_VA, industrial, release, injury, ammonia

ACCOMAC - Workers at the Perdue plant in Accomac were evacuated for 
three hours because of an ammonia leak.
Fire officials say Perdue's Haz Mat Team was trying to control the leak 
when crews from several areas arrived just before 8:00 p.m. Wednesday.
More than a dozen workers were evaluated and none needed to be taken to 
hospitals, fire officials stated.
Members of the Eastern Shore Regional HazMat Team, and other emergency 
personnel donned special suits before going in to isolate and control 
the leak.

---------------------------------------------

2 WOMEN KILLED IN CHEMICAL FACTORY EXPLOSION IN CITY

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/2-women-killed-in-chemic
al-factory-explosion-in-city/articleshow/9655402.cms
Tags: India, industrial, explosion, death, hydrogen_peroxide, illegal, 
mek

HYDERABAD: Two daily-wage workers died in an explosion at a chemical 
unit in Amberpet on Thursday morning. 

The two victims were identified as Venkata Lakshmi, 45, and Kalpana, 30, 
of Venkatapuram Colony, who were working at Nagamani Chemicals owned by 
B Nanda Gopal from Bapu Nagar in Amberpet. The incident took place at 
11.30am when the two workers were mixing hydrogen peroxide, methyl ethyl 
ketone and sodium sulphate to produce a chemical substance used in the 
manufacturing of asbestos sheet moulds and coolants. The high intensity 
of the explosion damaged a portion of the chemical unit's roof and 
severely injured both Venkata Lakshmi and Kalpana. 

"With critical burn injuries, Venkata Lakshmi died on the spot and 
Kalpana succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment at a nearby 
private hospital," Amberpet inspector A Srinivas said. 

Police said that the chemical unit was an illegal one. Nanda Gopal, the 
owner of the unit, has been arrested and cases have been booked against 
him under section 304-A (Causing death due to rash or negligent act) of 
the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

---------------------------------------------

NY CELLPHONE WORKERS SICKENED IN CLEANER MISHAP

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/08/18/3847424/ny-cellphone-workers-sickened.htm
l
Tags: us_NY, public, release, injury, cleaners

BOHEMIA, N.Y. -- Authorities say two chemical cleaning agents were 
inadvertently mixed at a New York cellphone business, sickening more 
than four dozen workers.

The Suffolk County police say 54 workers at CWG Communications became 
ill Thursday afternoon. They showed symptoms of nausea, vomiting and 
respiratory distress. Two workers had mild convulsions.

Hazardous material emergency responders responded to the business, which 
cleans and refurbishes cellphones. Many of the sickened were found on a 
lawn outside the facility.

Authorities say a new cleaning agent apparently mixed with some residual 
solution on equipment, causing the reaction. Police Inspector Stuart 
Cameron says it "appears to be just an accident."

---------------------------------------------

THE MANEATER - BLOGS - POLICE BEAT - CHEMICAL SPILL SHUTS DOWN 
SIXTH STREET, CAUSES EVACUATION (AUG. 18, 2011)

http://www.themaneater.com/blogs/crime/2011/8/18/chemical-spill-shuts-down
-sixth-street-causes-evac/
Tags: us_MO, laboratory, release, response, acetone, copper_sulphate, 
methanol

MU Environmental Health and Safety personnel are still determining the 
cause of a chemical spill, which occurred Wednesday night in a 
laboratory in Thomas and Nell Lafferre Hall.

"It was a rupture of a container," Battalion Chief Steven Sapp said. 
"When people think of an explosion, they think of what they see on 
television. This was a rupture."

The incident shut down Sixth Street temporarily and caused the 
evacuation of fewer than 15 people from Thomas and Nell Lafferre Hall 
between 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. No one was injured.

"We were very fortunate that there we no injuries," MU spokesman 
Christian Basi said. "Everyone was evacuated and safe."

The incident occurred in room C-2266 and was reported by two students 
working in a nearby laboratory. The Columbia Fire Department responded 
with the assistance of MUPD and the MU Department of Environmental 
Health and Safety.

"There was reported that a gallon-sized glass container stored in a 
cabinet had ruptured and that some of the material had spilled onto the 
floor of the lab," Sapp said. "When we got there, we went in with 
protective clothing and respirators and identified that is exactly what 
had taken place."

MU officials have identified some of the chemicals involved in the 
spill, including: acetone, methanol and isopropyl alcohol, common 
cleaning solvents, potassium hydroxide, alumninum and copper sulfate, 
according to an MU News Bureau release. The cause of the spill is still 
undetermined.

"The EHS are still looking into why it happened," Basi said. "When we 
have an incident in a laboratory with a spill, which is very rare, we 
will go back and try and determine how it happened. The event may have 
happened due to something we could have prevented; that is part of our 
investigation. It could have been something no one could prevent."

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