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Chemical Safety Headlines From Google
Wednesday, April 18, 2012 8:19:33 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 (9 articles)
RADIOACTIVE DEVICE FOUND ON CAMPUS
Tags: us_TN, education, discovery, response, radiation
DRUG MATERIALS FOUND IN DORM ROOM
Tags: us_VA, education, discovery, response, drugs
CHEMICAL FIRE AT CANTERBURY BREWERY
Tags: New_Zealand, industrial, fire, response, waste
MASSIVE FIRE BURNS IN EAST AMARILLO
Tags: us_TX, industrial, explosion, response, unknown_chemical
GM LAB DAMAGE MIGHT HIT $5M
Tags: us_MI, laboratory, follow-up, injury, batteries, methane, natural_gas
9, INCLUDING EMTS, SICKENED IN NJ HAZMAT INCIDENT
Tags: us_NJ, public, release, injury, unknown_chemical
MONDAY MARKS 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF TEXAS CITY DISASTER
Tags: us_TX, transportation, follow-up, death, ammonium_nitrate
CHEMICAL PLANT SHUTDOWN COULD CUT AUTO PRODUCTION
Tags: us_MI, industrial, follow-up, death, resin
DEADLY BLAST ROCKS EVONIK PLANT
Tags: Germany, industrial, follow-up, death, plastics
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RADIOACTIVE DEVICE FOUND ON CAMPUS
http://www.dailyhelmsman.com/news/radioactive-device-found-on-campus-1.2852159#.T46shu3yfBE
Tags: us_TN, education, discovery, response, radiation
A radioactive device was extracted from a scrap metal Dumpster in an alley between the Heating and Cooling Plant and the Meeman Journalism Building on April 12.
Sharon Whitaker, who works inside Meeman, said she was alarmed when she looked out her window and saw men in HAZMAT suits inside the Dumpster.
"I just kept thinking in my mind, ÔSomething is not right,'" she said. "Whenever you put on a HAZMAT suit, it's got to be something that has to do with your health."
The radioactivity in the Dumpster was first detected on April 5 by monitors at Sims Metal Management, where a truck took the bin to dispose of the waste.
The metal processing company routinely scans the contents of bins brought there to check for radioactive substances before admitting their contents into its facilities.
Monitors initially detected radiation levels that were 35 percent above normal background radiation, also known as naturally-occurring radiation, in the bin brought from The University of Memphis.
The truck carrying the Dumpster was scanned two additional times, producing slightly lower percentage results before the Dumpster was returned to its original location on campus that afternoon.
Alton Simpson, director of environmental health and safety and The University's radiation safety officer, was immediately notified by Physical Plant staff who covered the Dumpster with a tarp to stop the potential spread of contaminants.
---------------------------------------------
DRUG MATERIALS FOUND IN DORM ROOM
http://wtvr.com/2012/04/17/dea-investigates-hazmat-situation-on-vcu-campus/
Tags: us_VA, education, discovery, response, drugs
Virginia Commonwealth University police and the Richmond Police Department, Richmond Fire, Richmond Ambulance and the HAZMAT team are at 10th and Leigh Streets on the VCU MCV campus.
The scene is at the campus residence hall complex known as Warner Rudd Bear and McRae Halls. The dorms were evacuated, said VCU, when campus police found unidentified compounds, liquids and glassware in a student's dorm room.
VCU Police Chief John Venuti said that Tyler Hendon, 27, was arrested earlier Tuesday for possession of marijuana and a controlled substance, DMT.
During the course of the investigation, police executed a search warrant at Warner Hall, where Hendon lived downstairs, alone, on the main floor.
Our reporter on the scene said that the Drug Enforcement Administration suited up with masks and respirators and entered the building.
Mike Porter, spokesperson for VCU, said that air quality monitoring tests were performed, and materials were removed.
Venuti said that no evidence of "a functioning laboratory was found."
---------------------------------------------
CHEMICAL FIRE AT CANTERBURY BREWERY
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/canterbury-earthquake/103684/chemical-fire-at-canterbury-brewery
Tags: New_Zealand, industrial, fire, response, waste
The demolition of the former Canterbury Brewery had to be suspended on Wednesday after a small chemical fire.
The fire was caused by chemicals being taken from the site mixing with nitrous oxide in the bottom of the tank being used to transport the waste.
Workers at the site were evacuated while the fire was brought under control.
---------------------------------------------
MASSIVE FIRE BURNS IN EAST AMARILLO
http://www.connectamarillo.com/news/story.aspx?list=195065&id=743244#.T46rFO3yfBE
Tags: us_TX, industrial, explosion, response, unknown_chemical
AMARILLO, TEXAS -- A massive fire at a warehouse in East Amarillo caused smoke to dominate the Amarillo skyline Tuesday evening.
The blaze is now under control, according to fire officials. Fortunately no injuries were reported.
At least two explosions were reported.
The location is near the area of 30th and Pierce, just off Interstate 27 where the railroad tracks run next to Llano Cemetery. The building that is engulfed is Courtesy Sign Company.
Traffic in the immediate area was stopped by officials and a house near the building was evacuated as a precaution.
The Amarillo Office of Emergency Management requested that citizens avoid the area because it is a biohazard and they believe some type of chemical was in the building. The fire burned extremely hot and quick, fire officials said.
---------------------------------------------
GM LAB DAMAGE MIGHT HIT $5M
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120418/AUTO0103/204180323/1121/AUTO01/GM-lab-damage-might-hit-$5M
Tags: us_MI, laboratory, follow-up, injury, batteries, methane, natural_gas
General Motors Co. officials say damage could hit $5 million following an explosion last week in a battery-testing lab at its Tech Center in Warren, according to a police report obtained by The Detroit News. The blast injured an employee who remained in the hospital Tuesday.
GM Facility Manager Mo Abraham, and Krishon Davis, who works in GM fire prevention, told Warren police that damage "could reach the $5 million mark."
A separate Warren Fire Department report from last Wednesday's explosion estimated $3 million in damage, with property losses at $1 million and contents at $2 million. Warren Fire Commissioner Skip McAdams said Tuesday he estimates the loss is closer to $3 million than $5 million. The figure could change when a full fire investigation report is completed.
GM said last week the explosion was created by gases that vented from an experimental battery pack inside an enclosed room in its battery lab in the Alternative Energy Center building. GM likened the incident to a natural gas explosion, as gases from a battery gathered in the room during extreme testing and ignited.
GM would not comment directly Tuesday on damage estimates cited in the reports.
---------------------------------------------
9, INCLUDING EMTS, SICKENED IN NJ HAZMAT INCIDENT
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=8623732
Tags: us_NJ, public, release, injury, unknown_chemical
PEMBERTON TWP., N.J. - April 16, 2012 (WPVI) -- Nine people, including police and EMTs, were sickened during a hazmat investigation in Burlington County.
The incident took place shortly after 8:00 p.m. along the 400 block of Cherokee Drive in Pemberton Township.
Fire crews responded for the report of a foul odor making residents sick.
Fire and hazmat crews set up a decontamination station.
During the investigation, those sickened were rushed to Deborah Hospital in Browns Mills and Virtua Hospital in Mount Holly.
None of the injuries are believed to be life threatening.
All are expected to be treated and released.
Police say the cause of the odor appears to be household chemicals that had been mixed together.
It's not clear if anyone will be cited in connection with the incident.
---------------------------------------------
MONDAY MARKS 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF TEXAS CITY DISASTER
http://www.click2houston.com/news/Monday-marks-65th-anniversary-of-Texas-City-disaster/-/1735978/10932748/-/135tcel/-/
Tags: us_TX, transportation, follow-up, death, ammonium_nitrate
TEXAS CITY, Texas -
Monday marks a somber day in Texas history.
The SS Grandcamp exploded at the docks in Texas City, killing nearly 600 people, on April 16, 1947.
The ship was carrying ammonium nitrate when the explosion happened 65 years ago.
The crash destroyed the entire dock area along with Grain Warehouses, a nearby chemical company.
---------------------------------------------
CHEMICAL PLANT SHUTDOWN COULD CUT AUTO PRODUCTION
http://www.kansascity.com/2012/04/16/3558636/chemical-plant-blast-could-cut.html
Tags: us_MI, industrial, follow-up, death, resin
DETROIT -- The potential shortage of a key component used to make fuel lines and brake lines could force automakers in the U.S. and around the world to close car and truck plants as they run short of parts.
Auto industry executives have scheduled an unprecedented meeting on Tuesday in suburban Detroit to talk about the problem. Officials from as many as 10 automakers and dozens of parts supply companies are set to attend.
A March 31 explosion at Evonik Industries in western Germany killed two workers and damaged a factory that makes CDT. That chemical is a key component in a nylon resin called PA12, which is used to make a specialized plastic. The plastic is used in auto fuel lines and brake lines. It is also a component in solar cells, pipelines, sporting goods and household items.
Any auto plant closures that might result from the shortage would come at a crucial time for the industry. U.S. sales are the highest they have been in recent years as the industry recovers from the recession. March was the best month for the industry in nearly five years.
Automakers aren't pushing the panic button yet, but they are concerned.
---------------------------------------------
DEADLY BLAST ROCKS EVONIK PLANT
http://cen.acs.org/articles/90/i15/Deadly-Blast-Rocks-Evonik-Plant.html
Tags: Germany, industrial, follow-up, death, plastics
An explosion and subsequent fire that lasted 16 hours has killed two workers at an Evonik Industries chemical plant in Marl, Germany. The cause of the March 31 accident remains unknown but is under investigation by both government authorities and an Evonik contractor.
The accident occurred in the early afternoon at a plant that produces cyclododecatriene, an intermediate used to make nylon 12, flame retardants, flavors, and fragrances. One worker was killed immediately, and hours passed before his body could be recovered. A second worker, who suffered severe burns, died of his injuries two days later.
During the blaze, some unspecified amount of the carcinogen butadiene did leak, an Evonik spokeswoman says. However, she says, the chemical was consumed by fire, which accounted for the black smoke billowing from the plant site. The public was never at risk from exposure to butadiene, and no other chemical was involved in the blaze, she adds.
At C&EN's press time, Evonik did not know the full extent of damage to the Marl plant, but it expects "substantial constraints" for the time being on its output of nylon 12, used in auto parts, photovoltaic modules, and sporting goods. The firm says the accident has not affected output of other plastics made at the site, including the engineering polymers polybutylene terephthalate and polyether ether ketone.
About 10,000 Evonik employees work at the 2.5-sq-mile Marl site, which is also home to 30 other chemical-related companies.
Accidents are infrequent in the German chemical industry. Chemical workers in Germany suffered 9.4 accidents per million hours worked in 2010, according to the German Chemical Industry Association, compared with 41.6 in construction, 9.8 in health care, and 16.5 for all industries. In the U.S., chemical workers experienced 11.0 accidents per million hours worked, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Evonik itself recorded just 1.3 accidents per million hours worked company-wide in 2010 and no deaths.
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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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