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From: "Secretary, ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety" <secretary**At_Symbol_Here**DCHAS.ORG>
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Chemical Safety headlines from Google (13 articles)
Date: October 29, 2012 8:06:10 AM EDT
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Message-ID: <2E3B58B3-17E9-48A7-9893-224842CCB68B**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org>
Chemical Safety Headlines From Google
Monday, October 29, 2012 8:05:57 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 (13 articles)
HAZMAT CALLED TO CALIF. BANK AFTER TAINTED MONEY DEPOSITED
Tags: us_CA, public, release, injury, unknown_chemical
BOMB SQUAD UNIT FINDS FLARES IN PACKET AND CHEMICAL INSTEAD OF DYNAMITE, OFFICIALS SAY
Tags: us_CA, public, discovery, response, explosives
APARTMENT THAT EXPLODED WAS BEING USED AS DRUG LAB
Tags: us_CA, public, explosion, response, illegal, meth_lab
EXPLOSION CAUSED BY METH LAB, POLK DEPUTIES SAY
Tags: us_FL, public, explosion, injury, ether, meth_lab
SOMDNEWS.COM: PAX RIVER TO PAY TO SETTLE HAZARDOUS WASTE VIOLATIONS
Tags: us_MD, industrial, follow-up, environmental, waste
7 CHILDREN FALL ILL AT AGO
Tags: Canada, public, release, injury, carbon_monoxide
AMMONIA LEAK PROMPTS RESPONSE
Tags: us_MO, industrial, release, response, ammonia
WACO HAZMAT TEAM SECURES POSSIBLE MERCURY IN SNUFF CAN
Tags: us_TX, public, discovery, response, mercury
APPLE MANUFACTURER STAFF FACE CHEMICAL SMELLS, UNPAID OVERTIME
Tags: China, industrial, discovery, environmental, other_chemical
HOME EVACUATED AFTER EXPLOSION IN SYDNEY'S SOUTH WEST
Tags: Australia, public, explosion, injury, propane
CHEMICAL REACTION STARTS FIRE IN BETHEL TWP. BARN
Tags: us_OH, industrial, fire, response, diesel, oils
MAJOR FIRE DESTROYS THANE CHEMICAL UNIT
Tags: India, industrial, fire, response, flammables, paints
AS FIRE BRIGADE STRUGGLES TO PUT BLAZE OUT, FACTORY STARTS FALLING APART - THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE
Tags: Pakistan, industrial, fire, response, unknown_chemical
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HAZMAT CALLED TO CALIF. BANK AFTER TAINTED MONEY DEPOSITED
http://www.firehouse.com/news/10817302/tainted-money-in-calif-triggers-hazmat-response
Tags: us_CA, public, release, injury, unknown_chemical
Oct. 20--MODESTO -- Six employees of a Modesto bank were hospitalized Friday afternoon after at least three of them broke out in hives shortly after a customer handed a bank teller money wrapped in a paper towel, authorities said.
....
Minutes later, the teller broke out with hives and had trouble breathing. She came into contact with two other employees, who then exhibited similar symptoms.
Symptoms included fever and blisters, Findlen said.
....
They detected an unknown substance on the money, and at the teller's window where it was deposited. Determining the nature of the substance will require further testing at a lab, Slamon said.
Findlen said detectives believe they have identified the man who brought the paper towel full of contaminated money to the bank, and an investigation into the case is ongoing. No one had been arrested as of Friday night.
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BOMB SQUAD UNIT FINDS FLARES IN PACKET AND CHEMICAL INSTEAD OF DYNAMITE, OFFICIALS SAY
http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/oct/28/chemical-dynamite-removed-from-ventura-home/
Tags: us_CA, public, discovery, response, explosives
Sheriff's officials found flares in a packet Sunday after getting a call about a stick of dynamite at a home, deputies said.
The Ventura County Sheriff's Office bomb squad unit was called to the 200 block of Baker Avenue to investigate the possible explosive, officials said.
The home was evacuated, and the flares were found in a construction training kit that was owned by a now deceased man who had lived in the home, officials said.
About 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Ventura city firefighters responded to a report of chemical odor at the home, said Assistant Fire Chief David Endaya. A woman told them she thought there were explosives in a pouch.
Firefighters said the smell in the home was beyond normal, and a hazmat unit went inside, Endaya said.
The hazmat team found a leaking gallon of malathion in the garage, he said.
Malathion is used to kill Mediterranean fruit flies and mosquitoes in large outdoor areas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It also is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treatment of head lice.
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APARTMENT THAT EXPLODED WAS BEING USED AS DRUG LAB
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_21861209/apartment-that-exploded-was-being-used-drug-lab
Tags: us_CA, public, explosion, response, illegal, meth_lab
SANTA CLARITA, Calif.ÑAuthorities say a northern Los Angeles County apartment that blew up, severely burning a man, was being used as an illegal drug lab.
The Daily News of Los Angeles ( http://bit.ly/R5TPTZ) says Wednesday's blast occurred at a marijuana grow lab in the Canyon Country unit. Sheriff's Sgt. Daniel Stanley says the blast resulted from a chemical extraction process used to make concentrated cannabis.
Fireworks also were found in the apartment.
One man was burned in the blast but his name and condition haven't been released.
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EXPLOSION CAUSED BY METH LAB, POLK DEPUTIES SAY
http://www2.tbo.com/news/news/2012/sep/28/explosion-caused-by-meth-lab-polk-deputies-say-ar-516870/
Tags: us_FL, public, explosion, injury, ether, meth_lab
An explosion at an Auburndale home on Thursday night was caused during the manufacturing of methamphetamine, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.
The homeowner, Christopher Shrader, 39, of 201 Fish Haven Road, Lot 59, was taken to Tampa General Hospital for severe chemical burns.
When investigators arrived at the home, several items used to make methamphetamine were located outside of the home, the sheriff's office said.
It appears that "when Shrader was attempting to extract the ether from a bottle that the fumes ignited causing a large flash explosion," the sheriff's office said.
Before deputies arrived at the scene, Shrader tried to hide a gas mask and lithium batteries in his 2011 Chevrolet pickup and gave neighbors a safe that contained a Glock handgun. The neighbors returned the safe to deputies.
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SOMDNEWS.COM: PAX RIVER TO PAY TO SETTLE HAZARDOUS WASTE VIOLATIONS
http://www.somdnews.com/article/20121026/NEWS/710269782/1056/pax-river-to-pay-to-settle-hazardous-waste-violations&template=southernMaryland
Tags: us_MD, industrial, follow-up, environmental, waste
The U.S. Navy has agreed to pay a $38,500 penalty to settle alleged hazardous waste violations at Patuxent River Naval Air Station as well as the annex at Webster Field.
The Environmental Protection Agency inspected the Navy base during four days in June 2008 and found multiple violations, although most involved delinquency in preventative measures dealing with hazardous materials, an EPA spokesperson said, adding that none were immediately dangerous to people.
The violations were found in 11 buildings, including public works transportation, the hazmat warehouse, hangar, fleet readiness center, the Navy Exchange and the materials lab.
---------------------------------------------
7 CHILDREN FALL ILL AT AGO
http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/news/local/article/233090--hazmat-team-at-ago-after-5-kids-fall-ill
Tags: Canada, public, release, injury, carbon_monoxide
team is investigating after seven children fell ill at the Art Gallery of Ontario on Friday afternoon.
One child fainted and four others complained of abdominal pain while viewing the Frida & Diego exhibit.
They were taken to hospital as a precaution and are expected to be fine.
"Preliminary indications are it might be carbon monoxide," Toronto police Sgt. Ian McLaughlin said.
"There's no levels of anything outside the ordinary inside the AGO. It may have been something out in the street, like a construction site or a bus idling," he added.
---------------------------------------------
AMMONIA LEAK PROMPTS RESPONSE
http://www.hannibal.net/article/20121026/NEWS/121029035/-1/news
Tags: us_MO, industrial, release, response, ammonia
PALMYRA -- Emergency responders from Palmyra and the surrounding area converged on a business located east of Palmyra Friday morning after a report of an ammonia leak around 8 a.m.
That response was cancelled at 8:20 a.m. after a unit of the Palmyra Fire Department reached the scene and deemed there was no emergency.
Reportedly a small amount of anhydrous ammonia was released at CF Industries, 2834 County Road 359, due to a faulty valve. The leak was stopped remotely.
According to its Web site (http://www.cfindustries.com) the Palmyra Ammonia Terminal receives ammonia by pipeline and by barge on the Mississippi River from the company's Donaldsonville nitrogen complex. It ships ammonia to customers via truck.
---------------------------------------------
WACO HAZMAT TEAM SECURES POSSIBLE MERCURY IN SNUFF CAN
http://www.wacotrib.com/news/176137061.html
Tags: us_TX, public, discovery, response, mercury
Waco firefighters responded to a call Saturday and found what appeared to be about an ounce of mercury in a can of snuff on the side of the road, officials said.
Assistant Fire Chief Patrick Kerwin said the department received a call about 6:15 p.m. from a man who was collecting cans in the 8000 block of Woodway Drive.
The man suspected the substance was mercury, Kerwin said. Firefighters agreed and called the hazardous materials team, which secured the substance and took it for testing, he said.
Officials had no idea how the substance might have gotten there, Kerwin said.
---------------------------------------------
APPLE MANUFACTURER STAFF FACE CHEMICAL SMELLS, UNPAID OVERTIME
http://www.macworld.com.au/news/apple-manufacturer-staff-face-chemical-smells-unpaid-overtime-77682/
Tags: China, industrial, discovery, environmental, other_chemical
As Apple prepares to start selling its new iPad mini, workers at a Chinese factory that manufactures the product have been enduring chemical fumes, 12-hour work shifts and alleged company mismanagement as they assemble the new device.
"The working conditions here are trash, there's no need to bring it up," said a 25-year-old worker surnamed Wu. "You can work for overtime for two days, but the company will only pay for one of them."
The factory, run by RiTeng Computer Accessory Co., is located on the outskirts of Shanghai and mainly builds products for Apple, according to workers interviewed on Wednesday. Due to the increased production of Apple's iPad products, some workers have seen their shifts reach 12 hours a day, with no rest on the weekends. The added hours mean better pay, often ranging between 3,000 yuan ($460) to 4,000 yuan a month.
"The job is OK," said a worker, surnamed He, who packages products. "I didn't really have plans after I graduated school. I'm just doing this to make money."
But the money doesn't come easily. Along with the long shifts, workers complained of the noxious chemical fumes in the factory caused by the cutting fluid used, and worried about its health effects.
"The smell is indescribable," said a 25-year-old machine operator surnamed Wang, who declined to give his full name. "It feels like there is smoke in the air."
---------------------------------------------
HOME EVACUATED AFTER EXPLOSION IN SYDNEY'S SOUTH WEST
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/home-evacuated-after-explosion-in-sydneys-south-west/story-e6frg6n6-1226504847118
Tags: Australia, public, explosion, injury, propane
A MAN remains under police guard in hospital after an explosion inside a garage at a home in Sydney's south west.
Chemical investigators have been called in to determine what sparked the blaze at Sierra Place in Middleton Grange about 11am.
Several of the home's residents fled the property while neighbours were evacuated by emergency services.
A police spokesman said: "one injured man was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital with burns."
"A crime scene has been established and is being established by specialist police."
A spokesman for NSW Fire and Rescue said the blaze was believed to have been started by an LPG cylinder.
---------------------------------------------
CHEMICAL REACTION STARTS FIRE IN BETHEL TWP. BARN
http://www.whiotv.com/news/news/hazmat-team-called-to-fire-in-bethel-twp-barn/nSpd7/
Tags: us_OH, industrial, fire, response, diesel, oils
BETHEL TWP. Ñ A chemical reaction involving resin and Fiberglas was blamed for a fire in a barn Friday that caused an estimated $100,000 in damage.
The owner/operator of a semitrailer rig had done some body work on the hood of the rig, then went to a hardware store, Bethel Twp. fire Assistant Chief Jennifer Cotterman said.
When the man returned to his home, 11408 Lower Valley Pike, he noticed smoke coming from the barn in the backyard and called the fire department, Cotterman said.
The man, whose name was not available, had pulled the rig out of the barn before fire crews arrived at 3:57 p.m., but there were chemicals, diesel fuel, oils, tires, a forklift and other items still in the structure, the assistant chief said.
Crews from several fire departments quickly knocked down the fire, which left the structure standing but damaged the skylights, she said. Damage was estimated at $50,000 to the contents and $50,000 to the structure.
A hazardous materials unit was dispatched but not needed because the fear about chemicals in the barn were not realized, Cotterman said. No one was injured, she said.
---------------------------------------------
MAJOR FIRE DESTROYS THANE CHEMICAL UNIT
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/major-fire-destroys-thane-chemical-unit/1022954/
Tags: India, industrial, fire, response, flammables, paints
A major fire broke out in Thane's Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) area, Boisar, on Saturday. The blaze, which destroyed an entire chemical unit manufacturing paints, took over six hours to be doused, said fire officials. While no injuries or casualties were reported, three manufacturing units were gutted, they said. The fire broke out at DR Coats around 12.30 pm and was doused at 5.30 pm, they said.
Senior Inspector Uttam Sonawane of MIDC Boisar police station said, "The paint manufacturing unit had resin, a highly inflammable chemical. Investigation indicates that chemical spilled on to floor and an electric pump on premises caused a spark that led to fire. The exact cause is yet to be ascertained." Over 15 labourers were working in factory at the time, said Sonawane.
"The unit contained many inflammable chemicals and the fire spread. A foam machine was called in," said an official. Workers from nearby factories were evacuated as the cooling operations were in progress, the official said.
The health and safety department of the MIDC will conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident, even as a case of accidental fire has been registered, said Sonawane.
---------------------------------------------
AS FIRE BRIGADE STRUGGLES TO PUT BLAZE OUT, FACTORY STARTS FALLING APART - THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE
http://tribune.com.pk/story/457656/late-night-inferno-rescue-teams-struggle-to-put-out-karachi-factory-fire/
Tags: Pakistan, industrial, fire, response, unknown_chemical
KARACHI: A section of the chemical warehouse of a plastic packages manufacturing factory in the Sindh Industrial Trading Estate (SITE), Karachi, has collapsed after the fire there was still raging 19 hours on, Express News reported.
The fires have severely weakened the five storied structure, and parts of it have started to collapse. Firefighters, fearing their lives, are not venturing inside the structure and are continuing to combat the blaze from outside.
Executive District Officer Municipal Services Shoukat Zaman said 40 fire tenders, including two snorkels were struggling to extinguish the fire and were provided with foam.
However, Express News correspondent Nadeem Ahmed said that the foam has not been used in adequate quantities.
The fire had reportedly started late Saturday night. While the fire brigade had reached the area immediately, it was struggling to control the fire. Such was the intensity of the fire, that it was quickly elevated to a category three and fire tenders from across the city were called in to help put the blaze out. Even PAF fire tenders from the nearby Masroor airbase tried to help in putting the blaze out. Several explosions were heard within the factory as well
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