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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 (15 articles)
Date: February 25, 2013 7:49:39 AM EST
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Message-ID: <B6D385D8-12F1-4DB1-9CC5-9C4161E76CC2**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org>
Chemical Safety Headlines From Google
Monday, February 25, 2013 7:49:17 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 (15 articles)
CHINA ACKNOWLEDGES ÔCANCER VILLAGES', UNVEILS ÔBREAKTHROUGH' CHEMICAL PLAN
Tags: China, industrial, follow-up, environmental, toxics
HAZMAT UNIT INVESTIGATES FUMES AT FLAGLER HOSPITAL
Tags: us_FL, public, release, response, sewer_gas
MYSTERIOUS FIRE BREAKS OUT IN CHEMICAL FACTORY
Tags: Pakistan, industrial, fire, response, unknown_chemical
CHEMICAL STORAGE BUILDING GUTTED
Tags: India, industrial, explosion, response, gas_cylinders, solvent
AT LEAST 5 INJURED IN CHEMICAL PLANT EXPLOSION IN SW CHINA
Tags: China, industrial, explosion, injury, other_chemical
THE BLAST OCCURRED DUE TO THE CHEMICAL REACTION: COLONEL TIN WIN
Tags: Malaysia, transportation, follow-up, injury, oxidizer
FIRE AT CHEMICAL GODOWN
Tags: India, industrial, explosion, response, gas_cylinders
15 VEHICLES GUTTED IN CHEMICAL UNIT FIRE
Tags: India, industrial, fire, response, gas_cylinders, pesticides
HAZMAT RESPONDS TO MINOR CHEMICAL SPILL AT UTPB
Tags: us_TX, laboratory, release, injury, other_chemical
LAWSUITS PILING UP OVER PAULSBORO CHEMICAL SPILL
Tags: us_NJ, transportation, follow-up, injury, other_chemical
GOOGLE BUILDINGS POLLUTED WITH TOXIC VAPORS FROM CHEMICAL SPILLS
Tags: us_CA, industrial, release, response, solvent
HOME FIRES CAUSED BY CARELESS COOKING
Tags: Canada, public, follow-up, response, fire_extinguisher
CHEMICALS BLAMED FOR FIRE THAT DESTROYED HOME
Tags: us_NH, public, fire, response, unknown_chemical
150 STUDENTS, STAFF EVACUATED FROM UMAINE'S HITCHNER HALL AFTER CHEMICAL REACTION RELEASES GAS Ñ BANGOR Ñ BANGOR DAILY NEWS Ñ BDN MAINE
Tags: us_ME, laboratory, release, injury, chlorine, waste
SUSPECT IN UC DAVIS BLAST RELEASED ON $2 MILLION BAIL
Tags: us_CA, laboratory, follow-up, response
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CHINA ACKNOWLEDGES ÔCANCER VILLAGES', UNVEILS ÔBREAKTHROUGH' CHEMICAL PLAN
http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=170587
Tags: China, industrial, follow-up, environmental, toxics
Greenpeace hailed China's commitment to clean up chemical pollution with a breakthrough chemical management plan that acknowledges for the first time the existence of Ôcancer villages' and will blacklist 58 chemicals and have an elimination chemical list by 2015.
"China has been the world's largest chemical producer since 2010. The Plan indicates that the massive pollution found across the country, caused by large-scale chemical production and the release of hazardous chemicals, urgently needs to be tackled," said Yixiu Wu, Toxic Campaigner for Greenpeace East Asia based on Beijing.
"It's our hope that this announcement is quickly implemented and enforced - about half of China's rivers are not suitable for domestic use, and around 20% are deemed useless even for industrial purposes. We simply cannot wait any longer."
The Five Year Plan highlights the risks that toxic chemicals have posed to the nation's environment and health.
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HAZMAT UNIT INVESTIGATES FUMES AT FLAGLER HOSPITAL
http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2013-02-24/hazmat-unit-investigates-fumes-flagler-hospital#.UStdZ6Ice5I
Tags: us_FL, public, release, response, sewer_gas
Flagler Hospital security guards called St. Johns County Fire Rescue to report noxious fumes Sunday afternoon, prompting the Fire Rescue Hazmat team to respond to the hospital's oncology wing just before noon.
Fire Rescue spokesman Andrew O'Quinn said the fumes were determined by the Hazmat team to be sewer gas from backed-up vent pipes in Flagler's oncology wing.
O'Quinn said the team checked the building for gases and radiation levels above those in a normal oncology setting but deemed the area safe.
The wing remained operational as Hazmat ventilated the space in about 45 minutes. O'Quinn said the hospital had a past problem with the presence of sewer gas and that it is not uncommon for the piping in that area.
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MYSTERIOUS FIRE BREAKS OUT IN CHEMICAL FACTORY
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page 13%5C02%5C25%5Cstory_25-2-2013_pg12_10
Tags: Pakistan, industrial, fire, response, unknown_chemical
KARACHI: A mysterious fire broke out at a chemical factory in Ibrahim Hyderi, Korangi within the limits of Ibrahim Hyderi police station here on Sunday. Fortunately, no loss of life was reported. According to fire department, after getting the information of fire at the factory, two fire tenders rushed to the site and started rescue work to extinguish the fire. They said that fire tenders managed to completely extinguish the fire in one hour rescue work. They informed that fire apparently broke out due to short-circuit. Further investigation was underway. staff report
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CHEMICAL STORAGE BUILDING GUTTED
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-02-24/hyderabad/37269325_1_major-fire-fire-department-fire-control-room
Tags: India, industrial, explosion, response, gas_cylinders, solvent
HYDERABAD: In a major fire, NDT Chemical Pvt Ltd, an unauthorised chemical storage unit located in the heart of Kukatpally area, was gutted here on Saturday.
Four kegs of industrial cleaning spray, 12 LPG cylinders and five barrels of other solvents, all of which are highly inflammable substances, were stored at the four-storied building, which stood behind a shopping complex called Metro.
About six two-wheelers and a four-wheelers parked near the building were damaged in the incident. The fire fighting officials averted major damages to people and property in the busy stretch by controlling the fire within three hours.
As per fire department officials, the fire might have spread when workers of the storage unit were filling the corrosive cleaning spray into smaller containers. The unit, owned by Sudhakar Reddy (who is currently absconding), used to regularly supply cleaning spray to markets within and outside the city, officials said. No injuries and casualties were reported.
Officials said the fire broke out at around 3pm and was reported at the fire control room at 3.40pm. "By the time the fire tending vehicles reached the spot, all LPG cylinders had exploded. The chemicals which were in smaller containers were exploding in bulk. It was difficult to complete the fire fighting operations as there was also an electric pole near the building," said a fire official.
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AT LEAST 5 INJURED IN CHEMICAL PLANT EXPLOSION IN SW CHINA
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/763955.shtml
Tags: China, industrial, explosion, injury, other_chemical
Photo taken on February 25, 2013 shows the scene of a chemical plant blast in Baiyun district of Guiyang, capital of Southwest China's Guizhou Province. At least five people were injured in a chemical plant explosion in Guiyang on Monday morning. Part of the plant, which belongs to Bestchem, a local chemical company, was still burning by noon. Firefighters have been deployed to the blast scene while local environmental authorities are keeping an eye on the air quality. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)
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THE BLAST OCCURRED DUE TO THE CHEMICAL REACTION: COLONEL TIN WIN
http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/national/2562-the-blast-occurred-due-to-the-chemical-reaction-colonel-tin-win
Tags: Malaysia, transportation, follow-up, injury, oxidizer
Chemical reaction was to be blamed for the cause of the blast on February 4, 2013, at an oil tanker in Hlaing River in Yangon, an incident that ended in the death of four person and six injuries.
The blast and fire were occurred when the vessel Myawady (003) was transferring oil to two vessels namely "Aung Thuka Ayera" and "Kaung Myat Kyaw" in that evening at the Bayintnaung jetty in the city.
The case was investigated by the investigation team and found out the main cause was the chemical reaction, approved the region minister.
"The investigation shows it was the chemical reaction"
"Combustion is the sequence of exothermic chemical reactions between a fuel and an oxidant. The burning can also occur when you use something like nylon or plastic material to draw a kind of fuel," explained Chemist Dr Khin Mung Nyo concerning the chemical reaction.
The huge fire also destroyed three boats, a wooden jetty and some logs on the jetty close by.
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FIRE AT CHEMICAL GODOWN
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/fire-at-chemical-godown/article4446940.ece
Tags: India, industrial, explosion, response, gas_cylinders
A major fire broke out at a chemical godown in Vignapuri colony of Kukatpally on Saturday afternoon, triggering panic in the residential area.
Five scooters and one car parked outside the building were gutted in the mishap.
Eye witnesses said the fire broke out at around 3.30 p.m. in the ground floor of the four-storied building and soon spread to the upper floors.
Gas cylinders stored in the premises exploded, leading to tension in the area, they said.
Alerted by local people, the police immediately rushed to the spot and summoned fire tenders.
The building owner was believed to have been using the ground and the upper two floors for storing chemical substances while a couple of offices were situated on the third floor of the building.
It took about an hour for the fire personnel to bring it under control.
"The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained and investigation is on," said P. Prabhakar Reddy, District Fire Officer.
Revenue Division Officer, Chevella Division, P. Ravinder Reddy, who visited the spot, said necessary action would be initiated against the owner of the building after conducting an enquiry.
Residents of the area complained that the authorities were deliberately allowing chemical godowns and units to function in residential areas and wanted the authorities to close them down.
---------------------------------------------
15 VEHICLES GUTTED IN CHEMICAL UNIT FIRE
http://newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/article1476659.ece
Tags: India, industrial, fire, response, gas_cylinders, pesticides
At least 15 vehicles including a four-wheeler were reduced to ashes in a major fire that broke out in a chemical factory at Kukatpally here on Saturday. However, no one was injured in the mishap.
The chemical factory mishap was located close to Metro super market in Kukatpally. Fire brigades rushed to the spot and brought the flames under control.
Flames started emanating from the NDT Chemicals at around 3.30 p.m. The staff immediately alerted Madhapur fire station. As many as five tenders were rushed to the spot and doused the flames,'' P Prabhakar Swami, Rangareddy district fire officer said.
Ô'Minutes after the fire service staff received information, fire tenders from Sanathnagar, Filmnagar, Patancheru, Jeedimetla and Madhapur rushed to the spot and extinguished the flames. It took two hours to douse them,'' the fire service officer said.
NDT company manufactures pesticides. The flames emanated due to gas leakage from one of the cylinders and soon flames engulfed the entire factory and spread to adjoining housing complex and Metro super market.
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HAZMAT RESPONDS TO MINOR CHEMICAL SPILL AT UTPB
http://www.oaoa.com/news/fire_and_rescue/article_2a1a0bda-7e1e-11e2-a122-0019bb30f31a.html
Tags: us_TX, laboratory, release, injury, other_chemical
A minor chemical spill by a student in a chemistry lab prompted a precautionary evacuation of University of Texas of the Permian Basin's science building on Saturday evening.
The spill injured no one and caused no damage, said Battalion Chief Kavin Tinney, with Odessa Fire and Rescue.
The chemical, Tetramethylethylenediamine, smells like fish and Tinney said it can be harmful to those who inhale it. About 2 milliliters were spilled.
UTPB labs are insulated, but officials there still cut off the air conditioning and evacuated the building to be safe, Tinney said. The labs also have their own clean-up kits.
"A professor was doing some lab work with students and decided the most conservative response was the best response," said UTPB President David Watts, who came to the scene.
Tinney said a firefighter in a safety suit cleaned up the chemical with an absorber similar to kitty litter. The chemical will be disposed of by UTPB.
"If you're going to a respond to a chemical spill," Tinney said. "You want it to be here."
---------------------------------------------
LAWSUITS PILING UP OVER PAULSBORO CHEMICAL SPILL
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20130222_Lawsuits_piling_up_over_Paulsboro_chemical_spill.html
Tags: us_NJ, transportation, follow-up, injury, other_chemical
Lawsuits accusing Conrail and its parent companies, CSX Corp. and Norfolk Southern Corp., of negligence in the November train derailment and chemical spill in Paulsboro continue to mount, and lawyers say more than 20 percent of the town has spoken to counsel.
The latest suit, on behalf of 13 residents, seeks punitive damages and medical monitoring for possible future health problems. It was filed in Common Pleas Court in Philadelphia, where Conrail is based.
At least 1,300 people, most from Paulsboro but some from surrounding towns such as Gibbstown, have consulted lawyers about joining the suits, according to the lawyers. That is more than one-fifth of Paulsboro's population of 6,100.
Nine lawsuits, including seven seeking class-action status, have been filed in U.S. District Court in Camden, according to a court official. Eight of those have been consolidated for pretrial purposes, the official said, though they are likely to be treated as separate cases if they reach tri
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GOOGLE BUILDINGS POLLUTED WITH TOXIC VAPORS FROM CHEMICAL SPILLS
http://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherhelman/2013/02/23/google-buildings-polluted-with-toxic-vapors-from-chemical-spills/
Tags: us_CA, industrial, release, response, solvent
Silicon Valley was all abuzz on Friday over news that two of GoogleÔs buildings on North Whisman Road in Mountain View were suffering from toxic vapors seeping up from the ground below.
The pollution is caused by trichloroethylene venting up through the soil. TCE, as it's called, is a powerful solvent that was used in vast quantities by semiconductor manufacturers like Fairchild, Intel and Raytheon in the early days of Silicon Valley.
Tons of TCE leaked out of fabrication facilities into the soil and also polluting groundwater. The leaks in the area around Whisman Road and Middlefield Road Ñ where Google's buildings are located Ñ were so bad that the site was designated a Superfund priority. Just one of 28 microchip-related Superfund sites in Silicon Valley.
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HOME FIRES CAUSED BY CARELESS COOKING
http://www.lfpress.com/2013/02/20/a-closer-look-you-need-to-master-how-to-use-home-fire-extinguishers
Tags: Canada, public, follow-up, response, fire_extinguisher
According to Fire Prevention Canada, careless cooking is the No. 1 cause of the fastest-spreading residential fires in Ontario.
Having a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and knowing how to use it could save your life and your property. With so many different kinds of fire extinguishers on the market, how do you know which one to buy?
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CHEMICALS BLAMED FOR FIRE THAT DESTROYED HOME
http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130223/GJNEWS_01/130229664
Tags: us_NH, public, fire, response, unknown_chemical
SOMERSWORTH Ñ A chemical combustion is believed to have caused a fire that destroyed a mobile home early Friday morning, according to Somersworth Fire Lt. Kenneth Vincent.
Fire officials are still investigating what caused the chemical reaction, which took place underneath the kitchen sink, Vincent said.
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150 STUDENTS, STAFF EVACUATED FROM UMAINE'S HITCHNER HALL AFTER CHEMICAL REACTION RELEASES GAS Ñ BANGOR Ñ BANGOR DAILY NEWS Ñ BDN MAINE
http://bangordailynews.com/2013/02/21/news/bangor/150-students-staff-evacuated-from-umaines-hitchner-hall-after-chemical-reaction-releases-gas/
Tags: us_ME, laboratory, release, injury, chlorine, waste
ORONO, Maine Ñ About 150 people inside Hitchner Hall at the University of Maine were evacuated late Thursday morning after a chemical reaction released chlorine gas in the building, according to university spokeswoman Margaret Nagle.
Four people were sent to Cutler Health Center on campus for observation, but none showed any obvious signs of injury or ill effects from the gas, Nagle said.
A lab manager on the third floor of Hitchner Hall was neutralizing chlorine tablets in a five-gallon bucket in preparation for disposal shortly before noon on Friday. Chlorine tablets are used in laboratories as a disinfectant.
The manager added sodium bisulfate and water to the mix, which "reacted and offed gas," according to the spokeswoman.
"The lab manager put the lid on the bucket, pulled the fire alarm and called the University of Maine Police Department, which evacuated the building," Nagle said.
The Orono-Old Town Hazardous Materials Team, one of four hazmat teams in the state, determined that the chemical reaction was contained in the bucket and there were no further chemical reactions or residuals in the building.
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SUSPECT IN UC DAVIS BLAST RELEASED ON $2 MILLION BAIL
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/02/20/5202177/suspect-in-uc-davis-blast-released.html
Tags: us_CA, laboratory, follow-up, response
Former UC Davis chemistry researcher David Snyder is free on $2 million bail pending a scheduled March 14 court date, but he can't set foot on the grounds of his alma mater without first notifying campus police.
Family members last week put up homes and other properties as collateral securing bail for Snyder's release, said Michael Cabral, Yolo County chief assistant deputy district attorney. Snyder was released late Wednesday or Thursday, Cabral said.
Snyder has pleaded not guilty to 17 explosives- and weapons-related charges in Yolo Superior Court related to the blast in the early morning hours of Jan. 17 at his Russell Park complex in Davis. The explosion left him injured, chased more than 70 residents from their homes and brought bomb squads to the scene from across the region.
Snyder remains free pending the March hearing in Yolo Superior Court, but a court order bars him from UC Davis grounds unless he has first notified university police, Cabral said.
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