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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 (16 articles)
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2015 07:16:54 -0500
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Message-ID: EE775B61-F9C0-4888-B0CF-189E4FCE9C29**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org
Chemical Safety Headlines From Google
Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at 7:16:37 AM
A membership benefit of the ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety
All article summaries and tags are archived at http://pinboard.in/u:dchas
Table of Contents (16 articles)
A TABLET THAT SHIFTS THE CLOCK
Tags: public, discovery, environmental, radiation
IN-DEPTH RADIO :: UPDATE: AMMONIA LEAK AT ETOBICOKE ARENA :: NEWS
Tags: Canada, public, release, response, ammonia
GRAND DESERT HOMES EVACUATED AFTER COLE HARBOUR SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE INCIDENT
Tags: Canada, public, discovery, response, unknown_chemical
METH MATERIALS FOUND IN CORNELL UNIVERSITY PERFORMING ARTS BUILDING
Tags: us_NY, public, discovery, response, illegal, meth_lab
SURAT CHEMICAL GODOWN CATCHES FIRE
Tags: India, industrial, explosion, response, gas_cylinders
FIRE ERUPTS AT FURNITURE PLANT
Tags: United_Arab_Emirates, industrial, fire, response, flammables
CONTRACTOR CITED FOLLOWING MARION PLANT DEATH
Tags: us_IN, industrial, follow-up, death, metals
BLAST AT INDIAN CHEMICAL FACTORY KILLS 1, INJURES 4
Tags: India, industrial, explosion, death, pharmaceutical
WATER TESTS AFTER OIL SPILL IN GLENDIVE REVEAL TOXIC CHEMICAL
Tags: us_MT, transportation, release, response, benzene, petroleum
TYSON TO PAY $539,000 FOR MISSOURI CHEMICAL SPILL
Tags: us_MO, public, follow-up, environmental, water_treatment
MENIFEE: TRAFFIC ACCIDENT CAUSES ACID SPILL, HAZMAT CLEANUP (UPDATE)
Tags: us_CA, transportation, release, injury, hydrochloric_acid
WKOW 27 LOCAL NEWS: UPDATE: CUBA CITY PD: CHEMICAL MIXTURE CONSISTENT WITH CRUDE EXPLOSIVES
Tags: us_WI, public, discovery, injury, unknown_chemical, bomb, explosives
AGL UNABLE TO MONITOR CSG FRACKING CHEMICAL IN GLOUCESTER PROJECT
Tags: Australia, public, discovery, environmental, toxics
GUELPH CHEMICAL PLANT EVACUATED
Tags: Canada, industrial, release, response, corrosives, paints
TWO DIE IN CHEMICAL FACTORY BLAST IN SATARA
Tags: India, industrial, explosion, death, ethanol
SCHUMER: OUTLAW HOMEMADE EXPLOSIVES
Tags: us_NY, public, discovery, response, bomb, explosives, illegal
---------------------------------------------
A TABLET THAT SHIFTS THE CLOCK
Tags: public, discovery, environmental, radiation
When my parents bought our first color television in the early 1970s, they measured off 6 ft from the screen and insisted that we not watch from any closer distance. They feared blinding radiation emanating from the color cathode tube (indeed, in 1967 General Electric did recall 90,000 televisions that produced X-rays at thousands of times the recommended exposure level, but other than with this model, there was no demonstrable risk). Fast forward 40 y, and I see my teenage child spending most free moments in the evenings staring at her computer screen, phone, or tablet at close range. Is there risk in this? In PNAS, Chang et al. (1) provide compelling data that there may indeed be unappreciated effects and perhaps dangers of evening exposure to electronic screens, specifically demonstrating a negative effect on sleep in young adults following evenings spent reading from a tablet-based eReader.
---------------------------------------------
IN-DEPTH RADIO :: UPDATE: AMMONIA LEAK AT ETOBICOKE ARENA :: NEWS
Tags: Canada, public, release, response, ammonia
Toronto Fire have cleared an ammonia leak from the Park Lawn Park hockey arena.
The call came in just after 5pm, to the Etobicoke arena on Park Lawn Road north of The Queensway.
Toronto EMS officials told NEWSTALK 1010 one person was taken to hospital, but the extent of the injury is not yet known.
Firefighters dressed in hazmat suits were going into the building to shut off valves that they believe responsible for the leak in the compression room of the arena and succeeded just before 8 p.m. Tuesday.
---------------------------------------------
GRAND DESERT HOMES EVACUATED AFTER COLE HARBOUR SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE INCIDENT
Tags: Canada, public, discovery, response, unknown_chemical
A second evacuation order has been issued in the community of Grand Desert in connection to a suspicious package containing hazardous chemicals found on Lakeridge Crescent in Cole Harbour earlier Tuesday.
Early Tuesday evening, RCMP tweeted that five homes on Dyke Road were being evacuated and residents told to relocate for the night. RCMP said they had found hazardous and volatile chemicals in a cottage on the road.
The Canadian Red Cross says it will help find places for people to stay overnight if they don`t have a place to go. Residents have been warned they could be out of their homes for 24 to 48 hours.
In the morning, RCMP said officers went door to door, advising residents within a 100-metre radius of 54 Lakeridge Cres. in Cole Harbour, of the order to evacuate as a "precautionary measure."
According to RCMP, the package was discovered at 9:20 p.m. Monday at the home and they were called shortly after. The evacuation order was issued Tuesday morning.
Late Tuesday afternoon, RCMP tweeted that the package was examined and determined it contained hazardous chemicals, but no explosives. The Hazmat team removed the package from the garage of the home.
---------------------------------------------
METH MATERIALS FOUND IN CORNELL UNIVERSITY PERFORMING ARTS BUILDING
Tags: us_NY, public, discovery, response, illegal, meth_lab
ITHACA -- Cornell Police responded Tuesday morning to a report of a suspicious backpack containing what appeared to be a quantity of household chemicals located in a common space within Risley Hall, 535 Thurston Avenue.
Inside the bag, police found "materials commonly associated with the illegal manufacture of methamphetamine, " police said in a prepared news release.
Cornell University Environmental Health & Safety and the New York State Police Contaminated Crime Scene Response Team determined the backpack and contents were consistent with chemicals used in the methamphetamine manufacturing process.
By 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, an individual came forward claiming responsibility for the chemicals and is currently being interviewed by investigators.
Police say the materials, including drain cleaner, fuel for lanterns or camping stoves, solvents such as ether and toluene, muriatic acid, table salt and common cold medications can cause chemical, fire and health hazards.
---------------------------------------------
SURAT CHEMICAL GODOWN CATCHES FIRE
Tags: India, industrial, explosion, response, gas_cylinders
A massive fire broke out at the Mahalaxmi Industrial Godown in the Pandesara area of Surat on Tuesday.
The chemical godown, which caught fire at around 10 am, had oil supplies used in textile looms and gas cylinders.
As per reports, the reason for the fire was a short circuit. Four cylinders in the godown also exploded due to the fire.
More than two dozen fire tenders rushed to the spot and were attempting to douse the flames.
Further details are awaited.
---------------------------------------------
FIRE ERUPTS AT FURNITURE PLANT
Tags: United_Arab_Emirates, industrial, fire, response, flammables
SHARJAH: A fire erupted at a furniture plant located in the industrial area No.4 of Sharjah on Tuesday morning.
The reason behind the fire, which gutted the entire contents of the factory, is unknown.
The products were reportedly flammable and that led to spreading the flames fast.
No casualties were reported.
The area was covered with a thick cloud of smoke that emanated from the fire.
Colonel Ali Arhama Al Owaise, Director of Operations Department at the Sharjah Civil Defence, oversaw the extinguishing operations.
Acting Director General of the Civil Defence in Sharjah, Colonel Khaled Kanoun Al Shamsi, said the operation room received a tip-off at 11:20am on Tuesday about a fire in a furniture factory.
Immediately, the firefighting squads were rushed from the centres of Samnan, the headquarters, Muwailah and Mina, in addition to water tankers from the Sharjah Municipality.
---------------------------------------------
CONTRACTOR CITED FOLLOWING MARION PLANT DEATH
Tags: us_IN, industrial, follow-up, death, metals
MARION, Ind. - The Indiana Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (IOSHA) has issued a safety order and $12,600 penalty following the July death of a Marion worker, Call 6 Investigator Kara Kenney reported.
The July 1 chemical explosion at a General Motors metal-stamping plant in Indiana killed contractor James L. Gibson, 48, and injured five other people, authorities said.
Records show the state conducted inspections July 2 through Dec. 17 at Quaker Chemical Corporation on West 2nd Street in Marion.
The order, obtained by Kenney Tuesday, shows the state cited Quaker Chemical Corporation for two ‰??Serious‰?? violations.
IOSHA said Quaker did not establish and maintain safe and healthful work conditions and that ‰??employees were exposed to a violent equipment over-pressurization from potential exothermic decomposition reactions due to the mixing of incompatible chemicals.‰??
---------------------------------------------
BLAST AT INDIAN CHEMICAL FACTORY KILLS 1, INJURES 4
Tags: India, industrial, explosion, death, pharmaceutical
- One person died and four others injured at a chemical factory in the western Indian state of Gujarat after a blast caused by a short circuit, police said on Tuesday.
The blast occurred on Monday at chemical maker Survival Technologies' factory located in an industrial park in the city of Ankleshwar, Paresh Hasoti, assistant sub inspector of Gujarat Industrial Development Corportation (GIDC) said.
A short circuit in the weighing scale that was being used to measure chemicals caused the accident, Hasoti said, adding that the worker died of burn injuries. He said there had been no major chemical leak.
The company, according to its website, makes speciality chemicals for industries such as pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, petrochemicals and electronics.
---------------------------------------------
WATER TESTS AFTER OIL SPILL IN GLENDIVE REVEAL TOXIC CHEMICAL
Tags: us_MT, transportation, release, response, benzene, petroleum
The first water tests in Glendive, Mont., shows high levels of a toxic chemical after an oil spill on Saturday. According to the city website, Benzene, which is a main component of crude oil, has been found in the water tested last night.
The Dawson County Health Department is advising people not to drink or cook with municipal water.
The city is trucking in clean water and there is 48 hours of water in reserve.
Bridger Pipeline says one of its lines leaked oil for an hour before the leak was found and the line was shut in. The company estimates that up to 12,000 barrels or more than 50,000 gallons leaked.
---------------------------------------------
TYSON TO PAY $539,000 FOR MISSOURI CHEMICAL SPILL
Tags: us_MO, public, follow-up, environmental, water_treatment
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. ‰?? Tyson Foods Inc. will pay more than $530,000 for a chemical spill that killed more than 100,000 fish and caused a southwest Missouri town's wastewater treatment system to fail, Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced Tuesday.
Koster sued the company last June after the discharge caused Monett's wastewater system to fail and contaminated nearby Clear Creek in Barry County.
The discharge containing Alimet, a highly acidic animal-feed supplement, was discharged from Tyson's Aurora facility, eventually flowing through Monett's system and into the creek. The compound killed the bacteria that process wastewater effluent in Monett's plant, causing almost undiluted ammonia to flow into the creek.
"Tyson's actions threatened the vitality of Clear Creek," Koster said in a statement. "While Tyson has taken steps to prevent similar environmental damage to the creek in the future, the penalties contained in this agreement hold the company accountable for the damage that occurred."
Tyson officials said in a statement that the Arkansas-based company "deeply" regrets the spill and has worked hard with state and other authorities to solve any problems.
---------------------------------------------
MENIFEE: TRAFFIC ACCIDENT CAUSES ACID SPILL, HAZMAT CLEANUP (UPDATE)
Tags: us_CA, transportation, release, injury, hydrochloric_acid
A traffic accident triggered an acid spill in Murrieta, where a hazardous materials crew was summoned to help contain the toxic mess, say Riverside County Fire Department officials.
A passenger vehicle and pool maintenace truck collided about 4:45 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at Briggs and Holland roads, about 2 miles east of I-215.
Two people were hospitalized with what were described as moderate injuries.
The impact also spilled muriatic acid, officials said in a written statement.
The crews of two fire engines and a ladder truck were dispatched, followed by the hazardous materials unit.
---------------------------------------------
WKOW 27 LOCAL NEWS: UPDATE: CUBA CITY PD: CHEMICAL MIXTURE CONSISTENT WITH CRUDE EXPLOSIVES
Tags: us_WI, public, discovery, injury, unknown_chemical, bomb, explosives
UPDATE (WKOW) -- Authorities in Cuba City say the presence of chemical mixtures consistent with crude explosives used to blow up mailboxes led to the closure of a gas station Sunday.
Cuba City Police Commander Eric Lyons tells 27 News, emergency responders did treat a 17-year-old boy after he inhaled chemicals and discovered his family's truck was at the Kwik Trip station. Lyons says the two plastic containers with the mixtures were found in the bed of a pick-up in the gas station's parking lot.
The Dane County bomb squad was called in and neutralized the chemical mixtures.
*****
UPDATE (WKOW) -- Early Sunday evening, the Cuba City Police Department says a vehicle parked at the Kwik Trip sparked an investigation.
Officers found two plastic bottles located in the bed of the pick-up truck with an unknown chemical mixture inside. It was determined the fire department and hazmat team were called, as well as the Dane County Sheriff's Department bomb squad. Officers removed all subjects from the store and secured the area as a precaution.
The mixture inside the bottles was believed to be a mixture of common household chemicals, and deemed safe. The bottles were removed and the contents disposed of. Once the items were taken care of, the scene was rendered safe and the store reopened. No damage or any on-scene injuries occurred.
The investigation is ongoing. Assisting in the resolution of the situation were: the Lafayette and Grant County Sheriff's Departments, Dane County Sheriff's Office, Cuba City Fire Department and Rescue Squad, Darlington Fire Department, Jo Daviess County (IL) hazmat team, Grant County Emergency Management, and Kwik Trip.
---------------------------------------------
AGL UNABLE TO MONITOR CSG FRACKING CHEMICAL IN GLOUCESTER PROJECT
Tags: Australia, public, discovery, environmental, toxics
The Baird government has been accused by Labor of trashing environmental safeguards by granting AGL permission to frack coal seam gas wells even before the company's monitoring for pollutants had been approved.
AGL began hydraulic fracturing of four CSG wells at its pilot Waukivory project near Gloucester in late October. According its licence, the company must sample and analyse the concentration of certain pollutants.
One of those pollutants is a biocide used to kill bacteria in the well, hydroxymethylnasulfate, also known as THPS or by its brand name Tolcide.
In its December report, AGL said samples had been collected "in anticipation of the approved method" to analyse for Tolcide and concentration levels were not available.
"This exposes as a lie claims by AGL and the NSW Government that the coal seam gas industry is highly and competently regulated," said John Watts from Groundswell Gloucester. "It seems that no testing for Tolcide was done during and after the fracking to measure whether this toxic chemical might have been escaping into the groundwater, creeks and rivers."
---------------------------------------------
GUELPH CHEMICAL PLANT EVACUATED
Tags: Canada, industrial, release, response, corrosives, paints
A chemical plant in Guelph had to be evacuated Sunday morning.
The Guelph fire department was called to AOC Resins & Coatings on Royal Road just after 8 a.m.
The fire department says when they arrived they found steam coming from an 80,000 kilo vat containing phthalic anhydride, a chemical used to make resins.
The fire department said they contacted chemical experts who said the chemical wasn‰??t explosive, but shouldn‰??t be inhaled and it can be corrosive.
The heating system on the vat was shut down, and the tank was cooled from the outside with water.
No one was hurt.
---------------------------------------------
TWO DIE IN CHEMICAL FACTORY BLAST IN SATARA
Tags: India, industrial, explosion, death, ethanol
SATARA: Two persons died in Talbid village in Karad after an ethanol container blew up in a chemical factory around 6.30pm when an electricity wire came in contact with the container.
The wire was damaged due to short circuit just before the blast, Karad police station officials said.
....
The victims were at the factory for cleanliness and maintenance works.
A member of the Kumbhar family runs the factory. According to the police, they will visit the spot again for a detailed investigation.
---------------------------------------------
SCHUMER: OUTLAW HOMEMADE EXPLOSIVES
Tags: us_NY, public, discovery, response, bomb, explosives, illegal
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer says he is introducing legislation to make it illegal to build homemade bombs.
The New York Democrat said Sunday that current federal rules could potentially allow someone to make homemade explosives without breaking the law. He says that the Boston Marathon bombing and the publication by terrorist groups of recipes for homemade bombs show the need to criminalize the activity.
The senator says the legal loophole hinders law-enforcement efforts to stop acts of terror and violence. His legislation would outlaw bomb making, though exceptions would be made for businesses with a license to create explosives for legitimate uses.
---------------------------------------------
Ralph Stuart
secretary**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org
Secretary
Division of Chemical Health and Safety
American Chemical Society
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