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Chemical Safety Headlines From Google
Monday, January 25, 2016 at 7:36:05 AM
A membership benefit of the ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety
All article summaries and tags are archived at https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__pinboard.in_u-3Adchas&d=BQIFaQ&c=lb62iw4YL4RFalcE2hQUQealT9-RXrryqt9KZX2qu2s&r=meWM1Buqv4IQ27AlK1OJRjcQl09S1Zta6YXKalY_Io0&m=U-QCpSY1tBH5pIuzw9KFOa6eQYGNZ9N2iXbZ-NsIbM0&s=usCYM3pxZe6VaomXE28nvyJWdBj2z__PphUpdC1F3nI&e=
Table of Contents (14 articles)
AN INTENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR EFFECTIVE TEACHING ASSISTANTS IN CHEMISTRY
Tags: us_IL, laboratory, discovery, environmental
5 KILLED IN FACTORY FIRE IN BANGLADESH
Tags: Bangladesh, industrial, explosion, death, unknown_chemical
4000 GALLONS OF CHEMICAL SPILLS AT PROSPECT WATER TREATMENT PLANT
Tags: us_NY, industrial, release, response, other_chemical, water_treatment
BRIEF: HAZMAT INCIDENT LEADS TO WAREHOUSE EVACUATION IN OJO CALIENTE
Tags: us_NM, industrial, release, response, hydrochloric_acid
ESTIMATING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA"S GREAT METHANE LEAK
Tags: us_CA, public, release, environmental, methane, natural_gas
BARRIERS TO POLLUTION PREVENTION
Tags: industrial, discovery, environmental, cleaners, toxics, waste
U OF M BUILDING REOPENED AFTER CHEMICAL SPILL
Tags: us_MN, laboratory, release, response, unknown_chemical
NAMPA EXPLOSION RAISES MARIJUANA 'WAX' CONCERNS
Tags: us_ID, public, explosion, response, butane, drugs
SPILL IN UW CHEMISTRY BUILDING CAUSES HAZMAT RESPONSE
Tags: us_WA, laboratory, release, response, unknown_chemical
POLICE: HAZMAT SITUATION LEADS TO EVACUATION IN OJO CALIENTE " ABQJOURNAL ONLINE
Tags: us_NM, industrial, release, injury, flammables
BRAMPTON FIREFIGHTERS DON HAZMAT SUITS TO CAP "SMALL" AMMONIA LEAK
Tags: Canada, industrial, release, response, ammonia
TARKINGTON STUDENTS WARNED OF DANGERS OF METH
Tags: us_TX, public, discovery, environmental, cleaners, meth_lab
JET FUEL LEAK PROMPTS EVACUATION OF CHESAPEAKE NEIGHBORHOOD
Tags: us_VA, transportation, release, response, jet_fuel
WORKING SAFETY IN YOUR BIOSAFETY CABINETS: DEALING WITH SPILLS
Tags: laboratory, release, response
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AN INTENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR EFFECTIVE TEACHING ASSISTANTS IN CHEMISTRY
Tags: us_IL, laboratory, discovery, environmental
We report an intensive graduate teaching assistant (GTA) training program developed at The University of Chicago. The program has been assessed and has been successful in preparing GTAs for effective discussion and laboratory teaching for both general and organic chemistry. We believe that this training program can provide insightful information to benefit other similar GTA training programs in the future.
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5 KILLED IN FACTORY FIRE IN BANGLADESH
Tags: Bangladesh, industrial, explosion, death, unknown_chemical
At least five persons were killed and 10 others injured after a fire broke out at a chemical factory near the Bangladeshi capital, officials said today.
"We have recovered five bodies from the scene. One of victims was a woman passerby, who was school teacher," said Hasibur Rahmana, fire service station officer.
"Two bodies were burnt beyond recognition," he said.
The fire was caused by a boiler explosion yesterday in the factory located in Pubail of Gazipur near the capital.
Local ward councillor Bazlur Rahman said the factory melt old tires to manufacture a special kind of oil used along with pitch for carpetting roads.
"Authorities had in the past asked the factory management several times to shut it down because of the risky process of burning and melting tires. But the management paid little heed," Bazlur said.
Around 30 people were working in the factory at the time of the explosion. Many workers came running out.
TV channels said two injured were being treated at a nearby government hospital while three others were rushed to a specialised burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
The police said owner of the factory went into hiding but a manhunt has been launched to find him.
Gazipur Deputy Commissioner S M Alam said a three member- probe committee has been formed to probe the incident. The committee has been asked to submit its report in three days.
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4000 GALLONS OF CHEMICAL SPILLS AT PROSPECT WATER TREATMENT PLANT
Tags: us_NY, industrial, release, response, other_chemical, water_treatment
PROSPECT, NY - Oneida County Hazmat crews reported to the Mohawk Valley Water Treatment Plant in Prospect this afternoon at about 3:15 for a chemical spill.
Officials say about 4,000 gallons of hydrofluorosilicic acid leaked from the holding tanks onto the floor of the building, but was contained to that specific area.
We spoke to Oneida County Director of Emergency Services, Kevin Revere, who has been on site this entire evening, who says the chemical did not go into the water, and the spill has been contained.
Officials also say in low doses the chemical is not dangerous, and that it's actually used in the water to help protect teeth enamel.
They do, however, say in concentrated levels, it can be hazardous, but all EPA and Health Department regulations are followed.
"We evacuated the building based on recommendations of HazMat. They're on scene now and are directing operations. The treatment plant is functioning as it should be so there are no issues from a treatment standpoint. It's an unfortunate incident, but we're taking all appropriate measures. There is no danger to the public from the drinking water side or within the surrounding area of the treatment facility," said Phillip Tangorra the Director of Water Quality for MVWA.
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BRIEF: HAZMAT INCIDENT LEADS TO WAREHOUSE EVACUATION IN OJO CALIENTE
Tags: us_NM, industrial, release, response, hydrochloric_acid
Authorities evacuated the area around a warehouse in Ojo Caliente after a gas leak Friday evening, but police said Saturday that the area along U.S. 285, from mileposts 346 to 353, was found to be safe.
An investigation found hydrochloric gas emitting from the warehouse, says a news release sent by New Mexico State Police Sgt. Elizabeth Armijo.
A hazmat team cleared the building, and meter readings later determined the area was safe, the release says.
Two people who complained of exposure to the gas were treated, according to the release, but no major exposure problems or injuries were reported.
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ESTIMATING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA"S GREAT METHANE LEAK
Tags: us_CA, public, release, environmental, methane, natural_gas
Over the past three months, more than 87,000 metric tons of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, have spewed into the atmosphere from a catastrophic leak in a failed natural gas well in Southern California. Southern California Gas Company, the well"s owner, announced Jan. 18 that it hopes to stop emissions from the Aliso Canyon Storage Facility in northern Los Angeles by late February.
ERUPTION
This infrared video shows methane leaking into the atmosphere from the Aliso Canyon well in Southern California.
Credit: Environmental Defense Fund
But the leak, one of the largest of its kind in U.S. history, will have a lasting environmental impact on local, state, and perhaps federal levels.
More than 2,500 households in the Porter Ranch neighborhood near the facility have been forced to relocate because of noxious odors from pollutants such as mercaptan, which is added to odorless natural gas for safety purposes. Some recent reports have also suggested that SoCalGas may have underestimated the amount of benzene, a carcinogen, which has been released during the leak. Timothy O"Connor, director of the Environmental Defense Fund"s (EDF) oil and gas program in California, says it may be difficult to know how much benzene exposure has occurred because of a variable emissions rate and a lack of extensive testing when the leak first started.
On Jan. 6, California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) declared a state of emergency and ordered increased regulations and inspections on gas facilities in the state. The leak could thwart California"s ambitious goals to cut greenhouse emissions statewide.
In addition to footing the bill for relocating people and addressing the leak, SoCalGas faces lawsuits from the city and local residents claiming that the company failed to properly maintain its facility.
Starting in mid-November, SoCalGas tried to plug the well but failed. So the gas company began drilling a relief well on Dec. 4, expecting to reach its target, 2,600 meters below the surface, in February. The company also proposed to divert and incinerate some of the methane, but that plan has been scuttled because of concerns about potential explosions.
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BARRIERS TO POLLUTION PREVENTION
Tags: industrial, discovery, environmental, cleaners, toxics, waste
Many industrial facilities aren"t acting to prevent the release of toxic chemicals because they aren"t aware of less hazardous alternatives, according to new data released by the Environmental Protection Agency.
This could mean opportunities for researchers developing greener chemicals or cleaner technologies, says Caitlin Briere, who works on EPA"s Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) program.
It could also indicate that the operators of a facility simply don"t know about commercially available and economically viable substitute chemicals or less-polluting technology, adds Steve Witkin of the TRI program. This could signal an opportunity for those making or selling greener chemicals or technologies to "educate" industrial decision-makers about the availability of those alternatives, he says.
EPA asked industrial facilities about the barriers that hinder them from adopting pollution prevention practices as part of the TRI data collected for 2014. Under federal law, facilities in the U.S. that release any of hundreds of toxic chemicals must report on air emissions, water discharges, recycling, and disposal of those substances each year. EPA collates those data and then releases them to the public.
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U OF M BUILDING REOPENED AFTER CHEMICAL SPILL
Tags: us_MN, laboratory, release, response, unknown_chemical
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) " A building on the University of Minnesota campus that was closed due to a chemical spill has reopened.
Just before 8 a.m. Friday, the University of Minnesota said a chemical spill at Smith Hall prompted the closure of the building.
In the alert posted to Twitter Friday morning, the university said the building is closed until further notice.
Roughly 45 minutes later, the university tweeted that the building had reopened.
The Minneapolis Fire Department is on the scene investigating.
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NAMPA EXPLOSION RAISES MARIJUANA 'WAX' CONCERNS
Tags: us_ID, public, explosion, response, butane, drugs
BOISE -- An explosion at a Nampa trailer home earlier this week is raising questions about a form of marijuana called "wax."
Nampa Fire Investigators say two people were making the product when butane gas vapors ignited.
"This is a way to produce marijuana to make it even stronger which produces even a bigger high," said Rob Stevenson, executive director of Drug Free Idaho. Drug experts say marijuana wax is highly potent, and very dangerous to make.
The substance is highly concentrated and has a strong effect when the vapor is inhaled.
"This stuff gets up to 95 percent concentrate THC so it's 95 percent versus that 12 percent that we see on the streets," he added.
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SPILL IN UW CHEMISTRY BUILDING CAUSES HAZMAT RESPONSE
Tags: us_WA, laboratory, release, response, unknown_chemical
SEATTLE " A Seattle Fire Department hazmat team is responding after a chemical spill occurred in the University of Washington chemistry building.
UW police found the spill on the fourth floor of the building. That floor has been evacuated.
The hazmat team is preparining to make entry into
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POLICE: HAZMAT SITUATION LEADS TO EVACUATION IN OJO CALIENTE " ABQJOURNAL ONLINE
Tags: us_NM, industrial, release, injury, flammables
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. " Police evacuated everyone within a mile of a warehouse in Ojo Caliente due to a hazmat situation Friday evening, according to a spokeswoman for the New Mexico State Police.
Officers were called to the warehouse, near milepost 348 on US 285, because it was emitting smoke, said Sgt. Elizabeth Armijo. Milepost 346 to milepost 353, was closed while officers dealt with the situation.
"The local fire department and Rio Arriba Sheriff"s Office deputies were initial agencies on scene and determined gas emitting from the warehouse may be highly flammable," she said.
Two individuals said they may have been exposed to the gas and were treated on the scene, Armijo said. No major injuries were reported.
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BRAMPTON FIREFIGHTERS DON HAZMAT SUITS TO CAP "SMALL" AMMONIA LEAK
Tags: Canada, industrial, release, response, ammonia
Brampton firefighters donned HazMat suits to enter a local food manufacturing plant and stop an anhydrous ammonia leak Wednesday night.
There were no injuries to workers at Olymel Galco Food Products on Orenda Road, or to firefighters who responded to the report of a leak around 9 p.m.
A strong smell of ammonia alerted workers to the leak. A Hazmat team consisting of three fire trucks, three pumper trucks and a district chief responded.
The leak was traced to the roof of the building and was determined to be small.
There were approximately 200 employees on site, but contrary to initial reports, a full evacuation was not needed, according to Brampton fire officials.
Instead, employees were directed to the back of the plant and followed their "protection in place" safety procedures, according to Brampton fire.
The site was ruled safe after firefighters dealt with the leak.
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TARKINGTON STUDENTS WARNED OF DANGERS OF METH
Tags: us_TX, public, discovery, environmental, cleaners, meth_lab
Fifth-graders at Tarkington Intermediate were treated to an eye-opening program on the dangers of methamphetamines on Tuesday, Jan. 19. Members of the Cleveland Rotary Club hosted the "Don"t Meth with Me" program, which is designed to inform students about the dangers of drugs and the consequences of bad choices.
The youngsters gasped in horror at many of the images shown to them throughout the program, which were included to help illustrate both the physical and emotional toll of methamphetamines on the lives of the individuals who use them.
Rotarian Jennifer Bergman led the students in a catchphrase, "I am the future. Don"t meth with me," which the students yelled in unison during the program.
After Bergman explained the many roles of the Cleveland Rotary Club within the local community, fellow Rotarian Scott Lambert explained methamphetamine to the students.
With the help of an individual in a Hazmat suit, Lambert informed students of the dangerous ingredients that can be found in the drug, including toilet cleaner, lye and fertilizer.
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JET FUEL LEAK PROMPTS EVACUATION OF CHESAPEAKE NEIGHBORHOOD
Tags: us_VA, transportation, release, response, jet_fuel
CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) " A jet fuel leak in the 500 block of Hill Street is now contained, according to fire officials.
The call came in just before 7 a.m. about a tank leaking JP5, which is jet fuel. The scene is at the Kinder Morgan Terminals. According to Capt. Scott Saunders the tank is leaking from the top but did not leak much. As a precaution, he said they evacuated the neighborhood, which is approximately 70 homes. The evacuation was lifted at 11:45 a.m.
Residents who didn"t have a place to go received shelter at the South Norfolk Recreation Center on Godwin Avenue.
There are no injuries reported, although one person who is bedridden had to be removed from the home by ambulance.
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WORKING SAFETY IN YOUR BIOSAFETY CABINETS: DEALING WITH SPILLS
Tags: laboratory, release, response
Video from Esco, a biosafety cabinet manufacturer on dealing with spills in a BSC
When handling biological hazards, it is important to ensure safe working practices. However, even in your most careful moments, a biological spill can occur. What should you do?
A biological or infectious spill shall be promptly contained and cleaned up. It is important that you always keep calm when a spill has occurred.
Remember that biological spills shall only be dealt by a properly trained staff with appropriate equipment.
Here is a video on how to deal safely with biological spills.
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