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Chemical Safety Headlines From Google
Friday, May 20, 2016 at 6:41:53 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=DQIFaQ&c=lb62iw4YL4RFalcE2hQUQealT9-RXrryqt9KZX2qu2s&r=meWM1Buqv4IQ27AlK1OJRjcQl09S1Zta6YXKalY_Io0&m=vI0hLyN-WCvVveHSaFuZxrp7ko6erJq3aVsqxENPyF8&s=MtTzQdgswq1uOBU3hfByVmjobya6oQM8h072W6z6q-8&e=
Table of Contents (13 articles)
EPA SUGGESTS TIGHTER LIMITS FOR INDUSTRIAL CHEMICAL IN WATER
Tags: industrial, discovery, environmental, other_chemical
CONTAINER OF CHEMICALS DROPPED BY DRIVER, SPILLS ON INTERSTATE-29 NEAR GRAND FORKS
Tags: us_ND, transportation, release, response, ag_chems
CHEMICAL PLANT SAFETY PLAN DEEMED INSUFFICIENT
Tags: industrial, follow-up, environmental
AG RETAILERS GROUP SUING OSHA OVER EXEMPTION REMOVAL
Tags: us_TX, industrial, follow-up, response, ammonia
NO INJURIES AFTER EXPLOSION IN VALATIE
Tags: us_NY, public, explosion, response, unknown_chemical
IDAHO NUCLEAR-PLANT CONTRACTOR FINED FOR 2015 ELECTRICAL EXPLOSION
Tags: us_ID, laboratory, follow-up, response
BIG RIG CARRYING HYDROCHLORIC ACID LEAKING AFTER CRASH ON INTERSTATE 5 NEAR FORT TEJON
Tags: us_TX, transportation, release, response, hydrochloric_acid
CHEMICAL SPILL REPORTED IN LAKEWOOD
Tags: us_NJ, industrial, release, response, unknown_chemical
TEACHER, STUDENTS EXPOSED TO NITROUS DIOXIDE DURING SCIENCE EXPERIMENT
Tags: us_VT, laboratory, release, injury, nitrogen_dioxide
BUSINESS REOPENS AFTER TRUCK CARRYING POOL CHEMICALS CRASHES INTO SIDE OF BUILDING
Tags: us_FL, transportation, release, response, pool_chemicals
EFFORT TARGETS EMERGENCY RESPONSE AFTER TEXAS FERTILIZER PLANT DISASTER
Tags: us_TX, public, follow-up, environmental, ag_chems, explosives
25 PEOPLE INJURED IN CHEMICAL SPILL
Tags: South_Africa, industrial, release, injury, formaldehyde
HAZMAT TEAM, FIREFIGHTERS RESPOND TO WILMINGTON SCRAPYARD FIRE
Tags: us_DE, industrial, fire, response, antifreeze, waste
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EPA SUGGESTS TIGHTER LIMITS FOR INDUSTRIAL CHEMICAL IN WATER
Tags: industrial, discovery, environmental, other_chemical
Federal regulators announced tighter guidelines Thursday for human exposure to an industrial chemical used for decades in such consumer products as non-stick pans, stain-resistant carpets and microwave popcorn bags.
The cancer-causing chemical perfluorooctanoic acid, known as PFOA, has been found in the tap water of dozens of factory towns near industrial sites where it was manufactured. DuPont, 3M and other U.S. chemical companies voluntarily phased out the use of PFOA in recent years.
Also at issue is the related chemical perfluorooctane sulfonate, or PFOS, used in firefighting foam.
The Environmental Protection Agency issued the stricter guidelines for the chemicals after years of pressure from public health experts and advocacy groups. The agency said the new limits were prompted by recent scientific studies linking PFOA and PFOS to testicular and kidney cancers, as well as birth defects and liver damage.
"EPA will continue sharing the latest science and information so that state and local officials can make informed decisions and take actions to protect public health," said Joel Beauvais, the EPA's deputy assistant administrator for the Office of Water. "This is an important part of our broader effort to support states and public water systems as we work together to strengthen the safety of America's drinking water."
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CONTAINER OF CHEMICALS DROPPED BY DRIVER, SPILLS ON INTERSTATE-29 NEAR GRAND FORKS
Tags: us_ND, transportation, release, response, ag_chems
A leaking chemical container was found to pose little hazard after it was found Wednesday morning in the southbound lanes of Interstate 29 just north of Gateway Drive in Grand Forks.
The 250-gallon tote was reported to the North Dakota Highway Patrol around 10:30 a.m. after likely falling from a vehicle. Patrol officers arrived and found the container's cover dislodged and some contents spilled.
An assessment by the Grand Forks Fire Department determined the contents were agricultural chemicals, according to a news release. The department coordinated a cleanup, which closed the southbound entrance ramp of I-29 at Gateway Drive until completed.
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CHEMICAL PLANT SAFETY PLAN DEEMED INSUFFICIENT
Tags: industrial, follow-up, environmental
Christine Todd Whitman, who ran the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under former President George W Bush, is warning that the plan the agency unveiled in February to improve the safety and security of US chemical facilities is inadequate. In a letter sent to the current EPA chief Gina McCarthy, Whitman urged the agency to "strengthen" the rule, particularly by requiring numerous high-risk chemical facilities to transition to so-called inherently safer technologies (IST). These technologies involve modification of plants" chemical processes to reduce or eliminate hazards, rather than simply control them.
Whitman, who currently runs the energy and environmental consultancy Whitman Strategy Group, suggested that such a shift to IST is needed to reduce the public health and safety threat posed by the accidental or deliberate release of hazardous substances from chemical plants. She also called on the EPA to broaden IST analyses to more high-risk facilities, such as water treatment plants and all chlorine plants. In addition, Whitman argued that all of these analyses should be submitted to the EPA, and completed much sooner than the four years required in the agency"s proposed rule.
Furthermore, Whitman also advised the EPA to create a publicly accessible source that contains detailed information about safer chemical processes and substances, including details about the implementation, cost, efficacy and feasibility of such alternatives.
Coincidentally, Whitman"s letter arrived the same day as investigators from the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced that the fatal explosion in the West Fertilizer plant in Texas was an intentional crime, and not an accident as was originally believed.
---------------------------------------------
AG RETAILERS GROUP SUING OSHA OVER EXEMPTION REMOVAL
Tags: us_TX, industrial, follow-up, response, ammonia
The Agriculture Retailers Association is challenging OSHA in federal court for its plan to do away with the agriculture retailer exemption from a safety management standard that deals with handling of dangerous chemicals. ARA"s Public Policy Counsel Kyle Liske says his group doesn"t feel OSHA followed proper administrative procedures when they did away with the exemption effecting anhydrous ammonia.
He says ARA wants OSHA to go through a rule making process before they"re rescind the exemption.
Liske says OSHA has pointed to a Texas chemical plant explosion three years ago for their reason for getting rid of the ag retailers exemption. He says anhydrous wasn"t even the main culprit in that Texas incident.
Liske says his group"s attorneys along with OSHA"s have already filed briefs in the case and are awaiting a Judge"s decision. He says both sides chose to forego making oral arguments.
---------------------------------------------
NO INJURIES AFTER EXPLOSION IN VALATIE
Tags: us_NY, public, explosion, response, unknown_chemical
VALATIE- The Columbia County Hazardous Materials Team rushed to the scene of an explosion on Upper Main Street in the village of Valatie on Wednesday night.
Five fire companies and the Valatie Rescue Squad responded just after 7 p.m. to an unknown, non-fire explosion and a chemical odor at 3087 Upper Main Street, according to Columbia County 911.
A reporter at the scene said the street was blocked off Wednesday night and no one was injured.
The Columbia County Fire Coordinator's Office and the Columbia County Cause and Origin Team were also requested to the scene, with state police investigating the explosion with the aid of the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, according to Columbia County 911.
---------------------------------------------
IDAHO NUCLEAR-PLANT CONTRACTOR FINED FOR 2015 ELECTRICAL EXPLOSION
Tags: us_ID, laboratory, follow-up, response
IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO
The federal government has fined a contractor for an Idaho nuclear plant after an electrical explosion there last year.
Battelle Energy Alliance will pay $60,000 and complete a number of safety assessments following the April 23, 2015 incident, reported The Post Register (https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__bit.ly_1ssy8Xw&d=DQIFaQ&c=lb62iw4YL4RFalcE2hQUQealT9-RXrryqt9KZX2qu2s&r=meWM1Buqv4IQ27AlK1OJRjcQl09S1Zta6YXKalY_Io0&m=vI0hLyN-WCvVveHSaFuZxrp7ko6erJq3aVsqxENPyF8&s=1U7JnC_CVOz285hNW19a30lq3-SCVTmfOnPwAYcVbxY&e= ">https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__bit.ly_1ssy8Xw&d=DQIFaQ&c=lb62iw4YL4RFalcE2hQUQealT9-RXrryqt9KZX2qu2s&r=meWM1Buqv4IQ27AlK1OJRjcQl09S1Zta6YXKalY_Io0&m=vI0hLyN-WCvVveHSaFuZxrp7ko6erJq3aVsqxENPyF8&s=1U7JnC_CVOz285hNW19a30lq3-SCVTmfOnPwAYcVbxY&e= ).
Three Battelle workers were performing regular maintenance on a circuit breaker at the Idaho National Laboratory when they triggered a type of explosion called an arc flash, according to U.S. Department of Energy documents. It knocked the workers to the ground, but they were uninjured, the documents said.
In a letter addressed to lab Director Mark Peters, the Department of Energy said the explosion could have been prevented.
The event "revealed deficiencies in BEA's hazard identification and assessment procedure, electrical safety program, protective equipment selection process, hazard prevention and abatement procedure, and safety training program," the letter said.
Power workers have made changes to improve safety, said Ed Anderson, the Idaho National Laboratory's chief operating officer for facilities and site services. He said they have compared training at the lab to other commercial utility workers and electric employees at other national labs.
---------------------------------------------
BIG RIG CARRYING HYDROCHLORIC ACID LEAKING AFTER CRASH ON INTERSTATE 5 NEAR FORT TEJON
Tags: us_TX, transportation, release, response, hydrochloric_acid
A big rig carrying hydrochloric acid is leaking after a crash near the Fort Tejon exit off Interstate 5.
At about 4 p.m., Kern County hazmat teams were sent to the area along Interstate 5 after the big rig crashed.
No evacuations have been ordered.
---------------------------------------------
CHEMICAL SPILL REPORTED IN LAKEWOOD
Tags: us_NJ, industrial, release, response, unknown_chemical
LAKEWOOD - Authorities responded to a chemical spill at Church & Dwight Company on Airport Road.
Township police Sgt. Michael Young said they got the call about 3:40 p.m. There were no reported injuries.
Sgt. Erik Miick said about 200 employees were present at the facility, they were sent home. He couldn't say what chemical was involved, but described a cloud or plume that formed after the spill.
A hazmat team from Berkeley responded to the scene, along with Lakewood EMS and firefighters.
---------------------------------------------
TEACHER, STUDENTS EXPOSED TO NITROUS DIOXIDE DURING SCIENCE EXPERIMENT
Tags: us_VT, laboratory, release, injury, nitrogen_dioxide
BENNINGTON, Vt. (NEWS10) " Bennington Police say three people, two students and an instructor, were exposed to Nitrous dioxide during a science experiment at the Grace Christian School.
All three individuals were transported to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center for treatment.
Police say the Bennington Fire Department set up a decontamination area while rescue squad personnel worked with people exposed to the chemical. The Bennington Rural Fire Department assisted with the ventilation of the building.
All students and personnel were evacuated from the building and moved to a safe location during the incident.
---------------------------------------------
BUSINESS REOPENS AFTER TRUCK CARRYING POOL CHEMICALS CRASHES INTO SIDE OF BUILDING
Tags: us_FL, transportation, release, response, pool_chemicals
MAITLAND, Fla. "
A pickup truck carrying pool cleaning supplies crashed into a building in Maitland Tuesday, causing a chemical spill, according to authorities.
The crash happened on State Road 17-92 and Spartan Drive at the The Sewing Studio Fabric Superstore, the Florida Highway Patrol said.
The driver, Joseph Batsch, 28, of Winter Springs, told Channel 9 that another car cut him off while driving in the north lanes.
Pat Sauer, the owner of the superstore, said she was in total disbelief when she was told a truck crashed into her business.
"We've been here many, many years. I've never seen anything like this or had anything like this happen," Sauer said.
---------------------------------------------
EFFORT TARGETS EMERGENCY RESPONSE AFTER TEXAS FERTILIZER PLANT DISASTER
Tags: us_TX, public, follow-up, environmental, ag_chems, explosives
A planned federal regulation for emergency responder preparedness should require emergency service organizations to actively engage with local communities about chemical and other hazards to assess their vulnerabilities to and determine if they can and will respond to incidents such as the West, Texas fertilizer explosion, according to subcommittee members charged with drafting the proposal.
The April 2013 blast at West Fertilizer Co. killed 15 people, including 12 emergency responders, injured dozens and leveled large portions of the town, resulting in losses of $230 million. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced last week that the fire that led to the explosion was intentionally set and constitutes a criminal act.
In response to the disaster, a National Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health subcommittee is drafting an emergency responder preparedness regulation for OSHA to consider. The current proposal would require emergency services organizations to conduct a community vulnerability and risk assessment, including a written assessment of the hazards in its service area and coordinated planning with the whole community to respond to large-scale incidents.
---------------------------------------------
25 PEOPLE INJURED IN CHEMICAL SPILL
Tags: South_Africa, industrial, release, injury, formaldehyde
Toxic fumes from a chemical spill at a company in Steel Street in Polokwane" Limpopo" on Tuesday saw 25 people requiring treatment.
ER24 paramedics" along with provincial services" arrived on the scene at 8.30am after receiving reports of a number of patients experiencing breathing difficulties.
The building had been evacuated.
ER24 said in a statement that 25 people had inhaled the toxic fumes from the chemical spill. The patients were treated for their injuries and transported to a nearby hospital for further treatment.
"It is understood that a container of Formaldehyde had apparently leaked during the evening" causing the incident.
"Hazardous Material Teams as well as fire services were on scene to contain the incident as well as for further investigations."
---------------------------------------------
HAZMAT TEAM, FIREFIGHTERS RESPOND TO WILMINGTON SCRAPYARD FIRE
Tags: us_DE, industrial, fire, response, antifreeze, waste
Fire and hazardous materials units were called to the scene of a vehicle fire and antifreeze leak at the A-1 Parts and Sales scrapyard Tuesday afternoon in Wilmington, according to a city fire department spokesperson.
City firefighters from B-Platoon were called to 410 Garacshes Lane at 1:46 p.m. as a large plume of black smoke rose over the city's south side.
The firefighters arrived to find a forklift and a car being prepared for scrap engulfed in flames, according to a press release from spokesman James R. Jobes.
The flames impinged on a nearby building, causing the roof to ignite, he said.
The fire was quickly knocked down, and the building sustained minimal damage, he said. A small portion of the roof was cut away to ensure the fire did not spread.
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