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From: DCHAS Secretary <secretary**At_Symbol_Here**DCHAS.ORG>
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Chemical Safety headlines from Google (19 articles)
Date: Wed, 24 May 2017 07:41:43 -0400
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Message-ID: C54CCF4E-C2A0-4FB4-9EFE-39B8BCD80A2A**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org
Chemical Safety Headlines From Google
Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at 7:41:27 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 (19 articles)
NORTHBOUND TURNPIKE LANES REOPEN AFTER DAYLONG CRASH, HAZMAT CLOSURE
Tags: us_WV, transportation, release, injury, batteries, sulfuric_acid
TOO FAST, TOO SOON: HOW CHINA'S GROWTH LED TO THE TIANJIN DISASTER
Tags: China, industrial, follow-up, environmental, other_chemical
AMMONIA LEAK CONTAINED
Tags: us_IA, industrial, release, response, ammonia
MASSIVE FIRE IN ATWATER MAY CAUSE LONG TERM PROBLEMS FOR CITY
Tags: us_CA, public, fire, response, asphalt, gasoline
2 LEAKAGES FOUND IN ETP PIPELINE
Tags: us_ND, transportation, release, response, oils
UNKNOWN IRRITANT SICKENS STUDENTS, STAFF AT MICHIGAN SCHOOL
Tags: us_MI, education, release, injury, irritant
STATEMENT FROM CSB CHAIRPERSON VANESSA ALLEN SUTHERLAND ON CSB FY 2018 BUDGET REQUEST
Tags: public, discovery, environmental
CHEMICAL ISSUE CAUSES EVACUATION OF WILKES-BARRE APARTMENT BUILDING
Tags: us_PA, public, fire, response, unknown_chemical
MINNESOTA OFFICIALS LOWER CHEMICAL LIMITS IN DRINKING WATER
Tags: us_MN, industrial, discovery, response, other_chemical
TOXIC CHEMICAL PLUME FOUND AT MICHIGAN AIRFIELD
Tags: us_MI, public, release, response, toxics
HAZMAT SITUATION IN BENTON COUNTY LEADS TO EVACUATIONS
Tags: us_AR, transportation, release, response, dust
TRIO WHO TRIED TO TACKLE FLAMES TREATED BY MEDICS AFTER CHEMICAL FIRE AT POLGOOTH NEAR ST AUSTELL
Tags: United_Kingdom, public, fire, injury, other_chemical
VALERO OUTAGE PROMPTS BENICIA TO CONSIDER INDUSTRIAL SAFETY ORDINANCE
Tags: us_CA, industrial, follow-up, environmental
ATTORNEYS GENERAL SEEK NEW RULES FOR CRUDE OIL BY RAIL
Tags: transportation, follow-up, environmental, petroleum
CREWS COVER PARTIALLY-COLLAPSED TUNNEL AT NUCLEAR SITE
Tags: us_WA, industrial, follow-up, environmental, radiation, waste
CHEMICAL REACTION STARTS FIRE IN BARREL AT SPRINGFIELD PLANT
Tags: us_OR, industrial, fire, response, unknown_chemical
CONSUMER WATCH: EXPLODING BATTERIES AND PREVENTING DISASTER
Tags: public, discovery, environmental, batteries
TEXARKANA, TEXAS RESIDENT RAISE CONCERNS ABOUT CHEMICAL STORAGE TANKS
Tags: us_TX, public, discovery, environmental, unknown_chemical
SPLAINE WANTS PORTSMOUTH TO GO CHEMICAL-FREE
Tags: us_NH, public, discovery, environmental, ag_chems
---------------------------------------------
NORTHBOUND TURNPIKE LANES REOPEN AFTER DAYLONG CRASH, HAZMAT CLOSURE
Tags: us_WV, transportation, release, injury, batteries, sulfuric_acid
Northbound lanes of the West Virginia Turnpike between North Beckley and Mahan reopened about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday following a daylong closure caused by a hazardous material spill from an overturned tractor-trailer.
The truck, transporting industrial-sized batteries, overturned in the northbound lanes near Mahan between 2 and 3 a.m. Tuesday, spilling battery acid onto the highway, officials said. The cause of the accident remains undetermined.
The driver of the vehicle was taken to a local hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash, according to officials.
---------------------------------------------
TOO FAST, TOO SOON: HOW CHINA'S GROWTH LED TO THE TIANJIN DISASTER
Tags: China, industrial, follow-up, environmental, other_chemical
t was almost midnight on a summer Wednesday in 2015 when Hu Xiumin was jolted awake by a loud noise. Her apartment building in the affluent Harbour City development was shaking violently. She ran from the bedroom to find her husband standing in the study, looking out of the window.
From here they could see out over the port of Tianjin; one of the warehouses was on fire. They backed away from the window just moments before the warehouse exploded in one of the worst manmade disasters in China‰??s history.
Although Hu and her husband were unscathed, 173 people died at Ruihai International Logistics, a warehouse that was storing thousands of tonnes of hazardous chemicals. Hundreds more people were injured and thousands displaced on 12 August. Videos of the explosion went viral on social media. To the world, the tragedy became known as the Tianjin explosion. To locals, it‰??s 8/12.
But the explosion also underscored a dilemma at the heart of China‰??s unprecedented economic boom: the chemical industry is critical for the country‰??s growth, but that growth is also fuelling rapid urbanisation. This is pushing residential areas closer to active chemical sites ‰?? like in Tianjin.
---------------------------------------------
AMMONIA LEAK CONTAINED
Tags: us_IA, industrial, release, response, ammonia
Emergency personnel responded to a report of late-night ammonia leak at a local business Monday.
According to a Marshalltown Fire Department press release, shortly after 10:30 p.m. Monday, the Marshalltown Fire Department responded to Crystal Distribution Services, 816 Union St., for a report of an ammonia leak in the facility. Upon arrival, fire department personnel were advised the ammonia leak was located in the basement of the facility. The affected building was evacuated prior to the arrival of the fire department, as well as a portion of the JBS Swift Plant located adjacent to and downwind from Crystal Distribution.
MFD Deputy Chief Christopher Cross said the ammonia leak was located at a valve of a compressor unit. Hazardous Materials technicians from Crystal Distribution‰??s home office in Waterloo, as well as technicians from JBS Swift made entry to the space using encapsulating suits, breathing apparatus and air monitoring equipment to stop the flow of ammonia to the building. MFD personnel provided safety stand by and incident management to the hazardous materials teams.
Cross said the exact quantity of ammonia released is unknown, adding there is no known ongoing environmental impact as a result of the release.
---------------------------------------------
MASSIVE FIRE IN ATWATER MAY CAUSE LONG TERM PROBLEMS FOR CITY
Tags: us_CA, public, fire, response, asphalt, gasoline
ATWATER, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fire burned about 100 yards worth of road off the Highway 99, creating enough heat to scorch a McDonald's witnesses said was never even touched by the flames. For a while, California Highway Patrol officers worried about cars on the highway itself.
"We had units run breaks to shut down traffic. We didn't know if it was going to explode," said Eric Zuniga, CHP.
Hours later, officers reopened the Highway and traffic moved on as usual, with only the closed Applegate exit as a mark of a deadly morning. Atwater Mayor Jim Price said he has never seen an accident here before, but he recognizes the quick cloverleaf off the freeway can be tricky.
"If you're not familiar with that particular exit, it'll creep up on you real fast."
After more than 8,000 gallons of fuel burned off, firefighters got the hot spots cooled off, and turned their attention to possible long term troubles. The asphalt is charred and may need to be replaced before the Highway exit reopens and Some of that gasoline spilled into drainage ditches.
From there, the Mayor said it may go to nearby canals or the sewage system. So fire danger still exists there, and businesses won't be able to get back to normal.
---------------------------------------------
2 LEAKAGES FOUND IN ETP PIPELINE
Tags: us_ND, transportation, release, response, oils
The controversial Dakota Access pipeline, developed by the Energy Transfer Partners ETP , has leaked more than 100 gallons of oil in North Dakota. Two separate incidents of leakage were recorded in March in the $3.78 billion pipeline system.
About the Leakages
On Mar 3, the State Health Department announced that 84 gallons of oil spilled from the connecting segment of two sections of the Dakota Access pipeline in Watford City. The spill was contained on site by stopping the flow of oil. The polluted snow and soil were also later removed. The department's environmental health database has importantly stated that no human life, wildlife and waterways were affected by the spill.
In another incident of leakage, 20 gallons of oil was spilled in rural Mercer County on Mar 5. The federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has provided the data.
Cause and Measurements
The leakage occurred due to failure of an above-ground valve. A manufacturing defect is therefore cited as the reason. To isolate the leak, upstream and downstream valves were shut down. Inspections were carried out to ensure no leakage was left in the pipeline system. The database from the above-mentioned authority confirmed that there were no leaks along the pipeline in the neighboring states of Iowa and Illinois.
Following these spilling incidents, the partnership assured that the pipeline is safe. Energy Transfer Partners is making preparations to start commercial operations from Jun 1. However, many tribes residing in Dakota fear environmental harm can be caused by this pipeline and challenged the partnership in court.
---------------------------------------------
UNKNOWN IRRITANT SICKENS STUDENTS, STAFF AT MICHIGAN SCHOOL
Tags: us_MI, education, release, injury, irritant
MUSKEGON, Mich. (AP) ‰?? About 20 students and staff members at a western Michigan school have been treated for breathing problems caused by an unknown irritant.
The Muskegon Chronicle and WOOD-TV report hazardous materials teams were inside Muskegon Catholic Central on Tuesday trying to determine the cause of the irritant. Classes have been cancelled for the day.
Authorities say there is no evidence of foul play, and those treated at and released from hospitals weren't considered to be critical. Reported symptoms included shortness of breath, coughing and chest tightness.
Michigan Catholic Central President Ken Rasp said he could feel something in his throat that made him want to sneeze.
About 450 people were in the school at the time of the evacuation.
---------------------------------------------
STATEMENT FROM CSB CHAIRPERSON VANESSA ALLEN SUTHERLAND ON CSB FY 2018 BUDGET REQUEST
Tags: public, discovery, environmental
The President‰??s full budget for Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) continues to propose the elimination of 19 agencies, including the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB). Today, the CSB submitted its budget request for FY18, pursuant to its authority as an independent federal agency. Congress provided the CSB with concurrent authority to submit its annual budget requests directly to the Congress, as well as to the Office of Management and Budget.
The CSB‰??s primary mission is the prevention of accidents. It is a non-regulatory agency that issues recommendations in support of its safety-critical mission. Congress intended for the CSB to examine the role of both the regulator and the regulated in its investigations and makes recommendations to both. And in that regard, we hold other federal agencies accountable, as well as industry. In our safety investigations of high consequence chemical accidents, we routinely examine the adequacy of the existing regulations and standards. No other federal agency, or private entity for that matter, provides this comprehensive safety role.
The CSB‰??s mission is vital to drive chemical safety change through independent investigations to protect people and the environment.
---------------------------------------------
CHEMICAL ISSUE CAUSES EVACUATION OF WILKES-BARRE APARTMENT BUILDING
Tags: us_PA, public, fire, response, unknown_chemical
WILKES-BARRE ‰?? Four apartments were evacuated after reports of a ‰??chemical haze‰?? in the building that houses them, according to Wilkes-Barre Fire Chief Jay Delaney.
Delaney said fire crews were called to an apartment on Stanton Street for initial reports of a fire in the basement. Delaney said that when arriving on scene, fire crews found the issue to be one of a ‰??chemical‰?? nature.
Delaney did not comment on the nature of the chemical, but said that the apartment building would be safe to enter once the haze was totally ventilated, adding that it did not pose a danger to the building or the surrounding neighborhood.
---------------------------------------------
MINNESOTA OFFICIALS LOWER CHEMICAL LIMITS IN DRINKING WATER
Tags: us_MN, industrial, discovery, response, other_chemical
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) ‰?? Minnesota health officials have lowered exposure limits for some chemicals that have been in drinking water in the east metro area and Bemidji.
The chemicals are known as PFOA and PFOS and were used at a 3M manufacturing site and dumped at sites in Washington County.
State health officials say there's no immediate health threat, but after reviewing research about the chemicals' effects on fetuses and infants, they concluded current federal standards don't go far enough to protect infants from long-term risks.
The new guidelines affect public and private drinking water wells in Bemidji and in several east metro communities, including Cottage Grove, Woodbury, Lake Elmo, Oakdale and St. Paul Park. State officials say those cities will take steps to provide drinking water at or below the new levels.
---------------------------------------------
TOXIC CHEMICAL PLUME FOUND AT MICHIGAN AIRFIELD
Tags: us_MI, public, release, response, toxics
GRAYLING, Mich. (AP) -- The Michigan National Guard will soon be testing residential drinking wells near its main training facility after groundwater testing showed a plume of toxic chemicals at the facility.
MLive reports that an informational meeting about the testing was held Friday for nearby Grayling residents. The state's National Guard says about 100 homes with private wells just west and south of the Grayling Army Airfield are at risk for contamination from toxic fluorocarbons.
March testing detected chemicals at concentrations above the federal health advisory level in the airfield's five monitoring wells. The contaminants are tied to thyroid, kidney, liver, reproductive and other health problems.
Project manager Rob MacLeod says the National Guard is moving directly to private well sampling because the plume boundaries are still unknown.
---------------------------------------------
HAZMAT SITUATION IN BENTON COUNTY LEADS TO EVACUATIONS
Tags: us_AR, transportation, release, response, dust
BENTON COUNTY, Ark. ‰??
A shipment of chili powder caused an evacuation at a UPS freight terminal in Lowell Monday morning.
Police were called after an unknown, smelly gas leaked from a semi-trailer parked at the terminal on S. Lincoln Street.
Everyone within 300 feet of this trailer was evacuated initially, but the evacuation zone was lowered to 75 feet by 10:20 a.m.
Shortly after noon, fire crews determined the scene was no longer dangerous, according to Chief Mike Morris.
The cause of the smell was later identified as a shipment of chili powder, Chris Yohn with UPS Freight Headquarters told 40/29.
---------------------------------------------
TRIO WHO TRIED TO TACKLE FLAMES TREATED BY MEDICS AFTER CHEMICAL FIRE AT POLGOOTH NEAR ST AUSTELL
Tags: United_Kingdom, public, fire, injury, other_chemical
Three people who tried to put out flames have been treated by medics after a fire at a swimming pool pump house containing chemicals near St Austell.
Firefighters were scrambled to the building in Polgooth shortly before 12.10pm yesterday. Nine firefighters from St Austell and Mevagissey arrived to find a small detached building alight.
Crews wearing breathing gear checked the scene at the 3 metre X 2 metre to find a "mix of hazardous materials" had been involved in the fire.
The crews called for back-up from across the county.
A Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "An ambulance was requested to attend to treat three casualties on scene who had been tackling the fire on the arrival of the fire service.
"Additional fire resources were mobilised to the scene including appliances from St Austell, Mevagissey and Truro, and an environmental support unit and accompanying appliance from Penzance to assist with decontamination on scene.
---------------------------------------------
VALERO OUTAGE PROMPTS BENICIA TO CONSIDER INDUSTRIAL SAFETY ORDINANCE
Tags: us_CA, industrial, follow-up, environmental
City officials would have greater oversight over the Valero refinery under a proposal set to be unveiled at the Benicia City Council meeting on Tuesday‰??a potential reform prompted by the major outage at the facility earlier this month.
Mayor Elizabeth Patterson is proposing the city develop regulations similar to those in Contra Costa County, home to several refineries. That county‰??s industrial safety ordinance, considered to be one of the strongest in the country, requires oil refining facilities to undergo safety audits and have risk management plans.
For instance, after a major refinery problem, like the one at Valero on May 5, the county can order the company to provide a preliminary report 72 hours later.
That‰??s the case in Contra Costa County, but the Valero facility is in Solano County and therefore not subject to the same rules.
---------------------------------------------
ATTORNEYS GENERAL SEEK NEW RULES FOR CRUDE OIL BY RAIL
Tags: transportation, follow-up, environmental, petroleum
ALBANY, N.Y.
Six Democratic state attorneys general including New York's are asking federal regulators to place new restrictions on crude oil trains that pass through their states.
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman (SHNEYE'-dur-muhn) says these trains can carry crude oil through densely populated areas such as downtown Albany without any limit on explosiveness or flammability.
Concerns about the oil trains have grown since a 2013 tanker explosion that killed 47 people in Quebec.
Schneiderman and attorneys general from California, Illinois, Maine, Maryland and Washington sent comments Friday on proposed rulemaking by the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
---------------------------------------------
CREWS COVER PARTIALLY-COLLAPSED TUNNEL AT NUCLEAR SITE
Tags: us_WA, industrial, follow-up, environmental, radiation, waste
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) ‰?? Workers this weekend finished installing a protective cover over a partially-collapsed tunnel that contained radioactive waste on the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, the U.S. Department of Energy said Monday.
The tunnel that contained highly radioactive wastes left over from production of plutonium for nuclear weapons partially collapsed on May 9, prompting evacuation of nearby workers.
The hole left by the partial collapse was filled with more than 50 truckloads of soil the next day.
The Energy Department has said no workers were injured and no airborne radiation escaped into the environment as a result of the incident. The agency said the cover will provide additional protection while work continues to find a permanent fix.
Crews from contractor CH2M HILL Plateau Remediation Company placed the cover over the tunnel and secured it on the sides with heavy concrete blocks. Over the next few days, crews will string cables across the cover.
"Since this event began, our focus has been on protecting our workers, the public, and the environment," said Doug Shoop, manager of the Department of Energy's Richland, Washington, office, where Hanford is located.
---------------------------------------------
CHEMICAL REACTION STARTS FIRE IN BARREL AT SPRINGFIELD PLANT
Tags: us_OR, industrial, fire, response, unknown_chemical
SPRINGFIELD, Ore. - A chemical reaction started a fire at a chemical plant Sunday evening. No one was injured.
Firefighters said the blaze started around 6:30 p.m. in a barrel outside Hexion, a chemical and energy company on 2nd Street.
Crews quickly extinguished the fire, preventing any serious damage.
KVAL - Hexion fire
---------------------------------------------
CONSUMER WATCH: EXPLODING BATTERIES AND PREVENTING DISASTER
Tags: public, discovery, environmental, batteries
OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) ‰?? They are in our remotes, cell phones, laptops, fitness bands and more. Rechargeable batteries are a part of our daily lives, but if they explode, they can often burn anything near them.
A toddler died in a house fire in Pennsylvania after a hoverboard burst into flames, A laptop caught fire in New York leaving the owner scarred from chemical burns, and a cellphone exploded in a 10 year-old's pocket while at school in Florida. All of these blamed on rechargeable batteries.
Evan Spahlinger suffered from 3rd degree burns, and spent a week in the intensive care unit. Evan was badly burned by an exploding rechargeable battery from an e-cigarette.
"I was sort of gasping for air. everything I was spitting out was black, like I was spitting up blood," says Spahlinger.
Evan‰??s horror story is just one of many. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there have been 49 different recalls of lithium-ion batteries since 2012. That totals more than 4.2 million products pulled.
---------------------------------------------
TEXARKANA, TEXAS RESIDENT RAISE CONCERNS ABOUT CHEMICAL STORAGE TANKS
Tags: us_TX, public, discovery, environmental, unknown_chemical
Despite city assurances, some Texarkana, Txas residents are expressing concern over chemical storage tanks in their neighborhood.
The city says the tanks affect about 13 area homes within 200 feet of the chemical site.
After neighbors voiced their concern at a council meeting earlier in May, city staff promptly began preparing a report about the site.
The city council has already been given copies of the report about the chemical solutions stored by CHS in tanks in the 1300 block of Phenie Street.
While the report says the solution in the tanks is not hazardous, nearby neighbors insist that the fertilizer is causing illnesses and is capable of causing an explosion.
"Every since I've been here. I've been sick. I've been going to the doctor. I'm just concerned. It's got to be something," said Artis Smith Jr., Texarkana, Texas.
---------------------------------------------
SPLAINE WANTS PORTSMOUTH TO GO CHEMICAL-FREE
Tags: us_NH, public, discovery, environmental, ag_chems
PORTSMOUTH ‰?? Assistant Mayor Jim Splaine plans to ask city staff to move toward ‰??using chemical-free products as much as possible in all city operations, including weed control and maintenance operations.‰??
Splaine is planning to discuss the topic at the City Council‰??s upcoming council retreat on Saturday, June 3 at the Portsmouth Public Library.
Splaine said his goal is to ‰??protect our citizens, students and employees‰?? from the dangers he believes are created by using certain herbicides and cleaning products.
He pointed in particular to the danger of the herbicide Roundup, which contains the chemical glyphosate, which Department of Public Works Director Peter Rice recently said is in the product Rodeo, which the city‰??s contractor uses to kill weeds.
‰??It‰??s quite a dangerous chemical,‰?? Splaine said Monday. ‰??My objective at the retreat is to get us as a staff and city to start looking at other options seriously. We need to figure out what we can do without using hazardous chemicals in weed control, as well as in cleaning efforts in the schools and other city buildings.‰??
Splaine believes that vinegar and salt ‰??can kill most weeds‰?? without using dangerous chemicals.
‰??We should not be putting that in our soil,‰?? Splaine said.
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