Check out Safety Emporium for your N95, N99, and face shield needs.
From: DCHAS Membership Chair <membership**At_Symbol_Here**DCHAS.ORG>
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Chemical Safety headlines (12 articles)
Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2018 06:57:04 -0400
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Message-ID: E4DE549B-151F-49D1-8F52-895B235FBF47**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org
Article summaries are also available at http://pinboard.in/u:dchas
Table of Contents (12 articles)
CHEMICAL THAT CAUSED EVACUATION OF WAREHOUSE IS IDENTIFIED
Tags: us_NJ, industrial, follow-up, response, solvent
SURVIVORS, WIDOWS SUE FLUOR FOR CATASTROPHIC EXPLOSION
Tags: us_TX, industrial, follow-up, death, flammables
ONE DEAD IN CHEMICAL PLANT FIRE
Tags: India, industrial, explosion, death, solvent
CSU HAS NOT ENSURED SAFETY OF STUDENTS AND STAFF WORKING WITH HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Tags: us_CA, laboratory, discovery, environmental, other_chemical
INVESTIGATORS: EXCESS TURPENTINE LED TO EXPLOSIVE ENVIRONMENT AT
Tags: us_AL, industrial, follow-up, death, other_chemical
POLICE INVESTIGATING SUSPICIOUS, SMOKING CHEMICAL AT HIGH SCHOOL IN COVINGTON
Tags: us_LA, education, discovery, response, unknown_chemical, illegal
SEATTLE-BASED CHILDCARE STUDY SPOTLIGHTS CONCERNS ABOUT FLAME RETARDANTS IN NAP MATS
Tags: us_WA, public, discovery, environmental, toxics
POOL MISHAP LEADS TO EVACUATION AT WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
Tags: us_WI, education, release, response, pool_chemicals
CPSC‰??S EXPANDED PROHIBITION ON PHTHALATES IN CHILDREN‰??S PRODUCTS SET TO TAKE EFFECT
Tags: public, discovery, environmental, plastics
MAN PULLED FROM BURNING TANK AT CHEMICAL PLANT IN ENNIS
Tags: us_TX, industrial, explosion, injury, asphalt
VISALIA EXPLOSION LEADS TO DISCOVERY OF 'SMALL-SCALE' HONEY OIL LAB
Tags: us_CA, public, fire, injury, butane, clandestine_lab
GOVT SEEKS SAFETY IN CHEMICAL ENVIRONMENT ‰?? PUNCH NEWSPAPERS
Tags: Niger, industrial, discovery, environmental
---------------------------------------------
CHEMICAL THAT CAUSED EVACUATION OF WAREHOUSE IS IDENTIFIED
http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2018/04/chemical_that_caused_evacuation_of_warehouse_is_id.html
Tags: us_NJ, industrial, follow-up, response, solvent
The evacuation of a warehouse in the industrial section of Kearny this morning was caused by a spill of a 5 percent solution of dimethyl sulfide, a spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) said.
A drum at St. George Logistics, a shipping and distribution company at 5 Logistics Way, was punctured by a forklift at 8:20 a.m., DEP spokesman Larry Hajna said. Logistics Drive is south of the Pulaski Skyway and between the Hackensack and Passaic rivers.
Dimethyl sulfide is an organic compound that contains sulfur, and in diluted forms is used for industrial solvents. Contact with it can cause irritation of the eyes and skin.
Some 50 workers were evacuated and water from the sprinklers went into a storm drain and into the nearby Passaic River, officials said. The spill drew a massive response, with the Kearny Fire Department, hazmat units from Jersey City and the county and fire boats from Newark, Jersey City and Bayonne, Kearny Fire Chief Steven Dyl said.
---------------------------------------------
SURVIVORS, WIDOWS SUE FLUOR FOR CATASTROPHIC EXPLOSION
https://www.courthousenews.com/survivors-widows-sue-fluor-for-catastrophic-explosion/
Tags: us_TX, industrial, follow-up, death, flammables
DALLAS (CN) ‰?? Survivors and relatives of 32 people killed at a catastrophic chemical plant explosion in southern Mexico have sued Fluor, the engineering and construction giant, accusing it of knowing about its ‰??horrendous safety record‰?? at the plant.
Lead plaintiff Maria Gope and 52 other named plaintiffs sued Irving, Texas-based Fluor in Dallas County Court on Friday for negligence and gross negligence. They claim the April 2016 explosion at the PetroquÌ-mica Mexicana de Vinilo chemical plant came after Fluor knew that ‰??flammable materials, including chlorine and ethanol, had been escaping from tanks and pipes‰?? at the plant. Hundreds more people were injured in the blast.
‰??(Y)et they did nothing to shut down the facility so that the unsuspecting workers did not into what was essentially a ticking time bomb,‰?? the 17-page complaint states. ‰??In fact, the safety aspects for this work were being run and directed out of the defendants‰?? Houston area office. Defendants were also aware that the facility‰??s aged equipment and infrastructure had a history of failures; and that the site had a long history of catastrophic accidents.‰??
---------------------------------------------
ONE DEAD IN CHEMICAL PLANT FIRE
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/chandigarh/one-dead-in-chemical-plant-fire/579383.html
Tags: India, industrial, explosion, death, solvent
One worker was killed in the series of blasts and the fire that ripped through a chemical plant at Behra village here on Monday night. The loss has been estimated to be around Rs 4-5 crore, said sources.
Rakesh Kumar (50), who had suffered over 70 per cent burn injuries, was taken to a private hospital in Dera Bassi from where he was referred to the PGI. His condition deteriorated on the way to the PGI and was taken to the GMCH, Sector 32, where he was declared brought dead.
Rakesh Kumar, a resident of College Colony, Dera Bassi, was working as a production manager at the Maggu chemical plant. Sources said seven people were working in the chemical plant and standard operating protocol lapses might be the cause of the explosion.
Dera Bassi fire personnel were on their toes even on the second day on Tuesday as the containers containing solvents kept smouldering. Two fire engines were stationed on the spot to sprinkle water at regular intervals to check recurrence of the blaze, said a fire official.
The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. Initial reports suggest that high pressure and temperature reportedly led to an uncontrolled and unstable solvent reaction, causing an explosion in a chemical reactor. There were a series of blasts in chemical containers, leading to high flames. The entire plant was gutted.
---------------------------------------------
CSU HAS NOT ENSURED SAFETY OF STUDENTS AND STAFF WORKING WITH HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
http://www.sacbee.com/latest-news/article209645474.html
Tags: us_CA, laboratory, discovery, environmental, other_chemical
The California State University Chancellor's Office has failed to ensure the safety of employees and students who work with hazardous materials, including those at Sacramento State where a 2016 chemical spill caused injuries and possible long-term health damage, according to a state audit.
The critical report by the California State Auditor says the Chancellor‰??s Office has increased risks for staff and students by not addressing deficiencies despite repeat recommendations by the CSU audit office to increase health and safety oversight.
"Despite the fact that many of these deficiencies have remained unresolved for nearly two decades, the Chancellor's Office has not taken the steps necessary to hold the campuses accountable," according to the audit.
When questioned by officials at the State Auditor's Office, the risk management director at CSU said the Chancellor's Office does not consider itself as an oversight entity responsible for health and safety, but instead provides guidance, resource materials and collaboration, according to the report. He said the campuses are better positioned to address daily operations.
The state audit examined CSU campuses in Sacramento, San Diego, Sonoma and Channel Islands. It also surveyed lab technicians at all 23 campuses.
All CSU campuses use hazardous materials for instruction and research, according to the report. Students and employees can be exposed to chemicals in laboratories, classrooms and stockrooms.
The auditor determined that the four campuses did not provide the oversight and training necessary to ensure the safety of students and employees.
Specifically, the audit found none of the campuses had joint safety committees, were able to show they reviewed their chemical plans annually or show that employees and staff regularly received safety training.
---------------------------------------------
INVESTIGATORS: EXCESS TURPENTINE LED TO EXPLOSIVE ENVIRONMENT AT
http://www.kplctv.com/story/38032980/safety-investigation-board-releases-final-report-on-pca-explosion
Tags: us_AL, industrial, follow-up, death, other_chemical
KPLC) -
Excess turpentine that had not been siphoned off from a 100,000-gallon foul condensate tank led to an explosion at the Packaging Corporation of America mill in DeRidder in February 2017.
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board on Tuesday released its final report on the 2017 explosion at Packaging Corporation of America that killed three people.
The explosion sent the condensate tank flying over a six-story structure. Jody Gooch, age 40, of Newton, Texas, William Rolls, age 32, of Mittie, and Sedrick Stallworth, age 42, of Alabama, were all killed in the explosion. Seven others were injured, including a fourth member of the crew - Guadalupe Delarosa.
---------------------------------------------
POLICE INVESTIGATING SUSPICIOUS, SMOKING CHEMICAL AT HIGH SCHOOL IN COVINGTON
http://www.wbrz.com/news/police-investigating-suspicious-smoking-chemical-at-high-school-in-covington/
Tags: us_LA, education, discovery, response, unknown_chemical, illegal
ST. TAMMANY PARISH - One juvenile is in custody after police say a suspicious chemical was found at a high school in Covington.
According to the Covington Police Department, school officials at William Pitcher Jr. High School notified police just after 2:00 p.m. regarding a student in possession of a bottle containing an unknown chemical. The bottle was reportedly smoking, and school authorities say the chemical had spilled onto a sidewalk outside.
One male juvenile is currently in police custody, and criminal charges are pending.
The Covington Police Department, with the assistance of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff‰??s Office and Covington Fire Department are continuing the investigation.
---------------------------------------------
SEATTLE-BASED CHILDCARE STUDY SPOTLIGHTS CONCERNS ABOUT FLAME RETARDANTS IN NAP MATS
http://komonews.com/news/consumer/seattle-based-childcare-study-spotlights-concerns-about-flame-retardants-in-nap-mats
Tags: us_WA, public, discovery, environmental, toxics
The Interlake Child Care and Learning Center is one of 7 centers in the Seattle area that agreed to let researchers take their old nap mats and test the foam cushions for chemical flame retardants.
Director Marna Towle and her staff didn't hesitate to take the opportunity to learn about possible exposure to harmful chemicals linked to cancer, hormone distruption, childhood obesity and other serious diseases in young children.
"When I see the words flame retardant I think great, it's not gonna burn very much if it catches on fire," said Towle. "But I don't think any of us are really thinking about- Oh, that means toxins are being released into the air in static form."
Reseachers at Toxic-Free Future gave each center a new supply of nap mats that are free of both flame retardant chemicals and PVC (vinyl) which often contains harmful chemicals called phthalates.
---------------------------------------------
POOL MISHAP LEADS TO EVACUATION AT WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
https://www.cbs58.com/news/pool-mishap-leads-to-evacuation-at-washington-high-school
Tags: us_WI, education, release, response, pool_chemicals
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) ‰?? Everyone is okay after a hazmat scare prompted the evacuation of Washington High School in Milwaukee.
Students were sent out to fields along Sherman Boulevard after someone put the wrong chemical in the school‰??s swimming pool.
The Fire Department was called to the school.
CBS 58 has no word of anyone getting sick and students returned to class before 12:00 p.m. Monday.
---------------------------------------------
CPSC‰??S EXPANDED PROHIBITION ON PHTHALATES IN CHILDREN‰??S PRODUCTS SET TO TAKE EFFECT
https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=490c154f-a480-4788-8b45-fd9142298161
Tags: public, discovery, environmental, plastics
The Consumer Product Safety Commission‰??s (CPSC) final rule expanding phthalate restrictions in children‰??s toys and child care articles takes effect this week, on April 25, 2018. The rule renews the ban on DEHP, DBP and BBP, makes the interim ban on DINP permanent, and adds four new phthalates to the list of banned phthalates in children‰??s products.
Phthalates are a group of chemicals typically used to soften vinyl and other plastics and make them pliable and easier to grip and are found in numerous household products. The final rule comes nearly a decade after CPSC first began to regulate phthalates over concerns that phthalates can act as endocrine disruptors.
To recap, in 2008, Congress passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), which prohibited toys and child care items containing the following three phthalates:
di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP);
dibutyl phthalate (DBP); and
butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) .
The CPSIA also imposed an interim ban on the following three additional phthalates pending an investigation by the Chronic Hazard Advisory Panel (CHAP) into their health effects:
---------------------------------------------
MAN PULLED FROM BURNING TANK AT CHEMICAL PLANT IN ENNIS
http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2018/04/23/man-pulled-from-burning-tank-at-chemical-plant-in-ennis/
Tags: us_TX, industrial, explosion, injury, asphalt
ENNIS (CBSDW.COM) ‰?? Emergency crews pulled a man from a burning tank after a reported explosion in Ennis.
It happened at the U.S. Polyco plant along Interstate-45 near FM 85 in Ennis. The facility develops and makes road materials like asphalt, sealants and coatings.
This is the second time an explosion has happened at the plant this year. On February 2, an asphalt rail container blew its top and a fire broke out. No one was hurt in that incident.
---------------------------------------------
VISALIA EXPLOSION LEADS TO DISCOVERY OF 'SMALL-SCALE' HONEY OIL LAB
https://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/story/news/2018/04/23/visalia-explosion-leads-discovery-small-scale-honey-oil-lab/544400002/
Tags: us_CA, public, fire, injury, butane, clandestine_lab
Two Visalia men are recovering from burn injuries at Kaweah Delta Medical Center.
They may face legal challenges while they heal from their injuries.
Visalia firefighters were called just after 3 p.m.to a structure fire at a two-story apartment complex at 303 NW Third Avenue.
Crews were able to quickly extinguish the flames. While they worked, they noticed something was amiss and called police.
When police arrived they began questioning neighbors and residents of the apartment complex.
Witnesses told police two men with burn injuries were headed north on NW Third. The men were later taken to Kaweah Delta Medical Center for treatment.
Police didn't release the condition or the names of the men but said their injuries were "moderate."
Sgt. Damon Maurice said there was evidence of a "small-scale" butane honey oil lab in the unit.
---------------------------------------------
GOVT SEEKS SAFETY IN CHEMICAL ENVIRONMENT ‰?? PUNCH NEWSPAPERS
http://www.punchng.com/govt-seeks-safety-in-chemical-environment/
Tags: Niger, industrial, discovery, environmental
Lagos State residents have been implored to cooperate with the government by adhering to measures aimed at enhancing safety in the chemical industry and in other workplaces.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Dr. Jemilade Longe, made the plea on Monday at the opening of a sensitisation workshop organised by the Lagos State Safety Commission in collaboration with Didomi Company Limited in the Ketu area of the state.
Longe, who was represented by the ministry‰??s Director of Administration and Human Resources, Mrs. Basirat Akinsanya, said, ‰??The government is desirous of achieving a safer environment and healthier citizenry. We will continue to train and retrain safety officials until the desired goal is achieved.‰??
The Director-General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr Hakeem Dickson, represented by the Director, Safety Training and Education, Mr. Adebiyi Adeyinka, disclosed that the programme was organised to enlighten stakeholders on precautionary and preventive measures available in order to reduce industrial chemical hazards.
---------------------------------------------
---
For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org
Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchas
Previous post | Top of Page | Next post