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From: Ralph Stuart <membership**At_Symbol_Here**DCHAS.ORG>
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Chemical Safety headlines (19 articles)
Date: Wed, 29 Sep 2021 06:43:20 -0400
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Message-ID: 7101AA72-9B89-4047-A4FC-8D781B09535B**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org
Chemical Safety Headlines From Google
Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at 6:42:52 AM
A service of the ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety
Connecting Chemistry and Safety at http://www.dchas.org
All article summaries and tags are archived at http://pinboard.in/u:dchas
Table of Contents (19 articles)
CARBON MONOXIDE LEAK AT NURSING HOME SENDS 5 TO HOSPITAL; BUILDING PARTIALLY EVACUATED
Tags: us_LA, public, release, injury, carbon_monoxide
PERSON HOSPITALIZED FOR EXPOSURE AFTER AMMONIA LEAK IN STRIP DISTRICT ‰?? CBS PITTSBURGH
Tags: us_PA, industrial, release, injury, ammonia
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT SPRINGS A LEAK, NO THREAT SEEN
Tags: us_MD, public, release, injury, water_treatment
TRAINING INCIDENT CAUSES HAZMAT SITUATION IN MOREAU
Tags: us_NY, public, release, response, tear_gas
UPDATE: SIX INJURED IN CHEMICAL PLANT EXPLOSION IN CALCASIEU PARISH
Tags: us_MS, industrial, explosion, injury, petroleum
BEDFORD UTILITIES REPORTS NO HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES WERE RELEASED INTO THE STORMWATER SYSTEM
Tags: us_IN, public, release, response, dye, illegal, plastics
AN UNEXPECTED INCIDENT DURING THE MANUFACTURE OF O-(DIPHENYLPHOSPHINYL)HYDROXYLAMINE
Tags: Canada, laboratory, discovery, environmental, other_chemical
CHEMICAL SAFETY BOARD FINALIZES TWO FATAL ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS
Tags: us_IL, industrial, follow-up, environmental, flammables, hydrogen, silane
AFTER HURRICANE IDA, OIL INFRASTRUCTURE SPRINGS DOZENS OF LEAKS
Tags: us_LA, public, release, response, oils
PEOPLE HOSPITALISED AFTER EXPOSURE TO MYSTERY SUBSTANCE AT A LONG JETTY PHARMACY
Tags: Australia, public, release, injury, unknown_chemical
BRIAR CHEMICALS FINED å£1M FOLLOWING FATAL ACCIDENT
Tags: United_Kingdom, industrial, explosion, death, toluene
‰??RUSTY COLORED‰?? DISCHARGE FROM US STEEL SHUTS DOWN BEACHES AT INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK
Tags: us_IN, industrial, release, response, unknown_chemical
TABOR ACADEMY STUDENTS EVACUATED DUE TO CHEMICAL SPILL
Tags: laboratory, release, response, ammonia
CHEMICAL SPILL BLOCKS HIGHWAY THROUGH KAIMAI RANGES
Tags: New_Zealand, transportation, release, response, unknown_chemical
CHEMICAL LEAK IN BALTIMORE COUNTY CONTAINED: FIRE OFFICIALS
Tags: us_MD, public, release, response, unknown_chemical
PEOPLE IN HOSPITAL AFTER ATTENDING PHARMACY ON NSW CENTRAL COAST
Tags: Australia, public, release, injury, unknown_chemical
HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL LEAK CONTAINED AFTER TRAIN DERAILMENT IN SMITHVILLE
Tags: us_TX, transportation, release, response, hydrochloric_acid
FIRE CREWS CALLED TO CHEMICAL REACTION IN WESTON-SUPER-MARE HOME
Tags: United_Kingdom, public, release, injury, cleaners
MAJOR 'CHEMICAL LEAK' FORCES FULL EVACUATION AT HOTEL AS 'SMELL SPREADS THROUGH VENUE'
Tags: United_Kingdom, public, release, response, unknown_chemical
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CARBON MONOXIDE LEAK AT NURSING HOME SENDS 5 TO HOSPITAL; BUILDING PARTIALLY EVACUATED
https://www.wbrz.com/news/carbon-monoxide-leak-at-nursing-home-sends-5-to-hospital-building-partially-evacuated/
Tags: us_LA, public, release, injury, carbon_monoxide
BATON ROUGE - Several nursing home residents and workers fell ill after a carbon monoxide leak at a Baton Rouge facility Tuesday.
The Baton Rouge Fire Department said the incident was reported around 10:45 a.m. at the Sterling Place Nursing Home on North Boulevard. The department said at least five people, four residents and an employee, were taken to a hospital for treatment.
The department said a Hazmat crew determined a boiler vent pipe was leaking carbon monoxide on the fourth floor of the facility. The entire floor was evacuated, and the boiler was shut off.
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PERSON HOSPITALIZED FOR EXPOSURE AFTER AMMONIA LEAK IN STRIP DISTRICT ‰?? CBS PITTSBURGH
https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2021/09/28/pittsburgh-strip-district-ammonia-leak/
Tags: us_PA, industrial, release, injury, ammonia
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ‰?? Emergency responders filled the streets of the Strip District after an ammonia leak forced workers outside and sent one person to the hospital.
It happened at Consumers Produce on 21st and Railroad Street. Ammonia filled the air and one person from a nearby facility was sent to the hospital.
The streets are back open and the scene in clear, but things looked a lot different Tuesday afternoon.
City of Pittsburgh Assistant Chief of Risk Management Brian Kokkila said contractors were performing maintenance on a system in the building when the leak happened. They were able to quickly secure the leak, but public safety crews said you could smell the ammonia in the air, comparing the odor to a really strong window cleaner.
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WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT SPRINGS A LEAK, NO THREAT SEEN
https://www.dundalkeagle.com/news/local/wastewater-treatment-plant-springs-a-leak-no-threat-seen/article_8ff110ce-df39-5013-bcc6-a5ddb6bb997d.html
Tags: us_MD, public, release, injury, water_treatment
Hazmat units headed to the famous ‰??Golden Eggs‰?? of the Back River on Monday evening and controlled an over 2,000-gallon chemical spill.
Just before 6 p.m. on Monday, fire units were dispatched to the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant for the report of an ‰??odor in the area,‰?? and units came to find a ‰??5,000 gallon tank leaking sodium bisulf[i]te,‰?? according to county fire spokesperson Elise Armacost. Sodium bisulfite is a chemical used for dechlorination during the wastewater purification process.
The chemical leaked into a containment tank, so there was no immediate danger, Armacost said. Some who were at the facility were evacuated or quarantined, but nobody reported injuries.
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TRAINING INCIDENT CAUSES HAZMAT SITUATION IN MOREAU
https://www.news10.com/news/saratoga-county/training-incident-causes-hazmat-situation-in-moreau/
Tags: us_NY, public, release, response, tear_gas
MOREAU, N.Y. (NEWS10) ‰?? Town of Moreau officials are speaking with the Department of Correctional Services after a tear gas training incident turned into a HAZMAT situation.
Town Supervisor Todd Kusnierz said officials were told about the activity on Old Saratoga Road after neighbors complained about an odor in the area. The weather caused the tear gas used at the closed Mount McGregor Correctional Facility to come down on Old Saratoga Road.
There was a drone being used as well.
The county issued a reverse 911 notice for people to stay in their homes and close their windows.
Kusnierz said he is going to speak with state officials about communicating when a future training is taking place so neighbors are aware.
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UPDATE: SIX INJURED IN CHEMICAL PLANT EXPLOSION IN CALCASIEU PARISH
https://www.myarklamiss.com/louisiana-news/update-six-injured-in-chemical-plant-explosion-in-calcasieu-parish/
Tags: us_MS, industrial, explosion, injury, petroleum
UPDATE: 5:30 P.M. SULPHUR, La. (KLFY) ‰?? A chemical plant explosion in Calcasieu Parish has left six workers injured. It happened 15 minutes before midnight Monday. State Police and Westlake Chemical Corporation officials say no one was killed, but some workers are still in the hospital recovering.
The explosion happened at the Westlake Chemical‰??s Petro Complex 2 Unit along La. 108 and La. 27. It was so loud people living blocks away thought a gun went off in their home.
‰??I heard a loud bang, and then my entire house shook, so I was just like are we dead yet?‰??, Sulphur resident Kaiden Jardneaux recalled.
Jardneaux was half a mile away from the towering Westlake Petrochemicals plant when an explosion worried him for his safety. He‰??s alright, but in a statement, the company says six workers were sent to the hospital.
Westlake Chemical Corporation called the explosion ‰??an industrial accident‰?? in a currently offline Petro plant that is undergoing maintenance.
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BEDFORD UTILITIES REPORTS NO HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES WERE RELEASED INTO THE STORMWATER SYSTEM
http://www.wbiw.com/2021/09/28/bedford-utilities-reports-no-hazardous-substances-were-released-into-the-stormwater-system/
Tags: us_IN, public, release, response, dye, illegal, plastics
BEDFORD ‰?? Local and state officials continue to investigate a report of the illegal dumping of chemicals at a local business in the 2700 block of John Williams Boulevard. The incident happened on Monday, September 20th at 10:37 a.m.
Bedford Utilities notified the Bedford Fire Department of a report of a possibly hazardous substance being released.
A chemical release at 2710 John Williams Blvd. did not leak into the stormwater drains
‰??There was no hazardous substances released into the stormwater system the day of the spill. We used a dye to track the spill, due to it was raining the day of the spill. None of the contents entered into the stormwater drains,‰?? said Misty Adams Bedford Utilities Director.
According to Adams, two 55-gallon drums of polymers were spilled. The exact quantity of the material in each barrel was unknown. Adams could not be specific on the name of the chemical that was spilled.
Bedford Fire Department responded and used 5 bags of oil dry to absorb the chemical and used diking to prevent the spill from entering into the stormwater system.
---------------------------------------------
AN UNEXPECTED INCIDENT DURING THE MANUFACTURE OF O-(DIPHENYLPHOSPHINYL)HYDROXYLAMINE
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.oprd.1c00207
Tags: Canada, laboratory, discovery, environmental, other_chemical
Scaling up processes to the manufacturing setting demands vigilance, even with controls implemented to mitigate potential thermal hazards. This was highlighted when an unexpected thermal decomposition of O-(diphenylphosphinyl)hydroxylamine (DPPH) occurred during its isolation on scale using an agitated pressure filter/dryer. The decomposition propagated outside of the confines of the filter and glovebox used for discharging, resulting in the further decomposition of previously discharged DPPH contained in a bag below the glovebox. The investigation of the incident confirmed that after initiation, the thermal decomposition of DPPH could propagate through the manufacturing equipment. Although the cause of the initial decomposition could not be definitively ascribed, it was most likely the result of an electrostatic discharge during heel removal from the filter.
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CHEMICAL SAFETY BOARD FINALIZES TWO FATAL ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS
https://cen.acs.org/safety/industrial-safety/Chemical-Safety-Board-finalizes-two/99/web/2021/09
Tags: us_IL, industrial, follow-up, environmental, flammables, hydrogen, silane
The US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board on Sept. 24 approved two final reports on accidents that killed six workers. The reports were critical of AB Specialty Silicones of Waukegan, Illinois, where four workers were killed May 3, 2019, and an Evergreen Packaging paper mill in Canton, North Carolina, where two workers died Sept. 21, 2020.
The silicones plant was making a silicon hydride emulsion when a flammable vapor cloud developed and ignited, causing an explosion and fire. In addition to the deaths, a fifth employee was seriously injured. The CSB found that workers inadvertently mixed several incompatible chemical compounds that were stored near each other in nearly identical drums, generating hydrogen gas that ignited.
The facility lacked an adequate ventilation system and a working alarm system, the CSB noted.
At the meeting announcing the reports, CSB chairperson Katherine Lemos said that reactive chemicals, such as those used by AB Specialty Silicones, are regulated by neither the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration nor the Environmental Protection Agency. For more than 20 years, she stressed, the CSB has urged the agencies to regulate such chemicals.
At the paper mill, an electric heat gun fell into and ignited a bucket of flammable resin during a scheduled maintenance operation. The heat gun was not permitted in the work area but workers were using it to speed up their cleanup and maintenance operation. Such hot work was not allowed in the confined space area, and the workers lacked a fire extinguisher.
---------------------------------------------
AFTER HURRICANE IDA, OIL INFRASTRUCTURE SPRINGS DOZENS OF LEAKS
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/09/26/climate/ida-oil-spills.html?referringSource=articleShare
Tags: us_LA, public, release, response, oils
When Hurricane Ida barreled into the Louisiana coast with near 150 mile-per-hour winds on Aug. 30, it left a trail of destruction. The storm also triggered the most oil spills detected from space after a weather event in the Gulf of Mexico since the federal government started using satellites to track spills and leaks a decade ago.
NOAA classifies most of what is presented here as ‰??possible oil.‰??
In the two weeks after Ida, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a total of 55 spill reports, including a spill near a fragile nature reserve. It underscores the frailty of the region‰??s offshore oil and gas infrastructure to intensifying storms fueled by climate change.
‰??That‰??s unprecedented, based on our 10 year record,‰?? said Ellen Ramirez, who oversees NOAA‰??s round-the-clock satellite detection of marine pollution, including oil spills. ‰??Ida has had the most significant impact to offshore drilling‰?? since the program began, she said.
---------------------------------------------
PEOPLE HOSPITALISED AFTER EXPOSURE TO MYSTERY SUBSTANCE AT A LONG JETTY PHARMACY
https://www.triplem.com.au/story/people-hospitalised-after-exposure-to-mystery-substance-at-a-long-jetty-pharmacy-187266
Tags: Australia, public, release, injury, unknown_chemical
Seven people are recovering after potentially being poisoned at a Long Jetty Pharmacy.
Staff and customers were overcome by fumes at the pharmacy in a dramatic incident on Monday afternoon.
People hospitalised after exposure to mystery substance at a Long Jetty pharmacy
Paramedics, police, and HAZMAT crews were called to the scene to investigate the incident. Four staff, two customers, and a delivery truck driver were treated at the scene.
Several people were taken to Gosford Hospital where they were treated with dizziness and high blood pressure.
It is not yet clear what the staff and patients were exposed to, HAZMAT crews and police are still investigating.
However, police have ruled out initial speculation that the exposure came from a mystery package.
---------------------------------------------
BRIAR CHEMICALS FINED å£1M FOLLOWING FATAL ACCIDENT
https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/briar-chemicals-fined-1m-following-fatal-accident/
Tags: United_Kingdom, industrial, explosion, death, toluene
BRIAR Chemicals has been fined å£1m (US$1.4m) following the death of a contractor at its site in Norwich, UK, in 2018.
On 27 July 2018, maintenance contractor Rob Cranston was killed when an explosion occurred at the Briar Chemicals site. Cranston was working alongside his son, Owen, to perform repair work as part of planned maintenance on a mixing vessel. A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that toluene residue had been left inside the vessel, and that a welding torch or grinder likely ignited the toluene vapour.
The investigation also found that two valves above the vessel in the supply pipe were leaking toluene. When the vessel was shutdown at the beginning of June 2018, operatives transferred toluene from one tank to another via the supply pipe, which allowed toluene to leak into the vessel. The vessel was assumed to be empty and clean prior to the maintenance works beginning.
The HSE found that Briar Chemicals failed to take all necessary measures to prevent the explosion.
---------------------------------------------
‰??RUSTY COLORED‰?? DISCHARGE FROM US STEEL SHUTS DOWN BEACHES AT INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK
https://news.wttw.com/2021/09/27/rusty-colored-discharge-us-steel-shuts-down-beaches-indiana-dunes-national-park
Tags: us_IN, industrial, release, response, unknown_chemical
Officials from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management are investigating a ‰??rusty colored liquid‰?? discharged from the U.S. Steel plant in Portage, spotted Sunday evening in the Burns Waterway.
The discovery of the unknown substance prompted the National Park Service to temporarily close the waters off all beaches at Indiana Dunes National Park.
So far, no dead fish or wildlife have been observed by staff from the Department of Environmental Management, according to spokesman Ryan Clem.
Samples taken from the scene are still being analyzed, he said.
U. S. Steel has shut down operations as a precaution, according to a statement emailed to WTTW News from a spokeswoman.
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TABOR ACADEMY STUDENTS EVACUATED DUE TO CHEMICAL SPILL
https://wbsm.com/tabor-academy-students-evacuated-chemical-spill/
Tags: laboratory, release, response, ammonia
MARION ‰?? A chemical spill at an independent school in Marion saw students and staff evacuated for nearly three hours this morning as hazmat crews cleaned up.
Marion Fire Chief Brian Jackvony said that crews were called out to Tabor Academy at around 9:30 this morning for reports of a chemical smell that turned out to be ammonia.
School staff had already pulled alarms and evacuated students and employees from the large Stroud Academic Center on Spring Street when emergency services arrived to assess the scene.
Jackvony said staff directed two firefighters to a chemical processing room on the first floor between two chemistry labs, where they had smelled ammonia.
The firefighters immediately got readings on their meters indicating the presence of the chemical, which is an irritant and a corrosive, the fire chief said.
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CHEMICAL SPILL BLOCKS HIGHWAY THROUGH KAIMAI RANGES
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/chemical-spill-blocks-highway-through-kaimai-ranges
Tags: New_Zealand, transportation, release, response, unknown_chemical
Containers carrying the chemical fell from a truck, blocking the westbound route approximately 500 metres south of the summit, police confirmed.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand say they have three fire trucks as well as two water trucks working to clean up the spill with the help of environment experts.
It's not yet known when the highway will reopen with motorists asked to find alternative routes.
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CHEMICAL LEAK IN BALTIMORE COUNTY CONTAINED: FIRE OFFICIALS
https://patch.com/maryland/perryhall/chemical-leak-baltimore-county-contained-fire-officials
Tags: us_MD, public, release, response, unknown_chemical
BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD ‰?? A chemical leak in eastern Baltimore County has been contained, fire officials said Monday night.
Crews were called around 5 p.m. to a chemical leak in the 8200 block of Eastern Avenue, according to the Baltimore County Fire Department.
Nobody was injured, officials said.
By 6:58 p.m., the fire department reported the leak had been contained.
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PEOPLE IN HOSPITAL AFTER ATTENDING PHARMACY ON NSW CENTRAL COAST
https://www.9news.com.au/national/nsw-central-coast-pharmacy-send-people-to-hospital/b61cb136-fea6-487f-a4a0-513e690bcb3c
Tags: Australia, public, release, injury, unknown_chemical
People at a New South Wales Central Coast pharmacy have been taken to hospital after being overcome by fumes, NSW Ambulance has said.
Just after 4.30pm, paramedics attended Long Jetty Pharmacy at Long Jetty.
Two patients were treated for dizziness and high blood pressure, and were transported to Gosford Hospital in a stable condition.
Several people who attended a NSW pharmacy have been hospitalised. (9News)
READ MORE: All the travel advice you need to plan your NSW summer holiday
Another three patients who had visited the business had also been taken to hospital, including two by ambulance.
"There's always a risk with any potential chemical exposure but paramedics worked hand in hand with Fire Rescue NSW's HAZMAT unit and police to ensure all patients were removed from the building, assessed and treated if needed," NSW Ambulance Superintendent Greg Marshall said.
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HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL LEAK CONTAINED AFTER TRAIN DERAILMENT IN SMITHVILLE
https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/smithville-train-derailment/269-c9e6e6c1-4639-4557-9783-e4c932b05531
Tags: us_TX, transportation, release, response, hydrochloric_acid
SMITHVILLE, Texas ‰?? Tanker cars leaked hydrochloric acid after a Union Pacific train carrying hazardous cargo derailed in Smithville on Sunday morning.
The incident happened around 5 a.m. at State Highway 95 and Martin Luther King Drive, the City of Smithville said. No one was injured.
The tanker cars were empty, but some were leaking residual acid. Around seven cars were involved in the derailment, Union Pacific said.
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FIRE CREWS CALLED TO CHEMICAL REACTION IN WESTON-SUPER-MARE HOME
https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/fire-crews-called-chemical-reaction-5971863
Tags: United_Kingdom, public, release, injury, cleaners
A dangerous mixture of household cleaning products that caused an inadvertent chemical reaction resulted in the fire services attending a home in Weston-super Mare to dispose of the solution.
This is not the first time the Avon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service have been called out to deal with this type of situation.
Previously the emergency service visited a property where a woman mixed white wine vinegar and bleach when attempting to clean a shower. The combination released a harmful gas.
Read more: Police appealing for help finding missing Andrew, 15, who may be in Bristol or Weston-super-Mare
The woman was taken to hospital and crews from Temple, Patchway and Avonmouth fire station were all called to the incident after the mixture released a harmful gas.
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MAJOR 'CHEMICAL LEAK' FORCES FULL EVACUATION AT HOTEL AS 'SMELL SPREADS THROUGH VENUE'
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/major-chemical-leak-forces-full-25078087
Tags: United_Kingdom, public, release, response, unknown_chemical
Fire crews and emergency services have rushed to a town hotel and police have locked locked down the area after a chemical leak in a swimming pool.
Officers have taped off the entrance to the McDonald Inchyra Hotel and Spa in Grangemouth and the hotel is understood to have been evacuated.
Three fire engines, a support unit and an ambulance Specialist Operations Response Team are also on the scene.
The exact nature of the incident is not yet known but unconfirmed reports suggest there has been a significant chemical leak at the hotel's swimming pool.
It is understood the smell of chemicals quickly spread through the hotel's air conditioning unit as emergency services were alerted, Daily Record reports.
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