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From: Ralph Stuart <membership**At_Symbol_Here**DCHAS.ORG>
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Chemical Safety headlines (22 articles)
Date: Fri, 21 Jan 2022 06:23:54 -0500
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Message-ID: 74EB9CA4-E17D-43C9-B321-E7E96BCD6389**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org
Chemical Safety Headlines From Google
Friday, January 21, 2022 at 6:23:31 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 (22 articles)
AMMONIA LEAK AT PILGRIM'S PRIDE RESULTS IN INJURIES
Tags: us_GA, industrial, release, injury, ammonia
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO CHEMICALS OR TOXIC MATERIAL FROM AN INDUSTRIAL EXPLOSION
Tags: us_TX, public, release, environmental, unknown_chemical
SYCAMORE MINERAL SPRINGS DAMAGED BY FIRE, CHEMICAL LEAK
Tags: us_CA, public, fire, response, pool_chemicals
POLICE BULLETIN ABOUT MASKS DOUSED WITH CHEMICALS ISN'T REAL
Tags: us_NY, public, discovery, environmental
HOW RISK-INFORMED DECISIONS CAN FAIL: LESSONS FROM A NUCLEAR POWER PLANT INCIDENT
Tags: us_OH, industrial, follow-up, environmental, radiation
ROCKET EXPLODES AT MOJAVE AIR AND SPACE PORT
Tags: us_CA, industrial, explosion, response, unknown_chemical
TRIALS FOR NEW HAZMAT FUNCTION OF ROBOTIC DOG ROVER-X TO BE COMPLETED BY MID-YEAR
Tags: Singapore, public, discovery, environmental
MASSIVE EXPLOSION IN TURKEY SHUTS DOWN KEY IRAQI OIL PIPELINE (+VIDEO)
Tags: Turkey, transportation, explosion, response, petroleum
BOSTON'S HIT MUSIC STATION
Tags: us_NC, transportation, release, injury, ammonia
INSURER OF OPTIMA CHEMICAL FACILITY IN BELLE SUES CLEARON FOR ALLEGED NEGLIGENCE LEADING UP TO 2020 FATAL EXPLOSION
Tags: us_GA, industrial, follow-up, death, water_treatment
HAZMAT SPILL IN LITHIA SPRINGS SHUTS DOWN BUSY ROAD
Tags: us_GA, transportation, release, response, chlorobenzotrifluoride
WAREHOUSE FIRE IN THE CENTRAL NORTHWEST AREA ' CITY OF HOUSTON
Tags: us_TX, laboratory, fire, response, radiation
ZERO POLLUTION IN DRINKING WATER: ENDOCRINE DISRUPTING CHEMICALS ON NEW WATCH LIST OF POLLUTANTS
Tags: Europe, public, discovery, environmental, pharmaceutical
RISING OZONE POLLUTION THREATENS EAST ASIA'S CEREAL CROPS
Tags: Japan, industrial, discovery, environmental, ozone
COMMON METHOD FAILS TO DETECT ASBESTOS IN COSMETICS
Tags: public, discovery, environmental, asbestos
SUNSHINE NEWSLETTER
Tags: Europe, public, discovery, environmental
TRAIN HITS SEMI TRAILER IN EL
Tags: us_OH, transportation, release, response, unknown_chemical
FAMILY RESPONDS TO FATAL RAILCAR EXPLOSION SENTENCING
Tags: us_NE, public, follow-up, death, unknown_chemical
OSHA FINES HOLIAN INSULATION FOR CAUSING CHEMTOOL FIRE
Tags: us_IL, industrial, follow-up, environmental, other_chemical
HENRICO FIRE: UKROP'S WORKERS BURNED IN THE FACE DURING FLASH FIRE
Tags: us_VA, industrial, fire, injury, flammables
CRACKER BARREL ORDERED TO PAY $9.4M TO MAN SERVED CHEMICAL INSTEAD OF WATER
Tags: us_TN, public, follow-up, injury, toxics
VINEYARD IN CALIFORNIA REACHES SETTLEMENT WITH EPA FOR ALLEGED CLEAN AIR ACT CHEMICAL SAFETY REQUIREMENT VIOLATIONS
Tags: us_CA, public, follow-up, environmental, ammonia
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AMMONIA LEAK AT PILGRIM'S PRIDE RESULTS IN INJURIES
https://patch.com/georgia/canton-ga/ammonia-leak-pilgrim-s-pride-results-injuries
Tags: us_GA, industrial, release, injury, ammonia
CANTON, GA ' Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services and Cherokee County Sheriff's Office responded to a Hazmat incident at Pilgrim's Pride processing plant, 654 Univeter Road in Canton, just after 8 p.m. on Wednesday.
Cherokee County firefighters and members of the Cherokee County Haz-Mat Team arrived on scene to find a broken ammonia pipe. A little more than 40 employees ran outside to the back of the building where the leak happened until help arrived. Three of the employees were taken to hospitals to be evaluated for mild to severe injuries.
The northbound lanes of I-575 were closed between exit 11 at Sixes Road and exit 16 at Hickory Flat Road due to the hazmat situation. Univeter Road from Highway 5 to Chattin Drive was also shut down. No homes or other businesses' other than Pilgrim's Pride were evacuated.
Firefighters and hazmat members were able to contain the leak. Cherokee County 911 received calls from residents and businesses concerned about the smell of ammonia in the area, however, no one was transported to the hospital. Firefighters began ventilating the area at 10 p.m. on Wednesday.
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WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO CHEMICALS OR TOXIC MATERIAL FROM AN INDUSTRIAL EXPLOSION
https://www.dallasnews.com/sponsored/2022/01/20/what-to-do-if-you-have-been-exposed-to-chemicals-or-toxic-material-from-an-industrial-explosion/
Tags: us_TX, public, release, environmental, unknown_chemical
There is no question that industrial explosions are catastrophic; still, the far-reaching effects of such an event are often underestimated. When an industrial explosion occurs, toxic material and chemicals may escape from the site, affecting workers and residents who were not in the immediate vicinity of the blast.
If you believe you have been exposed to chemicals or toxic materials as a result of an industrial accident or explosion ' whether you were on the job or just happen to live near the site where the incident occurred ' it is essential that you seek immediate medical attention.
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SYCAMORE MINERAL SPRINGS DAMAGED BY FIRE, CHEMICAL LEAK
https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/article257546503.html
Tags: us_CA, public, fire, response, pool_chemicals
A small fire broke out early Thursday morning at Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa, destroying a pool shed and causing chemicals to leak.
A caller reported the fire just after 12:10 a.m. It appeared to have started in the storage shed at the resort on Avila Beach Drive.
Firefighters from Cal Fire responded to the scene and quickly called out San Luis Obispo County's hazardous incident response team. The team consists of firefighters and officials from around the county who are equipped to handle potentially dangerous chemical fires.
A fire destroyed a storage shed at Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa early Thursday morning, causing damage to the pool area and a hazardous chemical leak.
Although the fire was quickly extinguished, common pool cleaning chemicals stored nearby were affected by the heat and leaked onto the asphalt surrounding the shed, according to Peter Hague, a San Luis Obispo County environmental health supervisor.
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POLICE BULLETIN ABOUT MASKS DOUSED WITH CHEMICALS ISN'T REAL
https://www.wqad.com/article/news/verify/national-verify/masks-doused-chemicals-police-bulletin-fake/536-ab8691da-c21e-41f6-9135-8a505fa7c230
Tags: us_NY, public, discovery, environmental
A post making the rounds on social media and text message chains claims that people pretending to work for local governments are fitting people for free masks doused with chemicals and robbing them once they are unconscious. The claim was first shared almost two years ago but is recirculating as the Biden administration plans to give away 400 million free N95 masks to U.S. residents.
There are several versions of the post, but most are identified as a 'police bulletin' with the following message:
'People are going door to door handing out masks, they say it's a new initiative from local government. They will always ask you to please put it on to see if it fits you. It has been doused with chemicals which knock you out cold and once you're knocked out they proceed to rob you. Please do not accept masks from strangers. Remember, we are living in critical times and people are desperate to take advantage with the aim of making money. Crime rate has skyrocketed, so please be cautious and play safe!'
Some of the posts claim they are from a specific police department, such as the New York Police Department here or the Los Angeles Police Department here, while others are vague and do not specify a location.
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HOW RISK-INFORMED DECISIONS CAN FAIL: LESSONS FROM A NUCLEAR POWER PLANT INCIDENT
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.chas.1c00039
Tags: us_OH, industrial, follow-up, environmental, radiation
In 2002, a large hole was discovered in the reactor vessel head of the Davis-Besse plant located in Ohio, US. Had the reactor pressure vessel ruptured, a major public safety event would have occurred. Further investigations revealed that, by the end of 2001, a shutdown order was drafted by the Regulatory Agency. Nonetheless, through a risk-informed decision-making approach, the Agency changed the decision related to the issuance of the order. Operations were then allowed to continue for six more weeks, despite the high likelihood that the reactor was operating with leaking cracks in the nozzles located at the reactor head. The reactor vessel head wastage, which had evolved unnoticed for years, was primarily due to borated water that leaked through a nozzle crack onto the carbon steel portion of the reactor head, resulting in boric acid corrosion. This paper aims to explore the Agency's decision-making to identify factors that might have contributed to the flawed decision. !
A better comprehension on the organizational factors and social processes that can adversely affect risk-informed decisions is crucial to enhance operational safety in high hazard industries. The paper concludes by suggesting possible ways to guard against the identified factors.
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ROCKET EXPLODES AT MOJAVE AIR AND SPACE PORT
https://www.turnto23.com/news/local-news/rocket-explodes-at-mojave-air-and-space-port-no-injuries-reported
Tags: us_CA, industrial, explosion, response, unknown_chemical
MOJAVE, Calif. (KERO) ' A rocket explosion at the Mojave Air and Space Port on Wednesday afternoon sent a column of smoke into the air.
According to the Kern County Fire Department, a hazmat crew was sent to the location along with fire crews due to potentially hazardous materials on the site.
There were no injuries as a result of the explosion.
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TRIALS FOR NEW HAZMAT FUNCTION OF ROBOTIC DOG ROVER-X TO BE COMPLETED BY MID-YEAR
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/trials-for-new-hazmat-function-of-robotic-dog-rover-x-to-be-completed-by-mid-year
Tags: Singapore, public, discovery, environmental
SINGAPORE - Rover-X, which began as a robotic dog for search and rescue missions, is now being "trained" to handle situations involving hazardous materials too, with trials set to be completed by mid-year.
When there is a gas leak in a chemical plant, for example, it can detect the danger with its gas sensor.
Its response to a simulated gas leak was showcased in a media preview by the Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX), Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and the police at the Home Team Tactical Centre in Mandai on Thursday (Jan 20).
---------------------------------------------
MASSIVE EXPLOSION IN TURKEY SHUTS DOWN KEY IRAQI OIL PIPELINE (+VIDEO)
https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2022/01/19/2647078/massive-explosion-in-turkey-shuts-down-key-iraqi-oil-pipeline-video
Tags: Turkey, transportation, explosion, response, petroleum
TEHRAN (Tasnim) ' A Turkish state-run petroleum firm has cut off the flow of oil from the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline following a mysterious explosion and the resulting blaze, with the aftermath reportedly caught in images circulating online.
The blast late Tuesday near the town of Pazarcik in Kahramanmaras province caused a huge fire that forced authorities to also shut down a highway, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported. No one was hurt in the explosion.
The pipeline carries oil from the Kirkuk oil fields in northern Iraq to the Turkish port of Ceyhan.
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BOSTON'S HIT MUSIC STATION
https://www.iheart.com/content/2022-01-19-chemical-spill-shuts-down-major-highways-around-charlotte/
Tags: us_NC, transportation, release, injury, ammonia
A chemical spill overnight briefly shut down a couple major highways around Charlotte Wednesday (January 19) morning.
According to WSOC, a tanker truck carrying ammonia shut down highways in Concord around 3:30 a.m. after the truck began leaking, spilling the chemical onto the roadways. Highway 601 was closed between Cold Springs Road South and Parks Lafferty Road near Highway 200. Highway 200 was also closed to Ray Linker Road.
Cabarrus County deputies confirmed that hazmat crews responded to the leak but added that there were no evacuations as a result. During the course of the investigation, one deputy was taken to a hospital as a precaution. As of 12 p.m. Wednesday, it is unclear how the leak began or if there will be any charges relating to the incident, the news outlet reports.
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INSURER OF OPTIMA CHEMICAL FACILITY IN BELLE SUES CLEARON FOR ALLEGED NEGLIGENCE LEADING UP TO 2020 FATAL EXPLOSION
https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/energy_and_environment/insurer-of-optima-chemical-facility-in-belle-sues-clearon-for-alleged-negligence-leading-up-to/article_e54ea4d1-9f28-55bc-9843-d05e97372909.html
Tags: us_GA, industrial, follow-up, death, water_treatment
The insurer of a company whose chemical facility was the site of a fatal explosion in Belle in December 2020 has sued the maker of a chemical involved in the explosion in federal court.
New York-based Starr Technical Risks Agency, Inc., insurer of Douglas, Georgia-based Optima Chemical Company, LLC, filed the lawsuit Tuesday against South Charleston-based Clearon Corp. The suit alleges the company was negligent in supplying the chemical ' a chlorinated dry bleach product ' as well as developing protocols for a chemical dry-out process, instructing Optima Chemical during the process and supervising the dry-out.
The federal Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board has said Optima was performing a process to remove water from the chemical as part of a trial batch process operation for Clearon at Optima's chemical facility.
Clearon is a water treatment chemical manufacturer and distributor.
The explosion federal regulators say occurred amid that process in an industrial dryer unit at the facility at 901 West Dupont Ave. on the Chemours site on the night of Dec. 8, 2020, killed one chemical plant worker and injured two others.
---------------------------------------------
HAZMAT SPILL IN LITHIA SPRINGS SHUTS DOWN BUSY ROAD
https://www.ajc.com/news/hazmat-spill-in-lithia-springs-shuts-down-busy-road/BJCLVSDDEBB6XJNEVMAIVHOQ7Y/
Tags: us_GA, transportation, release, response, chlorobenzotrifluoride
An overturned truck leaked several gallons of hazardous material onto a Lithia Springs road Wednesday afternoon, officials said.
An emergency response team from the Douglas County Fire/EMS Department responded to the hazmat incident, which began shortly after 2 p.m. along Riverside Parkway near North River Road, according to Douglas County spokesman Rick Martin.
A tractor-trailer tipped on its side and chlorobenzotrifluoride spilled from the truck into a ditch, Martin said.
No injuries were reported, and no homes or businesses had to be evacuated.
The chemical spill forced authorities to close Riverside Parkway in both directions. Cleanup of the 55-gallon barrel containers lasted until just after 8:45 Wednesday night, when the roadway was reopened, according to authorities
---------------------------------------------
WAREHOUSE FIRE IN THE CENTRAL NORTHWEST AREA ' CITY OF HOUSTON
https://cityofhouston.news/warehouse-fire-in-the-central-northwest-area/
Tags: us_TX, laboratory, fire, response, radiation
WHAT: Warehouse Fire
WHEN: January 12, 2022 at 6:07 a.m.
WHERE: 10810 Northwest Freeway, 77092
INJURIES: No reported injuries.
PROPERTY SAVED: $230 thousand in estimated property saved.
DAMAGE: $70 thousand in estimated damage.
CAUSE: Failure of equipment or heat source.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Firefighters arrived on scene within seven minutes to find heavy smoke coming form a medium sized warehouse. They made an offensive attack and determined the warehouse contained a metal x-ray laboratory with radioactive material in a portion of the building. Although the fire appeared to be on the opposite side of the material and the material was shielding and encased in concrete, HFD Hazmat was requested and firefighters were ordered to stay away from the area of the building. Readings were within normal ranges and HFD Hazmat determined the company was in compliance. A primary search was conducted, and power was turned off to the building. Crews made a quick stop of the fire and ventilated the building. It was determined the fire started in the back of a pickup used for a mobile x-ray. The fire caught the pickup on fire and damaged the warehouse. Firefighters from Stations 5, 13, 31, 62, 4, 50, 57 and Hazmat 66 responded to this incident.
POSTED IN: INCIDENT UPDATES - HFD FILED UNDER: HFD - HOUSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT
---------------------------------------------
ZERO POLLUTION IN DRINKING WATER: ENDOCRINE DISRUPTING CHEMICALS ON NEW WATCH LIST OF POLLUTANTS
https://ec.europa.eu/environment/news/zero-pollution-drinking-water-endocrine-disrupting-chemicals-new-watch-list-pollutants-2022-01-19_en
Tags: Europe, public, discovery, environmental, pharmaceutical
Following a decision by the Commission today, drinking water across the EU will have to be monitored more closely for the potential presence of two endocrine disrupting compounds (beta-estradiol and nonylphenol) throughout the whole water supply chain. As required by EU rules on drinking water in force since last year, the Commission established today a first 'watch list' of emerging compounds to monitor and address if needed.
Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevi€?ius said:
There can be no compromise on the quality standards for our tap water. Today we are giving effect to new rules that not only prevent well-known pollutants but also give us tools to address emerging concerns. We start with two substances that are endocrine disruptors affecting our health, the environment and biodiversity.
Now that the watch list is established, Member States have until 12 January 2023 to put in place monitoring requirements throughout the drinking water supply chain, as well as take measures if guidance values are exceeded. Over time, if new substances emerge that are likely to be present in drinking water and could pose a potential health risk'such as endocrine disruptors, pharmaceuticals or microplastics'the Commission will add them to the list. This new mechanism will contribute to achieving the objectives of the EU Chemicals StrategySearch for available translations of the preceding link‰?¢‰?¢‰?¢ and of the Zero Pollution Action PlanSearch for available translations of the preceding link‰?¢‰?¢‰?¢ for a toxic-free environment.
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RISING OZONE POLLUTION THREATENS EAST ASIA'S CEREAL CROPS
https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/rising-ozone-pollution-threatens-east-asias-cereal-crops/4015087.article
Tags: Japan, industrial, discovery, environmental, ozone
Ozone pollution is damaging wheat, rice and maize crops across China, South Korea and Japan to the tune of $63 billion (å£46 billion) each year. The study by an international team of researchers highlights the need to mitigate increasing ground-level ozone across east Asia to safeguard food production in one of the largest bread baskets and rice bowls in the world.
Ground-level ozone is one of the most common air pollutants. It's formed when other pollutants in the atmosphere, including nitrogen oxides from fuel combustion and volatile organic compounds from paint and solvent manufacturing, react with sunlight.
Scientists have long known ozone can reduce plants' growth and ability to survive by entering leaf openings and oxidising tissues. Over the past two decades, ozone modelling data have provided rough estimates of global crop losses due to ozone, which although uncertain, have raised food security concerns, particularly in Asia where ozone levels are rising.
Now, Kazuhiko Kobayashi at the University of Tokyo and his colleagues have combined observations and experimental work ' as opposed to models ' and obtained the most accurate estimates to date for east Asia. 'The results are indeed worrisome for food production in east Asia,' says Kobayashi.
The team's analysis suggests that a third of wheat crops in China between 2017 and 2019 were lost due to ozone damage, and 23% and 9% of rice and maize, respectively. South Korea's wheat yields suffered losses of 28% and rice 11%, while Japan's wheat losses were 16% and 5% for rice.
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COMMON METHOD FAILS TO DETECT ASBESTOS IN COSMETICS
https://cen.acs.org/safety/consumer-safety/Common-method-fails-detect-asbestos/100/i3
Tags: public, discovery, environmental, asbestos
Cosmetics manufacturers often use an analytical method adopted by the industry in 1976 to determine whether talc-containing products are contaminated with the carcinogen asbestos. That method, however, doesn't always detect asbestos fibers that are present, according to a white paper released Jan. 13 by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Written by a federal interagency working group, the white paper recommends that cosmetics manufacturers go beyond the 1976 method'X-ray diffraction followed by polarized light microscopy. The group suggests using X-ray diffraction followed by polarized light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.
The FDA has been testing talc-containing cosmetics for asbestos for several years using the more extensive method. The agency became aware 'that methods employed by some industry members to test for asbestos in talc-containing cosmetic products may not always detect the presence of asbestos,' Susan Mayne, director of the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, says in a statement.
Talc is used in many cosmetics, including baby powder and blush, to prevent caking and absorb moisture. It is a naturally occurring mineral'hydrous magnesium silicate'mined from the earth. Asbestos is also a naturally occurring silicate mineral. Deposits of the two can be located near each other, and mining can yield talc contaminated with asbestos. Concerns about such contamination date to the 1970s.
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SUNSHINE NEWSLETTER
https://mailchi.mp/0c924c115c9b/sunshine-newsletter-january-2022?e=c8ff4a89e0
Tags: Europe, public, discovery, environmental
The safety regulations related to the MCNMs
One overarching aim of the SUNSHINE project is to address the regulatory relevance aspects by analysing the regulatory implications of MCNMs
[multicomponent (advanced) nanomaterials] and how these advanced nanomaterials are covered in the legislation.
To this end, the EU legislation related to nanomaterials and the evaluation of existing test guidelines and other standards documents (e.g., OECD, ISO, CEN) concerning the MCNMs information requirements is consulted.
By keeping track of all updates of the legislation, the publication of new guidance documents or the latest scientific literature defining or describing MCNMs, the SUNSHINE project partners carry out their activities in line with the European Green Deal actions [e.g., Circular Economy, Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS), Zero Pollution Action Plan].
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TRAIN HITS SEMI TRAILER IN EL
https://www.morningjournalnews.com/news/local-news/2022/01/train-hits-semi-trailer-in-el/
Tags: us_OH, transportation, release, response, unknown_chemical
EAST LIVERPOOL ' A semi trailer was demolished by a train near the Broadway Wharf in East Liverpool Tuesday, prompting a clean up by hazmat teams.
City Police Chief John Lane said no one was injured in the low speed collision that happened at about 2 p.m.
According to Fire Chief Bill Jones, the semi truck was crossing the tracks at the Broadway Wharf intersection near River Road when a southbound train struck the trailer just behind the double wheels. He estimates the train was traveling about 35 mph.
'He couldn't have hit it at a better spot,' Jones said, adding the impact severed the trailer about 10 feet behind the cab, destroying the trailer but leaving the truck's driver unharmed.
However, the destroyed trailer began spilling a chemical material used for making welding rods. Jones said the materials in the truck were a compound of five different products and considered hazardous to the environment.
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FAMILY RESPONDS TO FATAL RAILCAR EXPLOSION SENTENCING
https://www.ketv.com/article/family-responds-to-fatal-railcar-explosion-sentencing/38797022
Tags: us_NE, public, follow-up, death, unknown_chemical
Two Nebraska men will spend time in federal prison for their roles in the death of two of their employees. The case dates back to April 2015 when a railcar exploded at Nebraska Railcar Cleaning Services.
Two workers, 40-year-old Dallas Foulk and 44-year-old Adrian LaPour, died inside the train car.
Now, the two business owners are heading to prison for failing to protect those men and knowingly putting them in a dangerous situation.
The men's families have waited almost seven years for what they call accountability. But they said the sentences are not enough.
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OSHA FINES HOLIAN INSULATION FOR CAUSING CHEMTOOL FIRE
https://www.waow.com/news/top-stories/osha-fines-holian-insulation-for-causing-chemtool-fire/article_09d0255a-0850-53f0-96cb-e06c6d403ded.html
Tags: us_IL, industrial, follow-up, environmental, other_chemical
ROCKTON, Il. (WREX) ' Eight months after the largest chemical fire in Illinois' history, we're learning more about who is being held responsible for starting the fire.
Holian Insulation Company was fined $9557 by OSHA for not paying attention to hazards when operating a scissor lift on the day of the fire. OSHA describes the sequence of events as:
"On or about June 14, 2021, the employer did not ensure that adequate clearance was maintained between a scissor lift and overhead obstructions while operating a scissor lift between cooking kettles (reactors) R601 and R604. While operating the scissor lift, it struck a pressure tap on a hot oil return pipe for cooking kettle R604, resulting in an oil leak and subsequent fire."
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HENRICO FIRE: UKROP'S WORKERS BURNED IN THE FACE DURING FLASH FIRE
https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/henrico-county/henrico-fire-ukrops-workers-burned-in-the-face-during-flash-fire/
Tags: us_VA, industrial, fire, injury, flammables
HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) ' Two workers are recovering from burns to their faces following an incident involving a large oven at the Ukrop's Bakery, according to the Henrico County Fire Department.
The fire department was called to the Ukrop's location on Westmoreland Street just before 6 p.m. on Tuesday evening.
There first responders worked to transport the two employees to the hospital. Henrico Fire said the Ukrop's workers smelled gas coming from an industrial sized oven. This prompted the two people to open the oven's door to check on it. When they opened the door, there was a flash fire.
The Center for Chemical Process Safety defines flash fire as a fire that spreads rapidly through a diffuse fuel such as gas or the vapors of an ignitable liquid.
Both people were burned in the face.
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CRACKER BARREL ORDERED TO PAY $9.4M TO MAN SERVED CHEMICAL INSTEAD OF WATER
https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/590166-cracker-barrel-ordered-to-pay-94m-to-man-served-chemical
Tags: us_TN, public, follow-up, injury, toxics
Cracker Barrel was ordered to pay $9.4 million to a man who was served a toxic chemical instead of water in April 2014.
The jury came to a decision quickly on Jan. 10 after being sent to deliberate the civil damages that should be awarded to the man.
"The jury returned a verdict for compensatory damages of $4.3 million in just 30 minutes ' one of the fastest verdicts we have ever seen ' and awarded punitive damages of $5 million after only 10 minutes of additional deliberation," Thomas Greer, an attorney for William Cronnon, told CNN.
The attorney said the company knew right after the incident that Cronnon was served the chemical Eco-San, which is used to clean the soda machine. When the man who drank the chemical went to the hospital, Cracker Barrel sent the chemical's safety data sheet.
However, the company said in trial they did not know what chemical made the plaintiff sick. Since the incident, the plaintiff has developed 'regular cramping, bloating, diarrhea, and reflux pain after meals,' requiring costly medical treatment.
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VINEYARD IN CALIFORNIA REACHES SETTLEMENT WITH EPA FOR ALLEGED CLEAN AIR ACT CHEMICAL SAFETY REQUIREMENT VIOLATIONS
https://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=284052
Tags: us_CA, public, follow-up, environmental, ammonia
Last month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement for alleged violations of Clean Air Act chemical safety requirements with a corporation based in California that grows, packs, and ships grapes. The alleged violations pertain to the facility's anhydrous ammonia refrigeration system that is used for grape packing and storage. Under the terms of the consent agreement and final order with EPA, the company will pay over $188,000 in civil penalties and make significant safety improvements to the facility to ensure protection of the public and first responders from dangerous chemicals.
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