Date: Wed, 2 Dec 2009 14:35:50 -0800
Reply-To: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: Chuck Cooper <cooperc**At_Symbol_Here**PDX.EDU>
Subject: Re: 5 Chemical Safety News Stories from google
Comments: To: roberth_hill**At_Symbol_Here**mindspring.com
In-Reply-To: <380-220091232202422859**At_Symbol_Here**mindspring.com>

On Dec 2, 2009, at 12:24 PM, Robert Hill wrote:

> Very interesting about that potassium hydroxide, an acidic  
> compound.  Shows
> how misinformation is often found in early incident reports.
>
>
>> [Original Message]
>> From: List Moderator 
>> To: 
>> Date: 12/2/2009 8:59:57 AM
>> Subject: [DCHAS-L] 5 Chemical Safety News Stories from google
>>
>> Australia
>>
>> 
http://liverpool-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/chemical-catastrophe/

>>
>> Chemical catastrophe at Leppington
>> NEWSEMERGENCY SERVICES
>> 02 DEC 09 **At_Symbol_Here** 08:05AM BY TORIN CHEN
>>
>> Police and NSW fire brigade HAZMAT officers don protective clothing  

>> at
> the Leppington farm after the chemical incident yesterday. Picture:  

> ROBERT
> POZO -PO806531
>> A LEPPINGTON woman has died and her husband, son and ambulance  
>> officers
> have been hospitalised after being exposed to an unknown chemical.
>>
>> An ambulance was called to the Byron Rd property about 2.50am  
>> yesterday
> after the woman, 69, collapsed in the laundry.
>>
>> Her husband, 76, went to investigate after hearing a noise.
>>
>> The Ambulance Service of NSW said the woman was in cardiac arrest  
>> when
> paramedics arrived.
>>
>> Camden police=92s Det-Insp Paul Albury said paramedics were unable to
> revive the woman.
>>
>> =93Ambulance officers attempted to perform CPR but were unable to  
>> continue
> due to being overcome by an odour being emitted from the deceased  
> woman,=94
> he said.
>>
>> The fire brigade=92s hazmat team was called and the husband, son, and 
 
>> four
> ambulance officers were taken to Liverpool Hospital.
>>
>> An ambulance service spokesman said the group suffered headaches and
> nausea.
>>
>> Camden police set up a crime scene at the property, which will  
>> remain in
> place until hazmat gives the all clear.
>>
>> A substance analysis is being carried out to identify the chemical  

>> but it
> could take several days.
>>
>> A Liverpool Hospital spokeswoman said the four paramedics were  
>> discharged
> yesterday morning while the father and son remain in hospital.

This incident sounds similar to the 1994 "Toxic Lady" case in  
Riverside California:

http://tafkac.org/medical/toxic_lady_faq.html



Chuck Cooper
Environmental Health and Safety
Portland State University
503-725-4312
cooperc**At_Symbol_Here**pdx.edu

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