From: "Secretary, ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety" <secretary**At_Symbol_Here**DCHAS.ORG>
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Chemical Safety headlines from Google (15 articles)
Date: January 27, 2012 7:42:07 AM EST
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
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Chemical Safety Headlines From Google
Friday, January 27, 2012 7:41:47 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 (15 articles)

CHEMICAL TURNS RIVER PURPLE, NO HARM DONE TO DRINKING WATER
Tags: us_PA, industrial, release, environmental, water_treatment

HAZMAT CALLED AFTER CLEANING SOLUTION DUMPED
Tags: us_OH, public, discovery, response, waste

GOVERNOR SCOTT PROCLAIMS JAN. 22 - 28, 2012 AS HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AWARENESS WEEK IN FLORIDA
Tags: us_FL, public, follow-up, environmental

EYES BURNING, DCPS STUDENTS EVACUATED
Tags: us_DC, education, release, injury, unknown_chemical

RUMOR CAUSES SCARE AT GRAND RIDGE SCHOOL
Tags: us_FL, transportation, follow-up, response, hvac_chemicals

CLEANUP OF OIL SPILL FROM OLD TRANSFORMER UNDER WAY; MARSHALL ROAD TO REMAIN CLOSED FRIDAY
Tags: us_MI, transportation, release, environmental, oils, toxics

FIRE HITS DRY CLEANING FACTORY IN BASINGSTOKE
Tags: United_Kingdom, industrial, fire, response, pce

HAZMAT TEAM CALLED IN AFTER VAN EXPLODES NEAR YONGE AND YORK MILLS
Tags: Canada, transportation, explosion, response, isocyanate

LEAKY SEMI-TRUCK CAUSES HAZMAT SITUATION
Tags: us_CO, transportation, release, response, unknown_chemical

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS EVACUATION: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS BUILDING EVACUATED AFTER CHEMICAL LEAK
Tags: us_CA, public, release, response, unknown_chemical

RAINWATERS OVERFLOW CHEMICAL CONTAINMENT PONDS IN WAXAHACHIE
Tags: us_TX, public, follow-up, environmental, runoff

THE DAILY TAR HEEL :: UNC LABORATORIES ENCOURAGE SAFETY PROCEDURES
Tags: us_NC, follow-up, response, laboratory

FAMILY OF FOUR TREATED FOR CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING
Tags: us_OK, public, release, injury, carbon_monoxide

HAZARDOUS DRUMS ON BEACHES
Tags: Australia, public, discovery, response, other_chemical

LIVE, LOCAL, LATE BREAKING NEWS, WEATHER, AND SPORTS
Tags: us_GA, transportation, release, injury, unknown_chemical, wastes


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CHEMICAL TURNS RIVER PURPLE, NO HARM DONE TO DRINKING WATER
http://www.yourfoxchapel.com/node/6571
Tags: us_PA, industrial, release, environmental, water_treatment

The Allegheny River flowed liked wine last week near Sharpsburg when the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority released a harmless chemical that turned the water purple.

As expected, phone calls poured in about the mysterious-colored water, according to Sharpsburg Councilman Tony Sacco.

The local fire department, the state Department of Environmental Protection and the Allegheny County Health Department responded.

"I knew it wasn't anything the borough did wrong because we don't have the capacity to dump those kind of chemicals," Sacco said.
The borough has it's own water supply system and treatment plant, drawing from wells near the river.

"Everybody was on the job immediately and found out where the source was," Sacco said.

It was the second day on the job for Rich Aluise, Sharpsburg's new water plant manager.

"I got the call from Councilman Lou DeLuca and all I could do was look upstream to the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority," he said.

And that has been an automatic reaction for Aluise, who worked at the Authority for 21 years.

Authority employees were washing out a bin, located about 1 mile north of Sharpsburg near Aspinwall, where Permanganate, a chemical routinely used to remove iron and manganese from drinking water, is stored.

The chemical ended up in the Allegheny because recent rain caused the sewer system to overflow into the river, said Stanley States, PWSA's director of water quality and production.

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HAZMAT CALLED AFTER CLEANING SOLUTION DUMPED
http://www.journal-news.com/news/crime/hazmat-called-after-cleaning-solution-dumped-1319102.html
Tags: us_OH, public, discovery, response, waste

WEST CHESTER TWP. Ñ An unknown substance found in a dumpster today has been identified as cleaning solution by the West Chester Twp. hazardous materials team.
Around 2:10 p.m., West Chester Twp. fire officials responded to 4758 Interstate Drive after an employee reported seeing someone dump a 55-gallon drum of liquid into a dumpster, according to Barb Wilson, township spokeswoman.
Wilson said as of 2:30 p.m. units have already cleared the scene after the fluid ended up being cleaning solution. The person that dumped the fluid was found and will properly dispose of the liquid.

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GOVERNOR SCOTT PROCLAIMS JAN. 22 - 28, 2012 AS HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AWARENESS WEEK IN FLORIDA
http://www.chipleypaper.com/news/governor-9231-tallahassee-hazardous.html
Tags: us_FL, public, follow-up, environmental

TALLAHASSEEÑGovernor Rick Scott has proclaimed Jan. 22 - 28, 2012 as "Hazardous Materials Awareness Week" in Florida. Joining Governor Scott in commemorating the educational week is the Florida Division of Emergency Management, in partnership with the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) for Hazardous Materials and the Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) across the state. This year's focus is on Mercury.

"Florida's economy and quality of life are directly impacted through the safe utilization of many chemicals," said Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Bryan W. Koon. "The understanding and awareness of Florida's safe history and use of these materials underscores the importance of this week. I encourage all Floridians to take time to learn about the uses of Mercury and other commonly used materials in their area to raise the level of awareness and preparedness for their families."

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EYES BURNING, DCPS STUDENTS EVACUATED
http://washingtonexaminer.com/blogs/dc/2012/01/eyes-burning-dcps-students-evacuated/2138366
Tags: us_DC, education, release, injury, unknown_chemical

UPDATED 1:45 p.m.: Students and teachers were evacuated from Stuart-Hobson Middle School Thurday afternoon when a fire was reported at the Northeast campus.

The "fire" turned out to be an issue with a fluorescent light ballast. But eight students and one teacher told emergency responders that their eyes were burning, irritated by the odor, said D.C. Fire & EMS spokesman Lon Walls.

HazMat teams searched the building, and the students and teacher were treated onsite after the 12:11 p.m. call; no one was transported to the hospital.

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RUMOR CAUSES SCARE AT GRAND RIDGE SCHOOL
http://www.wjhg.com/home/headlines/Train_Derailment_Rumor_Causes_Scare_in_Jackson_County_138165374.html
Tags: us_FL, transportation, follow-up, response, hvac_chemicals

Grand Ridge- The problem stemmed from a train derailment that happened earlier this month.

At least one of the cars contained a gas refrigerant called methyl chloride. The chemical can be harmful if someone were to breathe in a large amount of it.

Crews were scheduled to begin off-loading the gas from the derailed car at 5:00 p.m. Thursday, and then transfer it to another tanker,but somehow the message got distorted.

"The schools took their precautions, the next thing we know the rumor's all over Jackson County that we've had a hazmat incident in Grand Ridge. I've heard they're evacuating the town, we've had an explosion, they're evacuating the schools and parents are concerned, and these are how rumors get started," said Jackson County Emergency Management Director Rodney Andreasen.

Andreasen said crews were expected to begin the off-loading later Thursday night.

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CLEANUP OF OIL SPILL FROM OLD TRANSFORMER UNDER WAY; MARSHALL ROAD TO REMAIN CLOSED FRIDAY
http://www.annarbor.com/news/scio-firefighters-waiting-for-hazmat-tests-to-clean-up-oil-spill-on-marshall-road/
Tags: us_MI, transportation, release, environmental, oils, toxics

A section of Marshall Road, just west of Zeeb Road, in Scio Township will remain closed through Friday morning as an environmental cleanup company proceeds with the cleanup of an oil spill from an old transformer.
Firefighters and the county HAZMAT director were awaiting test results on the spilled oil Thursday evening before they could proceed with the cleanup. The fire department received the call around 4:20 p.m., and by 8 p.m. it was determined that the oil did not contain polychlorinated biphenyls, a highly toxic chemical compound.
....
Scio Township Fire Chief Carl Ferch said the about 6-foot tall, 4-foot wide and 3-foot deep old transformer was being transported on its side by a towing company. It had been picked up from a business near Huron River Drive and Zeeb Road.

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FIRE HITS DRY CLEANING FACTORY IN BASINGSTOKE
http://www.fia.uk.com/en/Information/Details/index.cfm/Fire-hits-dry-cleaning-factory-in-Basingstoke
Tags: United_Kingdom, industrial, fire, response, pce

A dry cleaning factory in Basingstoke has been damaged after a fire broke out on the premises yesterday (25thJanuary).

Fire crews were called to Johnsons Apparelmaster on the West Ham Industrial Estate at 10.30am to tackle a blaze which began in one of the industrial cleaning machines, reports the Basingstoke Gazette.

Sixteen firefighters attended the incident and had to wear special gas pipe suits to enter the building due to the presence of the potentially harmful perchloroethylene chemical.

Watch manager John Amos told The Gazette: "The fire itself was not particularly serious, but the problem is that the chemicals that they use in dry cleaning, when combined with fire, produce phosgene gas.

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HAZMAT TEAM CALLED IN AFTER VAN EXPLODES NEAR YONGE AND YORK MILLS
http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/01/25/van-explodes-near-yonge-and-york-mills/
Tags: Canada, transportation, explosion, response, isocyanate

Hazmat teams have been called to an insulation van fire near Yonge Street and York Mills Avenue after the truck exploded and was engulfed in flames shortly after 10 a.m. Wednesday morning.

The cube van contained spray-foam insulation, which contains the toxic chemical isocyanate, resulting in sewers being blocked off in the surrounding area. The fire quickly engulfed the truck, parked at 44 Mason Boulevard, after the explosion and reached up to forty feet high, according to Captain David Eckerman, a Toronto Fire Services (TFS) communications officer.

The fire spread to overhead power lines, and severed several of them, resulting in downed live wires, according to Capt. Eckerman. As a result, there are some homes in the neighbourhood without power.

The Ministry of Environment has been notified of the incident, and fire crews on the scene are taking precautions with the toxic cargo. The cause of the fire is currently unknown and no injuries have been reported.

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LEAKY SEMI-TRUCK CAUSES HAZMAT SITUATION
http://www.9news.com/news/article/244827/222/Leaky-semi-truck-causes-HAZMAT-situation
Tags: us_CO, transportation, release, response, unknown_chemical

ARVADA - A semi-truck carrying hazardous materials spilled in the 12100 block of West 44th Avenue in Wheat Ridge at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.

According to a 911 call, the trailer was leaking an unknown liquid onto the road and that liquid was foaming on contact. The truck had a marking on it suggesting to the caller that it contained corrosives.

Authorities say the materials ended up not being hazardous to people.

The liquid that leaked is believed to be a product that is used in ranching and not a community health hazard. There were no injuries due to the leak.

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UNIVERSAL STUDIOS EVACUATION: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS BUILDING EVACUATED AFTER CHEMICAL LEAK
http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-universal-studios-building-chemical-leak,0,1915930.story
Tags: us_CA, public, release, response, unknown_chemical

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, Calif. (KTLA) -- Los Angeles County Firefighters evacuated an office building near Universal Studios Wednesday afternoon because of a chemical leak.

The leak was reported about 1 p.m. and someone in the building originally believed it was a chlorine leak. County fire officials now believe the leak likely had to do with the building's air conditioning system.

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RAINWATERS OVERFLOW CHEMICAL CONTAINMENT PONDS IN WAXAHACHIE
http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Rainwaters-over-top-chemical-containment-ponds-in-Waxahachie-138086863.html
Tags: us_TX, public, follow-up, environmental, runoff

WAXAHACHIE - The recent rainwater is creating more than just flooding concerns in North Texas.

State and local officials in Waxahachie are responding to the accidental runoff of chemically polluted waters leftover from the massive chemical spill last October.

Dean Settlemyer had just arrived at his lawn mower shop on Main Street in Waxahachie when he was greeted by something unusual.

"I saw this foam floating in the air in my back property, so I walked back here and this is what I saw," Settlemyer said.

A river of foam washing down a rain swollen Waxahachie Creek.

But it wasn't so much the suds that concerned him. It was the putrid odor coming off the rushing waters.

---------------------------------------------

THE DAILY TAR HEEL :: UNC LABORATORIES ENCOURAGE SAFETY PROCEDURES
http://www.dailytarheel.com/index.php/article/2012/01/unc_laboratories_encourage_safety_procedures
Tags: us_NC, follow-up, response, laboratory

Posters encouraging the use of personal protective equipment will soon be in all laboratories on UNC's campus, said Mary Beth Koza, director of the Department of Environment, Health and Safety.

Koza, who presented to the faculty executive committee on Monday about the importance of safety in laboratories, said the poster would focus on personal protective equipment because of recent accidents at university labs across the country.

(editor's note: notice the URL for this story)

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FAMILY OF FOUR TREATED FOR CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING
http://www.ktul.com/story/16593925/family-of-four-treated-for-carbon-monoxide-poisoning
Tags: us_OK, public, release, injury, carbon_monoxide

Tulsa Firefighters say a family of four was treated for carbon monoxide poisoning.

It happened about 3:30 Tuesday morning in the 12000 block of E 18th St.

Hazmat crews detected a reading of 145 parts per million, and as high as 245 parts per million in one of the bedrooms. The Tulsa Fire Department considers anything above 35 parts per million dangerous.

Gas levels were also high, and could have caused an explosion.

Crews found the heater in the bathroom wall was leaking.

A 4-year-old girl, a 12-year-old girl, a 28-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman were treated at the scene and were admitted to the hospital in fair condition.

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HAZARDOUS DRUMS ON BEACHES
http://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/story/2012/01/25/hazardous-drums-beaches/
Tags: Australia, public, discovery, response, other_chemical

LOCAL firefighters are begging residents to leave drums found along the beach well alone after a hazardous materials scare at Mullawarra Beach this week.

Woolgoolga firefighters, Hazmat crews from Coffs Harbour and paramedics were called to Arrawarra Beach R about 7.10pm Monday after reports of a suspicious drum in the car park at the beach.

"It turned out to be a drum that had gone overboard from a ship a very long time ago," station commander Ray Webb said.

The 25 litre drum, property of the Wilhelmsen Ship Service in the Netherlands, was filled with the chemical Rocor NB Liquid - a nitrate/borate based compound used as a cooling inhibitor on ships.

"It is toxic is swallowed and can cause severe irritations to the skin. It's also highly toxic to waterways," Mr Webb said.

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LIVE, LOCAL, LATE BREAKING NEWS, WEATHER, AND SPORTS
http://www.walb.com/story/16588726/haz-mat-searches-for-acid-smell
Tags: us_GA, transportation, release, injury, unknown_chemical, wastes

Two Albany garbage truck workers, overcome by chemical fumes today, are out of the hospital now and recovering.

HAZMAT workers sifted through the commercial garbage on their truck after the men complained on strong fumes. Turns out a household chemical sickened the workers.

The two workers smelled an acid-like odor in the cab of the commercial garbage truck. When they started having chest pains, they knew something was wrong.

As soon as the fumes filled the truck, the two workers felt the effects.

"Complaining of chest pains and shortness of breath," said Assistant Albany Fire Chief Rubin Jordan.

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