From: "Secretary, ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety" <secretary**At_Symbol_Here**DCHAS.ORG>
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Chemical Safety headlines from Google (18 articles)
Date: July 27, 2012 7:04:31 AM EDT
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Message-ID: <22EBF6C6-CF63-4707-BC7B-61B41566F1B8**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org>

Chemical Safety Headlines From Google
Friday, July 27, 2012 7:04:14 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 (18 articles)

BLOG: SMART REGULATION -- THE CHEMICAL SAFETY BOARD VS. OSHA
Tags: public, follow-up, response

VIDEO: THE PEOPLE V. PROFESSOR HARRAN
Tags: us_CA, laboratory, follow-up, death

I-75 SOUTH IN HENRY COUNTY REOPENS AFTER HAZMAT CRASH
Tags: us_GA, transportation, release, response, ag_chems, pesticides

CHEMICAL LEAK FOUND AT DOW PROPERTY IN FREEPORT
Tags: us_TX, transportation, release, response, naphtha

EXPLOSION, FIRE REPORTED AT AUMSVILLE DAIRY
Tags: us_OR, industrial, fire, response, methane

ONE IN HOSPITAL AFTER "SPICE" LAB EXPLOSION
Tags: us_FL, public, explosion, injury, drugs

AMMONIA LEAK FORCES EVACUATION AT RICE UNIVERSITY
Tags: us_TX, laboratory, release, response, ammonia, gas_cylinders

MERCURY SPILL AT BROOKDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE CLOSES CHEMISTRY WING
Tags: us_NJ, laboratory, release, response, mercury

DA SEEKS DAMAGES IN HAZMAT CASE
Tags: us_CA, public, follow-up, injury, waste

DEPUTIES: SYNTHETIC DRUG LAB EXPLODES, IGNITES GARAGE
Tags: us_FL, public, explosion, response, drugs

TANKER EXPLOSION IN LABUAN LEAVES ONE DEAD, FOUR MISSING (UPDATE)
Tags: Malaysia, transportation, explosion, death, methanol

SHERIFF: 4 HURT IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS OIL FIELD BLAST
Tags: us_IL, public, explosion, injury, unknown_chemical

SMELL'S SOURCE REMAINS RIDDLE (FROM OXFORD MAIL)
Tags: United_Kingdom, laboratory, release, response, unknown_chemical

BAG OF METH LAB TRASH EXPLODES IN ROOTSTOWN AFTER BEING HIT BY MOWER
Tags: us_OH, public, fire, response, illegal, meth_lab, waste

BP WORKER FOCUS CONTRIBUTED TO EXPLOSION
Tags: us_LA, industrial, follow-up, death

DANGERS OF USING ILLEGAL CHEMICALS
Tags: Australia, industrial, follow-up, response, explosives, illegal

HOMEMADE BUG BOMB SETS OFF PANIC AT SOUTHEAST OKC APARTMENTS
Tags: us_OK, public, release, response, pesticides

FORKLIFT IS BLAMED IN FIRE AT AN OKLAHOMA CITY CHEMICAL PLANT FIRE
Tags: us_OK, industrial, fire, response, various_chemicals


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BLOG: SMART REGULATION -- THE CHEMICAL SAFETY BOARD VS. OSHA
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2012/07/smart_regulation_the_chemical_safety_board_vs_osha.html
Tags: public, follow-up, response

The Chemical Safety Board has just released a preliminary report on the Deepwater Horizon accident. The core finding was that the crew was too focused on reportable lost-time accidents and too unfocused on process safety. Of course, our president dispatched the attorney general to threaten criminal charges for violations of mindless regulations while his interior secretary promised to keep a "boot on the throat" of BP!

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VIDEO: THE PEOPLE V. PROFESSOR HARRAN
http://californiawatch.org/higher-ed/video-people-v-professor-harran-17275
Tags: us_CA, laboratory, follow-up, death

A court case in Los Angeles casts doubt over how safe thousands of labs at UCLA really are. A chemistry professor and the UC regents are facing felony charges in the death of Sheri Sangji, a young research associate who died after a chemical fire. The university had been cited for previous occupational health and safety violations, but it's the first time a professor in the U.S. has been charged with a felony for the death of a worker. This case will have consequences not only for UCLA, but for every campus lab in the country.

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I-75 SOUTH IN HENRY COUNTY REOPENS AFTER HAZMAT CRASH
http://www.ajc.com/news/henry/i-75-south-in-1485023.html
Tags: us_GA, transportation, release, response, ag_chems, pesticides

The southbound lanes of I-75 in southern Henry County have reopened, nearly six hours after a tractor trailer hauling a hazardous chemical overturned south of Ga. 155.

The truck was carrying methyl bromide, according to the state Department of Transportation. Some of the chemical, commonly used in pesticides, spilled into the left lane, the DOT said.

The 5:30 a.m. crash also caused extensive damage to the guardrail. Henry County authorities said the driver of the truck was taken to Piedmont Henry Hospital for treatment of injuries that were not life-threatening.

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CHEMICAL LEAK FOUND AT DOW PROPERTY IN FREEPORT
http://www.click2houston.com/news/Chemical-leak-found-at-Dow-property-in-Freeport/-/1735978/15709616/-/bxcib9/-/index.html
Tags: us_TX, transportation, release, response, naphtha

FREEPORT, Texas -
A spokeswoman said a naphtha leak from a pipeline on Dow property in Freeport occurred on Tuesday.

Dow crews were able to get the leak under control.

Air monitors were installed throughout the area and no substances that would cause health issues have been detected outside the area of the leak, officials said.

There were no injuries and no workers were evacuated from the site or community at any time.

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

EXPLOSION, FIRE REPORTED AT AUMSVILLE DAIRY
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20120726/NEWS/120725023/Explosion-fire-reported-Aumsville-dairy?gcheck=1&nclick_check=1
Tags: us_OR, industrial, fire, response, methane

A methane generator caught fire at Oakley Farm in Aumsville about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Firefighters from Aumsville Fire Department as well as surrounding towns including Stayton, Turner and Sublimity, responded and put the fire out within 30 minutes.

The damage was confined to two methane tanks at the farm, at 11314 Mill Creek Road, owned by Betty and Tim Bielenberg. Betty Bielenberg said that no animals or people were injured.

Fire officials said that damage was estimated at $250,000.

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

ONE IN HOSPITAL AFTER "SPICE" LAB EXPLOSION
http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/region_pasco/one-in-hospital-after-spice-lab-explosion
Tags: us_FL, public, explosion, injury, drugs

PASCO COUNTY, Fla. - A Pasco County man is still in the hospital with burns on his arms and back after an explosion Tuesday night. Investigators say the blast was a result of a "Spice" lab, where synthetic marijuana is made.

Neighbors near the explosion say it is truly amazing that no one outside that home was hurt or that any of the homes in the area were damaged, considering the strength of the blast.

"I heard a sonic boom-type of explosion," said Steve Deboskey, who lives just a few houses down from the home on 24349 Breezy Oak Court. "I looked down and saw the garage flying across the street into the other yard."

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

AMMONIA LEAK FORCES EVACUATION AT RICE UNIVERSITY
http://www.khou.com/news/local/Chemical-leak-forces-evacuation-near-Rice-University-163739246.html
Tags: us_TX, laboratory, release, response, ammonia, gas_cylinders

HOUSTON - An ammonia leak forced the evacuation of a four-story building on the campus of Rice University Wednesday.
The ammonia fumes leaked from a cylinder inside a lab in Dell Butcher Hall around 1:30 p.m.
About 50 students were evacuated from the building near Hazard Street and Rice Blvd.
Hazmat crews, dozens of firefighters and several ambulances responded to the scene.
Three students who were in or near the lab were checked out by emergency crews but no one had to be transported to area hospitals.
The building was designed to prevent fumes from leaking into the ventilation system.

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

MERCURY SPILL AT BROOKDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE CLOSES CHEMISTRY WING
http://middletown-nj.patch.com/articles/mercury-spill-at-brookdale-community-college-closes-chemistry-wing
Tags: us_NJ, laboratory, release, response, mercury

Brookdale Community College's chemistry wing is expected to reopen later today after a wall barometer holding 5 pounds of mercury broke in the hallway between two chemistry learning assistant's offices.

Chemistry classrooms and learning assitants' offices were evacuated after the spill.

A chemistry learning assistant reported at 9:53 a.m. that a thermometer in the hallway between offices had broken and that there was mercury on the ground. The thermometer had allegedly broken overnight, said Brookdale Community College spokeswoman Avis McMillon.

Brookdale police responded to the call within minutes, arriving to the corridor by 9:56 a.m., McMilon said. No one was injured during the incident.

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

DA SEEKS DAMAGES IN HAZMAT CASE
http://www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?id=1751783&title=DA%20seeks%20damages%20in%20hazmat%20case
Tags: us_CA, public, follow-up, injury, waste

A toxic explosion that sent three trash collectors to the hospital in January has resulted in the filing of a civil complaint by the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office against a Redwood City construction company for violating environmental law.
The office's Consumer and Environmental Unit filed the civil complaint Monday alleging that Pellarin Construction Group and its CEO Arron John Pellarin unlawfully disposed of hazardous waste and engaged in other unlawful business practices.
The list of violations the office contends is lengthy with civil penalties of up to $25,000 attached to each.
Five plastic containers being kept outside the construction company's building at 1520 Main St. in Redwood City were thrown in a garbage dumpster by a supervisor of the company back in December, according to the District Attorney's Office.
The containers contained poly carboy; lithiochrome that contains hydrochloric acid; chrome chloride; cupric chloride; ferrus chloride and ferric chloride; Baume hydrochloric acid; El Diablo Drain Cleaner that contains sulfuric acid; ammonia; and Marine Resin, according to the District Attorney's Office.

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

DEPUTIES: SYNTHETIC DRUG LAB EXPLODES, IGNITES GARAGE
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/19105144/2012/07/24/explosion-ignites-garage-of-lutz-home
Tags: us_FL, public, explosion, response, drugs

LUTZ (FOX 13) -
Few people on Breezy Oak Court knew the people who moved in to a home near the end of the street. Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, no one could stop talking about the mystery residents.

That's because Tuesday evening, the house exploded. The force of the blast sent the garage door zooming across the street. Widows were shattered; siding melted.

This was not an accidental fire, according to Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco.

"There was the green leafy material that had indications of Spice," or synthetic marijuana. One man inside the home suffered serious burns. Detectives say they found chemicals consistent with the manufacture of synthetic marijuana.

The state has been playing a game of chemical "cat and mouse" with those who make the substance. Spice, or K2 is sometimes smoked as a substitute for pot. The state has been trying to ban some of its chemicals it is composed of

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TANKER EXPLOSION IN LABUAN LEAVES ONE DEAD, FOUR MISSING (UPDATE)
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/7/26/nation/20120726110701&sec=nation
Tags: Malaysia, transportation, explosion, death, methanol

KOTA KINABALU: An explosion ripped through a tanker carrying methanol and berthed at Labuan early Thursday, leaving one crewman dead and four missing.

Police believe a lightning strike started the fire on board the Malaysian International Shipping Corporation-owned Bunga Alpinia 3 (pix) alongside the Petronas Methanol terminal in Labuan at about 3am.

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

SHERIFF: 4 HURT IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS OIL FIELD BLAST
http://qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=601771
Tags: us_IL, public, explosion, injury, unknown_chemical

NORRIS CITY, Ill. (AP) Ñ A southern Illinois sheriff says four people were injured after an oil-field explosion perhaps sparked by a welding job.

White County Sheriff Doug Maier says injuries to three victims burned during the blast Tuesday near Norris City were 'very serious.' They were hospitalized. A spokeswoman for El Dorado's Ferrell Hospital, Heather Morris, says one of those victims was transferred to another hospital with burns over half of his body.

The fourth victim was treated at the El Dorado hospital and released.

The sheriff says a preliminary investigation shows welders were working on a tank when something ignited. Norris City firefighters quickly doused the blaze.

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

SMELL'S SOURCE REMAINS RIDDLE (FROM OXFORD MAIL)
http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/9834995.Smell___s_source_remains_riddle/
Tags: United_Kingdom, laboratory, release, response, unknown_chemical

FIREFIGHTERS were unable to identify the source of a smell which led to them closing off South Parks Road on Monday.

The road was shut at about 8.30pm after reports of a "strong chemical smell" at Oxford University 's Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory. It was reopened three hours later.

A fire service spokesman said the smell was not considered hazardous.

The university said no gas or chemical leak was found and the building, which was evacuated, was reopened at midnight.

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

BAG OF METH LAB TRASH EXPLODES IN ROOTSTOWN AFTER BEING HIT BY MOWER
http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2012/07/meth_lab_trash_explodes_in_roo.html
Tags: us_OH, public, fire, response, illegal, meth_lab, waste

ROOTSTOWN, Ohio -- A work crew mowed over a garbage bag on Lynn Road and it burst into flames today because it contained waste from an illegal methamphetamine lab.
The Portage County Drug Task Force was called by the Rootstown Township Road Department after the fire was doused by the worker.
"Task Force members stabilized the chemicals and contacted a chemical disposal company to dispose of it," said a statement from the task force.
Portage County Sheriff David Doak said this is the third meth lab the Task Force has dealt with in the past five days and the labs continue to be a growing problem in the Portage County area.
Doak warned people to not touch trash bags, packages or backpacks found along the road because they could contain explosive chemicals used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. They should contact their local police departments if they observe such a package.

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

BP WORKER FOCUS CONTRIBUTED TO EXPLOSION
http://www.sfgate.com/nation/article/BP-worker-focus-contributed-to-explosion-3732557.php
Tags: us_LA, industrial, follow-up, death

BP and the drilling contractor that operated the ill-fated Deepwater Horizon were so focused on worker safety they didn't do enough to prevent major hazards, such as the 2010 rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico that killed 11 people, federal investigators said Tuesday.

The preliminary findings were presented by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, a panel that often probes industry accidents but does not have regulatory authority.

The panel listed a litany of problems large and small they had already uncovered even though it has not received all of the records from Transocean, the drilling contractor that has challenged the board's right to investigate the offshore incident.

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

DANGERS OF USING ILLEGAL CHEMICALS
http://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/story/2012/07/25/dangers-buying-illegal-chemicals-explosives/
Tags: Australia, industrial, follow-up, response, explosives, illegal

THE Queensland Government has issued a warning on the dangers posed by using illegal explosive mixtures for target practice.

The product Tannerite, a mix of two chemical compounds that form a volatile substance,will explode when struck or shot at.

The notice from the State Government's Explosives Inspectorate stated "Some Queensland shooters are using products containing explosives for target practice".

"Tannerite includes ingredients that are classed as explosives - and it is illegal in Queensland to use explosives for target practice."

One website selling the compounds describe them as being apparently being safe in the presence of fire or electricity.

However, to create the exploding target, the two must be mixed together - and manufacturing explosives carries a heavy fine.

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

HOMEMADE BUG BOMB SETS OFF PANIC AT SOUTHEAST OKC APARTMENTS
http://www.news9.com/story/19097331/homemade-bug-bomb-sets-off-panic-at-southeast-okc-apartment-complex
Tags: us_OK, public, release, response, pesticides

OKLAHOMA CITY - A strange odor at an apartment complex near S.E. 44th Street and Sunnylane in Oklahoma City led to a hazmat situation early Tuesday morning.
Around 4 a.m., residents became concerned when a powerful smell began drifting through Raleigh Square Apartments. Someone called 911, and firefighters and hazmat crews responded to the scene. They evacuated some residents while crews investigated the odor.

Hazmat investigators soon learned a resident had set up a homemade bug bomb in an apartment to get rid of pests, and left the unit. When firefighters entered the apartment, it was filled with a haze and bad smell, but there was no danger.

The homemade bug bomb was thrown away and residents were allowed back into their apartments.

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

FORKLIFT IS BLAMED IN FIRE AT AN OKLAHOMA CITY CHEMICAL PLANT FIRE
http://newsok.com/update-people-within-a-half-mile-being-evacuated-from-scene-of-chemical-fire-in-southeast-oklahoma-city/article/3695091
Tags: us_OK, industrial, fire, response, various_chemicals

A fire Tuesday at a chemical plant near Interstate 35 in southeast Oklahoma City caused explosions and evacuations, but no injuries.
The five-alarm fire at Bachman Services Inc., 2220 S Prospect Ave., caused concerns because of the chemicals involved, Deputy Fire Chief Marc Woodard said.
The company had 400 55-gallon drums of various chemicals and chemical mixes, Woodard said.
One chemical was identified as triazine, an emulsion breaker that is flammable and toxic.
Triazine is also a skin, eye and respiratory irritant, Woodard said.
Firefighters used foam to put out fire near the chemicals that would react with water, fire Maj. Tammy McKinney said.
Firefighters had to be bathed in soap and water and sprayed down after fighting the fire because of the potential danger of chemicals mixing with the water used to fight the fire, Woodard said. No injuries were reported, but paramedics treated three people for heat exhaustion on the scene, he said.

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