From: Secretary ACS DCHAS <secretary**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org>
Subject: [DCHAS-L] CHAS Tweets and Chemical Safety headlines (19 articles)
Date: Fri, 13 Sep 2013 07:11:09 -0400
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Message-ID: 3AFCC35D-AA00-4DEB-9226-7DEBFBDA4EF1**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org


**At_Symbol_Here**ACSDCHAS and **At_Symbol_Here**LabSustain tweets and Chemical Safety Headlines
A service of the ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety
Connecting Chemistry and Safety at http://www.dchas.org
Tweets available on our ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety (DCHAS) Facebook Page
Tagged Article summaries are available at http://pinboard.in/u:dchas

labsustain C&EN: Unilever Seeks More Renewables: Consumer products firm, U.K. uni join for biobased chemicals development" http://t.co/D7pVXV4Vtn

acsdchas RT **At_Symbol_Here**carmendrahl: Ethanol. "Toxic, but in a fun way." **At_Symbol_Here**AltonBrown #ACSIndy #CEN90

acsdchas RT **At_Symbol_Here**ACSNatlMtg: RT **At_Symbol_Here**nanowerk: American Chemical Society issues guidelines for safer research laboratories http://t.co/wnoVCczR94 #ACSindy

labsustain C&EN: Chemists have become more environmentally sensitive during the past 50 years, but big challenges remain http://t.co/3rJgKD9zkL

acsdchas ES&T: Effects of Magnetite Nanoparticles on Soybean Chlorophyll http://t.co/xZIz03Vxqz http://t.co/9yZhLLdcKY

acsdchas C&EN: Ammonium Nitrate: Administration takes initial steps to address worker and public safety issues http://t.co/Ms6JxSirJa

acsdchas C&EN SafetyZone blog: When is an explosion really an explosion, take two http://t.co/KA8nCrCwOf

acsdchas RT **At_Symbol_Here**CHMMNews: Workers seriously injured in fire in diesel tank http://t.co/WdhFeq3DWw #HazMat

VAHMRS Much unresolved on third anniversary of San Bruno, Calif., pipeline blast | **At_Symbol_Here**scoopit http://t.co/g7DiDHHyTM #hazmat 1 day ago by acsdchas reply reply all retweet fwd

EPA Calling all citizen scientists! See how people like you are helping collect data on #climatechange impacts. http://t.co/lkaOS9LEjd 11 hours ago by acsdchas reply reply all retweet fwd

labsustain ES&T: Effects of Magnetite Nanoparticles on Soybean Chlorophyll http://t.co/TkQgfXqzk4 http://t.co/pWQtU9y5Wl

acsdchas J Chem Ed highlights some gaps to address in #chemed research http://t.co/TDtKNSBSTA (free)

acsdchas It's Complicated Pioneering network scientist Duncan Watts, PhD '97, tackles the fallacy of common sense http://t.co/ZXf8Bbns5t

acsdchas ES&T: Impact of Closing Canada?s Largest Hg Source on Local Atmospheric Hg Concentrations http://t.co/cGzctB2vYz http://t.co/2GKwMrx8zQ

acsdchas ES&T: Reactive O Species Generation of Silver Nanoparticles under Different Irradiation http://t.co/R7RhCfByRp http://t.co/gLshLw9I2S

acsdchas RT **At_Symbol_Here**carmendrahl: "I don't care about your science facts. I care about a concept that sticks." #preach **At_Symbol_Here**AltonBrown #ACSIndy #CEN90

Table of Contents (19 articles)

DEPUTIES: YORK CO. HOME CATCHES FIRE AFTER METH EXPLOSION
Tags: us_SC, public, explosion, response, meth_lab

TRANE LAB EVACUATED AS FIREFIGHTERS BATTLE BLAZE
Tags: us_WI, laboratory, fire, response, unknown_chemical

12 TREATED AFTER FACTORY FIRE
Tags: us_PA, industrial, fire, response, tear_gas

MCDONALD?S IN SUGARCREEK EVACUATED
Tags: us_OH, public, release, response, carbon_dioxide, carbon_monoxide

2 HOSPITALIZED AFTER CHLORINE-RELATED EXPLOSION
Tags: us_WA, public, explosion, injury, chlorine

PROVIDENCE, RI AND NEW BEDFORD, MA NEWS, WEATHER
Tags: us_RI, public, release, response, ammonia

FIRE AT MIDDLE SCHOOL IN FRISCO INJURES TWO STUDENTS AND A TEACHER
Tags: us_TX, education, fire, injury, ethanol

OSHA FINES AEROSOL PAINT MANUFACTURER $262K AFTER EXPLOSION
Tags: us_IL, industrial, follow-up, injury, unknown_chemical

THREE PEOPLE TREATED AFTER CHEMICAL SPILL
Tags: us_UT, industrial, release, injury, unknown_chemical

STATIC ELECTRICITY CAUSE OF CHEMICAL FIRE, OFFICIAL SAYS
Tags: us_TX, industrial, fire, response, toluene

CHEMICAL SMOLDERS AT ILLINOIS SOYBEAN PLANT
Tags: us_IL, industrial, fire, response, unknown_chemical

C&EN SAFETYZONE BLOG: WHEN IS AN EXPLOSION REALLY AN EXPLOSION, TAKE TWO
Tags: industrial, follow-up, environmental, nitrogen

DRIVER SUING COLUMBUS FIRE DEPT. AFTER ALLEGED AMBULANCE CHEMICAL SPRAY
Tags: us_OH, public, release, injury, toxics

CHEMICAL SPILL AT HASBROUCK HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL
Tags: us_NJ, laboratory, release, response, hydrochloric_acid

BLAZE CHEMICAL FEARS AFTER ACID FOUND IN GARAGE
Tags: United_Kingdom, public, fire, response, unknown_chemical

UPDATE: CHEMICAL ODOR "EXPLOSIVE IN NATURE" PROMPTS EVACUATION IN BEAVERCREEK
Tags: us_OH, public, release, response, unknown_chemical

HAZMAT SPILL REPORTED AT GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL IN PUYALLUP
Tags: us_WA, public, release, injury, cleaners

WORKERS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN FIRE IN DIESEL TANK
Tags: us_NH, industrial, fire, injury, diesel

MUCH UNRESOLVED ON THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF SAN BRUNO, CALIF., PIPELINE BLAST
Tags: us_CA, industrial, follow-up, death, natural_gas


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DEPUTIES: YORK CO. HOME CATCHES FIRE AFTER METH EXPLOSION
http://www.wsoctv.com/news/news/local/deputies-york-co-home-catches-fire-after-meth-expl/nZtZC/
Tags: us_SC, public, explosion, response, meth_lab

YORK COUNTY, S.C. ? A York County home where authorities said two people were cooking methamphetamine burst into flames Wednesday.

Neighbors of the mobile home on Shannon Meadows Road near Rhyne Road outside Clover called Eyewitness News when they saw crews in hazmat suits at the scene. They said they heard a loud explosion shortly before 10 p.m. and then found the road blocked for hours.

Neighbors said they thought the house was vacant.

"I seen a bright light then I said, 'They got power, must be moving back,' and then I looked on out a little bit and I said, 'Oh my Lord, the house is on fire,'" said neighbor Darlene Childers.

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TRANE LAB EVACUATED AS FIREFIGHTERS BATTLE BLAZE
http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/employees-evacauted-after-fire-at-trane-plant-on-city-s/article_6b25a218-1aec-11e3-8099-001a4bcf887a.html
Tags: us_WI, laboratory, fire, response, unknown_chemical

La Crosse firefighters remain on scene after extinguishing a fire at the Trane plant on the city's South Side.

The fire broke out in the lab building at 2113 S. 20th at about 6:45 a.m., said Melinda Rowland, communications manager for Trane's parent company, Ingersol Rand.

The fire was extinguished around 11 a.m., according to the La Crosse Fire Department, though crews remained at the site performing cleanup.
....
Rowland said lab employees were sent home for the day and the company did not yet know when they would be able to return. Work was able to continue in Trane's other seven buildings.

The lab is used for product development, Rowland said.

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

12 TREATED AFTER FACTORY FIRE
http://sharonherald.com/local/x250211691/12-treated-after-factory-fire
Tags: us_PA, industrial, fire, response, tear_gas

GREENE TOWNSHIP ? Fire in a Greene Township factory that makes tear gas among other products sent a dozen employees of Combined Tactical Systems to the hospital for treatment. This marks the third fire at the plant in a little over 18 months.

The fire at about 5:45 a.m. Tuesday was in the ?gas house? where tear gas canisters are made, said Mike Cadman, Jamestown fire chief.

Its cause is under investigation. However, factory employees were taken to the hospital only as a precaution and no injuries among them were reported, said Theresa Naim, area director of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration?s Erie office.

Initially, six employees were taken by ambulance to the hospital after suffering irritation from the raw tear gas chemical used in the plant, he said.

Six other employees who went to a parking lot as they are required to do during a fire were exposed to tear gas fumes when they returned to their work stations in other buildings and also were taken to the hospital, Cadman said.

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MCDONALD?S IN SUGARCREEK EVACUATED
http://www.timesreporter.com/newsnow/x914321892/McDonald-s-in-Sugarcreek-evacuated
Tags: us_OH, public, release, response, carbon_dioxide, carbon_monoxide

SUGARCREEK ?
A report early Tuesday of possible carbon monoxide with symptoms prompted the evacuation of the McDonald?s Restaurant at 725 Dover Road NE.

Fire Chief Jim Harrison said the Swiss Valley Emergency Squad and Sugarcreek Fire Department both received the call at 7:11 a.m.

Harrison said Tuesday evening that a carbon monoxide detector in the building had gone off, but firefighters found no carbon monoxide when they checked the building with a CO detector.

He said there had been a carbon dioxide leak from a carbonated beverage machine in the back of building earlier in the morning, which resulted in a large amount of ice buildup.

?They have a carbon monoxide alarm in the back, so we don?t know if the gases from the machine gave a false reading or what, but it set the alarm off,? he added.

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

2 HOSPITALIZED AFTER CHLORINE-RELATED EXPLOSION
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20130910/NEWS01/709109873
Tags: us_WA, public, explosion, injury, chlorine

EVERETT -- Two people were taken to the hospital Tuesday morning after a chlorine-related explosion in north Everett.
It happened about 9:30 a.m. at an apartment complex in the 1000 block of E. Marine View Drive, Everett Fire Marshal Rick Robinson said.
The pool maintenance man was doing some work with the chlorine at the time, Robinson said. It wasn't immediately clear what caused the explosion, but some of the chlorine splashed on the man.
He and another employee were taken to Providence Regional Medical Center Everett for evaluation of chemical exposure.

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

PROVIDENCE, RI AND NEW BEDFORD, MA NEWS, WEATHER
http://www.abc6.com/story/23393441/ammonia-leak-a
Tags: us_RI, public, release, response, ammonia

PROVIDENCE - Several buildings around 75 Baker street were evacuated just before 9:00 this morning after ammonia leaked from a canister during a routine installation.

"Anhydrous ammonia is a toxic inhalation hazard... so we're taking every precaution to protect the firefighters and protect the public," said Providence Fire Chief Michael Dillon. "But even with the full release of the cylinder the hazard to the public would be minimal."

Luckily, only a small portion of ammonia leaked from its container.

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

FIRE AT MIDDLE SCHOOL IN FRISCO INJURES TWO STUDENTS AND A TEACHER
http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2013/sep/10/fire-roach-frisco-injured-two-students-teacher/
Tags: us_TX, education, fire, injury, ethanol

FRISCO ? Two students and a teacher at Roach Middle School were injured as a result of an experiment Monday afternoon.

Authorities said the experiment involved strontium chloride, methyl alcohol and a stick lighter. Firefighters were dispatched at 3:38 p.m. and arrived four minutes later.

The school had been evacuated prior to the firefighters? arrival.

One student was flown to Parkland Hospital in Dallas, while the teacher and other student were treated on the scene.

Investigators said the teacher discharged the classroom?s fire extinguisher to put the flame out, and there was no ?sustainable? fire in the building.

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

OSHA FINES AEROSOL PAINT MANUFACTURER $262K AFTER EXPLOSION
http://couriernews.suntimes.com/news/22382035-418/osha-fines-aerosol-paint-manufacturer-262k-after-explosion.html
Tags: us_IL, industrial, follow-up, injury, unknown_chemical

CARY ? An aerosol paint manufacturing company has been fined $262,000 after a March explosion injured three workers, the federal government announced Thursday.

Fox Valley Systems, Inc. faces 26 serious safety violations after an explosion and fire March 6 at the Cary plant seriously injured three employees, according to a statement from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

OSHA placed the company in its Severe Violator Enforcement Program and proposed fines of $262,000.

Locked doors impeded exit routes and snow-blocked exits, which slowed employees from exiting the plant quickly, the statement said.

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

THREE PEOPLE TREATED AFTER CHEMICAL SPILL
http://fox13now.com/2013/09/06/three-people-treated-after-chemical-spill/
Tags: us_UT, industrial, release, injury, unknown_chemical

SALT LAKE CITY ? Three employees of DNA company BioFire Diagnostics Inc. were hospitalized after being exposed to a chemical spill.
At approximately 10 a.m. Friday, a chemical used in DNA processing was spilled. When employees tried to clean it up, they were exposed to the flammable liquid related to cyanide.
They went to a clinic in West Valley City, which refused to take them because of the contamination. The employees went to the University of Utah Hospital.
?Instead of just having one scene, now there are three scenes, there are a lot of people involved, when if we would have been included in the very beginning,? said Jasen Asay, Salt Lake City Fire Department. ?We could have come here, helped with the cleanup and done the decontamination here and it?s likely that three people would not be in the hospital that are in right now.?
The three employees were decontaminated outside the University Hospital and are now receiving treatment.

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

STATIC ELECTRICITY CAUSE OF CHEMICAL FIRE, OFFICIAL SAYS
http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2013/sep/11/chemfire_folo_jrp_091213_219516/?business&local-news
Tags: us_TX, industrial, fire, response, toluene

Static electricity caused a chemical fire Monday at a company in the 6000 block of U.S. Highway 59 north, said city of Victoria Fire Marshal Tom Legler.

Drill Green Petroleum Products' employees were pouring a toxic chemical called toluene from two plastic containers to two steel containers with a capacity to carry at least 270 gallons when a static electricity charge built up, Legler said.

The fire broke out at 1:30 p.m. Monday and forced Torres Elementary School, which was 5 miles from the blaze, to keep its students inside as a precaution.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze within an hour.

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

CHEMICAL SMOLDERS AT ILLINOIS SOYBEAN PLANT
http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/22518989-418/chemical-smolders-at-illinois-soybean-plant.html
Tags: us_IL, industrial, fire, response, unknown_chemical

PIPER CITY ? Officials say a chemical at north-central Illinois plant is smoldering after a water-reactive agent used to fumigate soybeans likely got wet during overnight storms.

Patti Thompson is a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Emergency Management. She says Precision Soya officials alerted the state this morning about the incident in the village of Piper City.

Thompson says a two-block area around the plant has been evacuated and a hazardous material team from Champaign is heading to the scene. A nearby school district in Kempton canceled all classes for the day. The district?s junior high school is across the street from the plant.

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

C&EN SAFETYZONE BLOG: WHEN IS AN EXPLOSION REALLY AN EXPLOSION, TAKE TWO
http://cenblog.org/the-safety-zone/2013/09/when-is-an-explosion-really-an-explosion-take-two/
Tags: industrial, follow-up, environmental, nitrogen

A few weeks back, we had a letter to the editor in C&EN that took us to task for using ?blast? and ?explosion? to describe two industrial incidents. We have more in this week?s issue (which, I might add, is a particularly awesome one in celebration of C&EN?s 90th anniversary). The consensus? The rupture of a nitrogen line is a mechanical explosion, and C&EN used the words appropriately.

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

DRIVER SUING COLUMBUS FIRE DEPT. AFTER ALLEGED AMBULANCE CHEMICAL SPRAY
http://www.myfox28columbus.com/shared/news/features/top-stories/stories/wsyx_driver-suing-columbus-fire-dept-after-alleged-ambulance-chemical-spray-26151.shtml
Tags: us_OH, public, release, injury, toxics

UPPER ARLINGTON (Ken Hines) -- A woman is suing the Columbus Division of Fire after she was allegedly sprayed by a dangerous chemical from one of the department's vehicles.

According to the lawsuit, Maureen Koeppen was driving her convertible on August 14 when she stopped next to the ambulance at a red light at 5th Ave. and Olengangy River Road.

"An extremely large amount of warm fluid began discharging from the ambulance on to Mrs. Koeppen," a court document reads. "It was like a garden hose began spraying all over Mrs. Koeppen.

The ambulance allegedly turned on to Olentangy River Road after the spraying incident, at which time Koeppen claimed to have pulled over to clean herself.

While stopped, Koeppen -- who said the liquid "tasted like a chemical" -- noticed lesions and burn marks on her face and neck, according to the lawsuit.

Koeppen was soon admitted to a central Ohio hospital, where she claimed to have been diagnosed with a "life threatening" case of "exposure to a toxic chemical."

Columbus City Attorney's Office lawyers are representing the city and the fire department in the case. They are attempting to identify any ambulances that could have been involved in the alleged incident.

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

CHEMICAL SPILL AT HASBROUCK HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL
http://www.northjersey.com/news/223325381_Chemical_spill_at_Hasbrouck_Heights_High_School.html
Tags: us_NJ, laboratory, release, response, hydrochloric_acid

A chemical spill was reported in one of the science rooms of the Hasbrouck Heights High/Middle School on Sept. 10, police said.

Bergen County Hazmat responded to the school along with the borough's police and fire departments and the board of health. Police Chief Michael Colaneri said the chemical was identified as hydrochloric acid that had spilled in a science room closet on the third floor of the school.

Colaneri said someone detected the odor of the chemical and called the police around 5:30 p.m. No one was injured and school was opened on Sept. 11.

The science room was cleared and sealed off from the rest of the school and was vented out overnight to remediate the smell. Colaneri said an air test was conducted the next morning to clear the room.

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

BLAZE CHEMICAL FEARS AFTER ACID FOUND IN GARAGE
http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/crime/blaze-chemical-fears-after-acid-found-in-garage-1-6037355
Tags: United_Kingdom, public, fire, response, unknown_chemical

FIREFIGHTERS had to call in a specialist chemical team after finding a barrel of unidentified acid in a garage fire.

Rainton Bridge watch manager Steve Robson said the drum had swollen up ?like a balloon? in the blaze early yesterday.

Crews had received no warning of what they were facing when they arrived at the scene in Coalbank Square, Low Moorsley, Hetton, shortly before 1am.

Watch manager Robson said: ?When we arrived, we were faced with four detached garages, one of which was well alight, and two cars, which were also well alight.

?We had two fire appliances on hand for what we thought was just a fire, but when we got the fire down, we discovered a 45-gallon drum at the back of the garage.

?After a few minutes knocking on doors, we managed to raise a resident who confirmed there was an acid of some kind in the barrel.

?We did not know whether it was leaking or whether it had been involved in the fire.?

The crews called in a specialist chemical appliance from Newcastle city centre station as a precaution and spent around three quarters of an hour spraying the barrel with water.

?We just cooled the barrel for around 45 minutes to get the temperature down to a point where we could inspect it,? said watch manager Robson.

?By this point, it had expended like a balloon from the heat of the fire.?

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

UPDATE: CHEMICAL ODOR "EXPLOSIVE IN NATURE" PROMPTS EVACUATION IN BEAVERCREEK
http://www.abc22now.com/shared/news/top-stories/stories/wkef_vid_15906.shtml
Tags: us_OH, public, release, response, unknown_chemical

BEAVERCREEK -- Fire officials say they have aired out a house at 4165 Lyndell Drive after the homeowners reported smelling a chemical odor at 6:35 a.m. Wednesday.

The build-up of fumes was determined to be "explosive in nature" and firefighters evacuated neighboring homes and closed nearby streets as a precaution.

The house at 4165 Lyndell, which was being renovated, has been aired out by firefighters and a hazardous materials crew. Crews also checked other houses nearby; so far, the odor was not detected elsewhere.

Officials determined the gas leak was caused by a well that wasn't sealed. A well-sealing company has been brought in to fix the issue.

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

HAZMAT SPILL REPORTED AT GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL IN PUYALLUP
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/09/11/2778845/hazmat-spill-reported-at-good.html
Tags: us_WA, public, release, injury, cleaners

INITIAL POST: The Emergency Room at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup is shut down for several hours while crews handle a hazardous material spill.

?It appears one of the employees poured one of the drain cleaners down the sink and had a chemical reaction with something already in the sink,? Central Pierce Deputy Fire Marshal Guy Overby said.

The incident started about 10 a.m.

Six hospital workers, one patient and a family member of the patient reported breathing problems or eye irritation and are being decontaminated.

Crews will be conducting air quality tests before allowing people back inside the Emergency Room, Overby said.

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

WORKERS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN FIRE IN DIESEL TANK
http://www.wmur.com/news/nh-news/workers-injured-in-explosion-at-gas-station/-/9857858/21851038/-/gqf38tz/-/index.html
Tags: us_NH, industrial, fire, injury, diesel

Officials said the workers were injured in the tank fire at a Mobil station on Hanover Street.

Fire Chief James Burkush said the men were part of a five-person crew re-lining the interior of an 8-by-24-foot diesel tank. Two men were inside the tank using a chemical agent to affix a fiberglass material to the sides of the tank.

Witnesses said there was no loud explosion, just heavy smoke emerging from the manhole to the tank. Witnesses said one of the workers managed to get out right away.

?One of the guys climbed up out of the hole and just kind of rolled over on his back with his hands up,? said John Brewer, owner of Johnny B?s Car Care.

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

MUCH UNRESOLVED ON THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF SAN BRUNO, CALIF., PIPELINE BLAST
http://www.bendbulletin.com/article/20130908/NEWS0107/309080363/
Tags: us_CA, industrial, follow-up, death, natural_gas

SAN JOSE, Calif. ? Three years after an explosion resulting from PG&E blunders blew up a San Bruno, Calif., neighborhood, killing eight people and destroying 38 homes, many questions concerning punishment, prosecution, legal liability and progress in making the utility?s aging natural gas pipelines safer remain unanswered.

?So many things are still up in the air," said state Sen. Jerry Hill, whose district includes the Crestmoor neighborhood of San Bruno where the explosion took place. ?PG&E has done a lot of work. But we are still not assured about the safety of PG&E?s natural gas pipelines."

The unfinished response to the Sept. 9, 2010, disaster is underscored by the physical appearance of the explosion-torn neighborhood in the San Bruno hills. Empty lots, construction crews, stacks of lumber and other building materials dot the area. And the blast still scars the recollections of numerous residents.

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