From: DCHAS Membership Chair <membership**At_Symbol_Here**DCHAS.ORG>
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Chemical Safety headlines (15 articles)
Date: Fri, 1 Mar 2019 05:53:50 -0500
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
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Chemical Safety Headlines From Google
Friday, March 1, 2019 at 5:53:36 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)

MAULDIN FIRE CLEARS SCENE AFTER ODOR CAME FROM NEARBY PLANT
Tags: us_SC, industrial, release, response, waste

HAZMAT SCARE CAUSED BY MISTAKEN DELIVERY BIRMINGHAM WATER WORKS SAYS
Tags: us_AL, industrial, release, injury, water_treatment

HAZMAT SITUATION REPORTED AFTER FUMES FILL WASHINGTON COUNTY HOME
Tags: us_PA, public, release, injury, cleaners

‰??HIGHLY CORROSIVE‰?? COMPOUND LEAKS AT DALE COUNTY TRUCK STOP
Tags: us_AL, transportation, release, response, sodium_hydroxide

FSL TEAM INSPECTS BLAST SITE
Tags: India, industrial, explosion, injury, other_chemical

VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS: JOBS GETTING MORE DANGEROUS, UNPREDICTABLE
Tags: us_MS, industrial, discovery, environmental

CHEMICAL FIRE BREAKS OUT AT DUNMORE CORPORATION IN BRISTOL TOWNSHIP ‰?? CBS PHILLY
Tags: us_PA, industrial, fire, response, flammables

TRUCK SPILLS 20K POUNDS OF TOXIC SUBSTANCE ON PARK CITY ROAD
Tags: us_UT, transportation, release, response, other_chemical

UPDATE: ALL CLEAR GIVEN IN SCOTT FOLLOWING GLYCOLIC ACID LEAK
Tags: us_LA, transportation, release, response, other_chemical

CLEANUP EFFORTS ARE UNDERWAY AFTER AN OIL SPILL IN TUMWATER
Tags: us_WA, public, release, response, oils

REPORTS OF HAZMAT SPILL AT OMAHA SCHOOL
Tags: us_NE, education, release, response, hydrochloric_acid

DOZENS TAKEN TO HOSPITAL AFTER CHEMICAL REACTION AT WATER WORKS ON HWY 280
Tags: us_AL, industrial, release, injury, bleach

MASSIVE FIRE AT PLASTICS COMPANY SENDS SMOKE 3,500 FEET IN AIR
Tags: us_MI, industrial, fire, response, metals, plastics

TWO DETAINED AFTER METH SMOKE PROMPTS PARTIAL EVACUATION OF CHUMASH CASINO HOTEL
Tags: us_CA, public, release, response, other_chemical, clandestine_lab

FIRE FROM CHEMICAL EXPLOSION: BUET EXPERT
Tags: Bangladesh, industrial, follow-up, environmental, other_chemical


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MAULDIN FIRE CLEARS SCENE AFTER ODOR CAME FROM NEARBY PLANT
https://www.wspa.com/news/mauldin-fire-called-to-investigate-odor/1817873299
Tags: us_SC, industrial, release, response, waste

MAULDIN, S.C. - Mauldin Fire Department was called to investigate an odor Thursday.

Mauldin fire and police were called to the intersection of N. Golden Strip Drive and Drury Lane around 12:30 p.m. after a caller reported an irritating odor that was burning their throat.

The fire department did preliminary air monitoring and found there was no hazardous material.

They also had Greenville Hazmat test and they too found no hazardous material.

They determined that the odor was coming from a nearby plant about 1/4 mile away.

VLS Recovery handled the situation. The fire chief says the plant processes non-hazardous waste.

No injuries were involved in the situation.

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

HAZMAT SCARE CAUSED BY MISTAKEN DELIVERY BIRMINGHAM WATER WORKS SAYS
https://abc3340.com/news/local/hazmat-scare-caused-by-delivery-mistake-birmingham-water-works-says
Tags: us_AL, industrial, release, injury, water_treatment

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBMA) ‰?? The chemical reaction which sent at least 50 people to local hospitals was caused by a mistaken delivery of chemicals Birmingham Water Works officials said Thursday.

The two chemicals - Ferric Sulfate and Sodium Hypochlorite are used to treat water but are meant to be kept separate. Deliveries of the chemicals from contractors occur at different parts of the plant. On Wednesday they were delivered to the same location.

"It was an immediate reaction and that's why we were immediately able to contain it. We knew right off the bat once this had happened we would need to seek medication for those who were in close proximity," said Birmingham Water Works spokesman Rick Jackson.

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

HAZMAT SITUATION REPORTED AFTER FUMES FILL WASHINGTON COUNTY HOME
https://www.wtae.com/article/wrestling-program-helps-elementary-middle-school-students-beat-the-streets/26577401
Tags: us_PA, public, release, injury, cleaners

One person was sent to the hospital due to a hazmat situation at a home in Canonsburg, Washington County, on Thursday evening.

According to Washington County emergency dispatchers, a large amount of a drain chemical was poured down a drain and apparently did not open the clog. The residence filled with chemical fumes from the drain cleaner.

The person's condition is unknown at this time.

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

‰??HIGHLY CORROSIVE‰?? COMPOUND LEAKS AT DALE COUNTY TRUCK STOP
http://www.wsfa.com/2019/03/01/hazmat-crews-working-clean-up-leaking-sodium-hydroxide-dale-county/
Tags: us_AL, transportation, release, response, sodium_hydroxide

DALE COUNTY, AL (WSFA) - HazMat crews were sent to a Dale County truck stop to clean up a hazardous leak Thursday night.
According to Dale County Emergency Management Agency Director Kurt McDaniel, sodium hydroxide, a very corrosive compound used in things like textiles and soap detergents, leaked from an 18-wheeler described as a box trailer.
McDaniel said the box trailer was parked at Love‰??s Truck Stop on U.S. Highway 231 where a truck driver advised on the leak in the closed cargo trailer. McDaniel said three containers containing the compound were punctured.
Posey HazMat Clean Up out of Ashford was called in to clean up the scene.

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

FSL TEAM INSPECTS BLAST SITE
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/fsl-team-inspects-blast-site/article26400591.ece
Tags: India, industrial, explosion, injury, other_chemical

A team of officials from the Forensic Science Laboratory visited Muneshwara Layout to ascertain the cause of an explosion that caused injuries to four children on Tuesday night. The blast occurred near a site where Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) workers had allegedly taken up work next to a GAIL gas pipeline.

On Thursday, the Chief Secretary met senior officials from GAIL and civic agencies. According to sources who attended the meeting, Bescom was asked to bear the cost of the damage and take care of the medical expenses of the victims. The police suspect negligence on the part of the contractor who was drilling close to the pipeline.

‰??As per the guidelines, a minimum of 350 mm width has to be maintained from gas pipes while conducting any type of digging work, but this was not followed,‰?? said a senior GAIL official, who attended the meeting.

The gas pipelines have been marked and are well-mapped, but this has not prevented a spate of accidents. Over the last six months, the GAIL pipeline network has been damaged at least six times by various agencies or private companies while digging roads.

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

VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS: JOBS GETTING MORE DANGEROUS, UNPREDICTABLE
https://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/local/2019/02/28/volunteer-firefighters-dangerous-calls-fewer-fires-medical-assistance-missisissippi/2859840002/
Tags: us_MS, industrial, discovery, environmental

The job of a volunteer firefighter isn't what it used to be. In 2016, the last year for which data is available, National Fire Protection Association statistics show fire departments in the United States responded to 35.3 million calls ‰?? more than three times as many as in 1981, even though the U.S. population increased by only 42 percent.

During that time, the number of fires responded to decreased to half the number of 1981. In fact, by 2016, fires made up less than 4 percent of all calls fire departments handled, while medical emergencies accounted for 68 percent.

False alarms, mutual aid, hazardous materials and other hazardous conditions made up the rest of the calls.

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

CHEMICAL FIRE BREAKS OUT AT DUNMORE CORPORATION IN BRISTOL TOWNSHIP ‰?? CBS PHILLY
https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2019/02/28/chemical-fire-breaks-out-at-dunmore-corporation-in-bristol-township/
Tags: us_PA, industrial, fire, response, flammables

BRISTOL TOWNSHIP, Pa. (CBS) ‰?? Fire investigators are looking into the cause of an overnight chemical fire in Bucks County. It happened at Dunmore Corporation along Wharton Road in Bristol Township.

First responders say a worker was handling flammable liquids when the fire suddenly broke out.

Crews got the fire under control within 15 minutes.

Everyone made it out safely and there were no injuries.

Investigators are now trying to see if static electricity may have been the cause of the fire.

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

TRUCK SPILLS 20K POUNDS OF TOXIC SUBSTANCE ON PARK CITY ROAD
https://www.abc4.com/news/local-news/truck-spills-toxic-substance-on-park-city-road/1818954282
Tags: us_UT, transportation, release, response, other_chemical

PARK CITY (ABC4 News) ‰?? Park City Fire District and HazMat crews worked to clean up a chemical spill Thursday.

Firefighters and hazmat technicians responded to Bitner Road to investigate a white substance that spilled from a truck.

Crews eventually determined the substance was 20,000 pounds of quicklime which they say is both caustic and toxic.

Park City Fire District is working with the health department and clean-up companies to determine the best way to take care of the product.

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

UPDATE: ALL CLEAR GIVEN IN SCOTT FOLLOWING GLYCOLIC ACID LEAK
https://www.klfy.com/news/local/update-all-clear-given-in-scott-following-glycolic-acid-leak/1813970778
Tags: us_LA, transportation, release, response, other_chemical

SCOTT, La. - UPDATE: The Glycolic Acid that was being transported by the tractor-trailer involved in an accident Wednesday morning in Scott has been successfully transferred into another tractor and trailer, according to Chief Chad Sonnier.

Scott Fire Department, Lafayette Hazmat and LSP Hazmat Officials were able to prevent any environmental impact as a result of the leaking Glycolic Acid, Sonnier said, and the 800 Block of Heide Circle is re-opened.

The driver was not injured, Sonnier said.

ORIGINAL: Scott Fire Department, Lafayette Hazmat and LSP Hazmat officials are on the scene for an accident involving a tractor trailer leaking a chemical material. The accident happened in the 800 block of Heide Circle.

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

CLEANUP EFFORTS ARE UNDERWAY AFTER AN OIL SPILL IN TUMWATER
https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/more-problems-for-tumwater-brewery-as-city-property-owner-agree-on-next-steps/925879989
Tags: us_WA, public, release, response, oils

Cleanup efforts are underway after an oil spill in Tumwater. It's the latest round of trouble for the property owners of the old Olympia Brewing Company.

The city says the oil comes from a damaged transformer, caused by someone stealing copper wire. The responsibility for the cleanup is falling on property owners, Tumwater Developers LLC , because Washington state law requires whoever owns the oil to clean up any spills.

On Wednesday, cleanup crews in hazmat suits worked in Tumwater Falls Park, wiping oil from rocks and soaking up oil from puddles along the Deschutes River.

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

REPORTS OF HAZMAT SPILL AT OMAHA SCHOOL
https://www.3newsnow.com/news/local-news/reports-of-hazmat-spill-at-omaha-school
Tags: us_NE, education, release, response, hydrochloric_acid

OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) ‰?? Rescue crews are on-scene at Nathan Hale Middle school for a reported chemical spill.

We're live at the scene and will provide updates as they become available.

The Omaha Fire Department said the chemical leak was caused by spilled hydrochloric acid at the construction site on the school's campus. The leak happened underneath the swimming pool.

"Hydrochloric acid can be dangerous but it was in a location where no one was working," said Joe Salcedo, the department's assistant chief. "It was in a pit and in a containment that was meant to contain that so that's where we're at with that."

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

DOZENS TAKEN TO HOSPITAL AFTER CHEMICAL REACTION AT WATER WORKS ON HWY 280
https://www.birminghamtimes.com/2019/02/dozens-taken-to-hospital-after-chemical-reaction-at-water-works-on-hwy-280/
Tags: us_AL, industrial, release, injury, bleach

At least 50 people on Wednesday were taken to the hospital with respiratory issues after two chemicals were mixed and created a toxic gas at Birmingham Water Works filter plant on Hwy 280.

According to BWW spokesman Rick Jackson, ‰??an accidental mix of sodium hypochlorite (which is essentially bleach) and ferric sulfate‰?? caused the gas at the Shades Mountain Filter Plant.

BWW employees were able to contain the chemical accident that occurred early Wednesday.

In total, approximately 50 to 55 people were transported to area hospitals, but none sustained any life-threatening injuries, according to the BWW. Fourteen contractors working at the site and one Birmingham Water Works employee, were taken to area hospitals immediately after the accident, with additional people taken for precautionary evaluation.

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

MASSIVE FIRE AT PLASTICS COMPANY SENDS SMOKE 3,500 FEET IN AIR
https://www.wxyz.com/news/region/oakland-county/massive-fire-at-plastics-company-sends-smoke-3-500-feet-in-air
Tags: us_MI, industrial, fire, response, metals, plastics

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (WXYZ) ‰?? The thick black smoke coming from the plastics company in Auburn Hills could be seen for miles Tuesday morning.

Massive fire breaks out at plastics manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills
"Seeing that smoke, I was like wow! That is incredible," said retired Troy Fire Lieutenant Tonya Perry who saw the smoke in Troy and came to see her former colleagues joining firefighters from Auburn Hills in battling the blaze that started outside US Farathane located near University Drive and I-75.

The fire started at 10:22 a.m. and according to the National Weather Service, the smoke leveled off at about 3,500 feet in the air.

Additional firefighters and resources arrived from Waterford Regional, Rochester Hills, City of Rochester, and Oakland Township.

Auburn Hills Fire Chief Ellen Taylor said plastic and metal auto part containers that had been stored outside on the south side of the building caught fire. A drone from the City of Rochester was used to help locate and extinguish hot spots that remained after most of the fire was out.

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

TWO DETAINED AFTER METH SMOKE PROMPTS PARTIAL EVACUATION OF CHUMASH CASINO HOTEL
https://santamariatimes.com/news/local/two-detained-after-meth-smoke-prompts-partial-evacuation-of-chumash/article_8aef1c69-d2b1-56e2-87b8-5f7bc468ecab.html
Tags: us_CA, public, release, response, other_chemical, clandestine_lab

Two men were detained Tuesday night after the smell of the methamphetamine they were said to be smoking prompted a partial evacuation and hazardous materials response at the Chumash Casino Resort.

Responding around 3:40 p.m. to reports of a "hazardous situation" at the casino's hotel, Santa Barbara County Fire spokesman Mike Eliason said Chumash security staff evacuated the ninth floor after guests complained of a strong chemical smell. According to Eliason, hotel security discovered tampered smoke detectors sealed off with plastic after making entry into the room.

Santa Barbara County sheriff's spokeswoman Kelly Hoover said there was no indication that the room was being used as a drug lab but, rather, that drug activity was occurring in the hotel room.

"Right now, we think it was probably used in a party setting, and the plastic on the smoke detector was so that whatever they may have been smoking wouldn't set off the alarm," Eliason added.

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

FIRE FROM CHEMICAL EXPLOSION: BUET EXPERT
http://www.newagebd.net/article/65940/fire-from-chemical-explosion-buet-expert
Tags: Bangladesh, industrial, follow-up, environmental, other_chemical

Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology chemical engineering Professor Md Ali Ahmmad Shoukat Choudhury on Tuesday said that the fire at old Dhaka‰??s Chawk Bazar originated from chemical explosion in the first floor of Wahed Mansion.
‰??We have seen that the wall of the first floor collapsed and the beam there sustained more damage than other places,‰?? the chemical engineering expert, who along with his another colleague, visited the spot told New Age in the evening.
‰??The structural damage proves that it was a ‰??chemical vapour explosion‰??,‰?? he said.
He found that the perfume cans, stored on the first floor of Wahed Mansion, was found far away, which further proves that it was a ‰??chemical vapour cloud explosion‰??.
The chemical engineering expert said that this was no gas cylinder explosion, as claimed by many local traders.

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