From: DCHAS Membership Chair <membership**At_Symbol_Here**DCHAS.ORG>
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Chemical Safety headlines (15 articles)
Date: Mon, 20 Jan 2020 05:45:56 -0500
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Message-ID: 8C00EC3D-AB06-48F0-9D90-F8584D2E61BE**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org


Chemical Safety Headlines From Google
Monday, January 20, 2020 at 5:45:41 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)

TWO PEOPLE TAKEN TO HOSPITAL AFTER CHEMICAL EXPOSURE IN SOMERSBY
Tags: Australia, industrial, release, injury, unknown_chemical

FURY RAGES ON THE STREETS OF SPAIN AS MASS DEMONSTRATION CONDEMNS DEATHS FROM CHEMICAL PLANT EXPLOSION
Tags: Spain, industrial, follow-up, environmental

JUDGE: MORE INFORMATION NEEDED TO DECIDE WHERE EXXON MOBIL LAWSUIT WILL BE HEARD
Tags: us_TX, industrial, follow-up, environmental

SAIPAN NEWS, HEADLINES, EVENTS, ADS
Tags: us_MP, public, discovery, environmental, other_chemical

NONE INJURED DURING NITRIC ACID SPILL AT RTI SURGICAL IN MARQUETTE
Tags: us_MI, laboratory, release, response, nitric_acid

EU MOVES TOWARD STRICT CONTROLS ON 3 PLASTICS CHEMICALS AND PFBS
Tags: Belgium, public, discovery, environmental, plastics, toxics

EAST HUNTINGDON EXPLOSION INJURIES THREE, ONE LEFT IN CRITICAL CONDITION
Tags: us_PA, industrial, explosion, injury, butane

OSHA FINES PES REFINERY $132K FOR PSM HAZARDS
Tags: us_PA, industrial, follow-up, environmental, unknown_chemical

7 STUDENTS EVALUATED BY EMS AFTER INCIDENT DURING CHEMISTRY CLASS AT ASHLEY HALL SCHOOL
Tags: us_SC, education, release, injury, unknown_chemical

RECENT CHEMICAL SPILL SPARKS CONVERSATION ON DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
Tags: us_IL, industrial, follow-up, environmental

MAHARASHTRA GOVT ORDERS HIGH-LEVEL INQUIRY INTO TARAPUR FACTORY BLAST
Tags: India, industrial, follow-up, death, pharmaceutical

JOEL BLVD REOPENS AFTER CHLORINE SPILL IN LEHIGH ACRES
Tags: us_FL, transportation, release, response, acids, chlorine

CAMDEN PARK PAIR ARRESTED FOLLOWING EXPLOSION AT SUSPECTED DRUG LAB
Tags: Australia, public, explosion, injury, meth_lab

STEELWORKERS SUE EPA OVER CHANGES TO CHEMICAL SAFETY RULE
Tags: us_DC, public, discovery, environmental

SPANISH ETHYLENE OXIDE EXPLOSION KILLS 3
Tags: Spain, industrial, explosion, death, ethylene_oxide


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TWO PEOPLE TAKEN TO HOSPITAL AFTER CHEMICAL EXPOSURE IN SOMERSBY
https://7news.com.au/news/nsw/two-people-taken-to-hospital-after-chemical-exposure-in-somersby-c-655529
Tags: Australia, industrial, release, injury, unknown_chemical

Two people have been taken to hospital after a group of up to 10 people were exposed to chemicals, north of Sydney.

New South Wales ambulance crews responded to the incident on Pile Street in Somersby, west of Gosford, just after 10am on Monday, where a business was evacuated.

Three people were treated at the scene, two of which were taken to Gosford Hospital, a NSW Ambulance spokesperson told 7NEWS.com.au.

They were suffering throat irritation and sore eyes.

Four ambulance crews responded to the incident, as well as two fire trucks and two hazmat trucks.

A NSW Fire and Rescue spokesman told AAP the staff were undertaking normal procedure which involved combining chemicals at the Pile Road business when the fumes became overpowering.

It's unclear what the chemicals are.

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FURY RAGES ON THE STREETS OF SPAIN AS MASS DEMONSTRATION CONDEMNS DEATHS FROM CHEMICAL PLANT EXPLOSION
https://www.euroweeklynews.com/2020/01/19/fury-rages-on-the-streets-of-spain-as-mass-demonstration-condemns-deaths-from-chemical-plant-explosion/#.XiWA1uLPzOQ
Tags: Spain, industrial, follow-up, environmental

MORE than 1,000 people joined a mass demonstration in Spain to condemn the deaths caused by the chemical plant explosion in Tarragona last week.

Holding banners and shouting slogans such as ‰??We demand security. We want answers‰?? in union, the group marched through the streets of Bonavista until they converged at the La Canonja football field where a manifesto was read.


The protestors demanded that the Spanish government and Tarragona officials were held accountable for the tragedy which claimed the lives of three people and injured multiple others. Organised by the Bonavista Residents‰?? Association, they claimed that the accident was preventable and that the emergency response was extremely poor, putting a countless number of people in danger.

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JUDGE: MORE INFORMATION NEEDED TO DECIDE WHERE EXXON MOBIL LAWSUIT WILL BE HEARD
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Judge-More-information-needed-to-decide-where-14987923.php
Tags: us_TX, industrial, follow-up, environmental

A Harris County judge has asked for more information before deciding whether a lawsuit against Exxon Mobil will be heard here or in Travis County, part of a battle between the state and county to go after violators.

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

SAIPAN NEWS, HEADLINES, EVENTS, ADS
https://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/tap-water-menace-prompts-suit-vs-8/
Tags: us_MP, public, discovery, environmental, other_chemical

The CNMI government is suing eight companies for allegedly making chemicals that later contaminated the CNMI‰??s drinking water and pose a threat to public health, the environment, and natural sources of water.

The CNMI‰??s lawsuit was filed before the Superior Court last Nov. 19, but the case came to light after one of the eight companies being sued asked to remove the matter from the local court to the U.S. District Court for the NMI last Thursday.

Last Jan. 9, the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. announced that it has detected levels of perfluorooctaine sulfonate (PFOS) and/or perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) that exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency‰??s health advisory level of 70 parts per trillion in an area of its drinking water system.

CUC identified the affected areas as villages of Chalan Laulau, Illiying, Chalan Kiya, As Terlaje, Kannat Tabla, Fina Sisu, Oleai, parts of southern Garapan, Gualo Rai, Susupe, As Lito, and As Perdido.

CUC then advised consumers in those areas at that time to avoid drinking the water and until the concentrations of PFOS and PFOA are below the health advisory level.

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NONE INJURED DURING NITRIC ACID SPILL AT RTI SURGICAL IN MARQUETTE
https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/content/news/None-injured-during-Nitric-acid-spill-at-RTI-Surgical-in-Marquette-567112761.html
Tags: us_MI, laboratory, release, response, nitric_acid

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) - RTI Surgical in Marquette is closed until further notice after a chemical leak in the building Saturday morning around 8 a.m.

The chemical that was spilled, Nitric acid, is used by RTI Surgical in their production.

The Marquette City Fire Department first responded to a call of a Heat Treat Furnace that filled the building with a chemical smell. There was an active chemical leak in the building, which filled parts with an orange plume of smoke, as well as a clear liquid on the floor.

The building was secured and employees were transported to UP Health Systems-Marquette for treatment and release.

Fire Department officials say that no one was injured during the leak and all homes in the surrounding area are safe at this time.

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

EU MOVES TOWARD STRICT CONTROLS ON 3 PLASTICS CHEMICALS AND PFBS
https://cen.acs.org/policy/regulation/EU-moves-toward-strict-controls/98/web/2020/01
Tags: Belgium, public, discovery, environmental, plastics, toxics

The European Union is taking aim at two chemicals used in polymer production, a phthalate, and a perfluorinated compound and its salts. All are now on a list of substances that are candidates for strict regulation.


If the chemicals on the list are selected for further controls, companies would only be allowed to use them if the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) authorizes specific uses.


ECHA says it added three of the substances to the list on Jan. 16 because they are reproductive toxics. Two of these are used in the manufacture of polymers: 2-benzyl-2-dimethylamino-4‰?2-morpholinobutyrophenone and 2-methyl-1-(4-methylthiophenyl)-2-morpholinopropan-1-one. The third is diisohexyl phthalate, a chemical that is not registered for production or use in the EU. Regulators want to ensure that diisohexyl phthalate is not used as a substitute for other phthalates that are queued up for tight regulation in the EU.

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

EAST HUNTINGDON EXPLOSION INJURIES THREE, ONE LEFT IN CRITICAL CONDITION
https://www.wtrf.com/emergencies-2/east-huntingdon-explosion-injuries-three-one-left-in-critical-condition/
Tags: us_PA, industrial, explosion, injury, butane

EAST HUNTINGTON TOWNSHIP, Pa. (CNN) ‰?? Massive flames and smoke poured from a commercial garage in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania after a major explosion Friday afternoon.

Plumes of thick black smoke could be seen from miles away following the explosion that left three employees injuries with one in critical condition.

Between 50-60 firefighters, along with other first responders and a hazmat team, responded to the scene.

Officials confirmed that the explosion occurred when the employees inside were changing a butane trailer.

However, they are unclear at this time what caused the explosion.

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

OSHA FINES PES REFINERY $132K FOR PSM HAZARDS
https://www.powderbulksolids.com/news/OSHA-Fines-PES-Refinery-132K-for-PSM-Hazards-01-17-2020
Tags: us_PA, industrial, follow-up, environmental, unknown_chemical

Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) was issued several citations and fine of $132,600 this week by the U.S. Department of Labor‰??s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) after a massive fire and series of explosions at its refinery in Philadelphia, PA last June.

An investigation of the firm‰??s Grand Point Refinery complex revealed shortcomings in the site‰??s PSM program, including failure to establish or implement written procedures, insufficient hazard analysis, and inadequate inspection of process equipment for highly hazardous chemicals used in the process, the agency said in a release Friday.

‰??When employers fail to evaluate and address potential hazardous conditions associated with chemical processes, catastrophic events such as this can occur,‰?? OSHA Philadelphia Area Director Theresa Downs said in a statement. ‰??OSHA‰??s Process Safety Management standard requires that employers conduct regular inspections to ensure process equipment meets industry standards.‰??

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7 STUDENTS EVALUATED BY EMS AFTER INCIDENT DURING CHEMISTRY CLASS AT ASHLEY HALL SCHOOL
https://www.live5news.com/2020/01/16/hazmat-crews-first-responders-present-private-downtown-charleston-school/
Tags: us_SC, education, release, injury, unknown_chemical

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Hazmat crews and emergency personnel responded to the Ashley Hall School in downtown Charleston Thursday morning for an incident during a chemistry class.

Charleston fire department spokesman Mike Julazadeh said a teacher was conducting a science experiment in a classroom just before 10 a.m. and some students started having breathing issues.

Seven students were treated by EMS and one was taken to the hospital.

‰??The issue was contained to one classroom,‰?? he said.

The school is working to notify parents about what happened at the all-girls school.

All 16 students in the classroom walked outside on their own.

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RECENT CHEMICAL SPILL SPARKS CONVERSATION ON DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
https://www.wifr.com/content/news/Recent-chemical-spill-sparks-conversation-on-disaster-preparedness-567053261.html
Tags: us_IL, industrial, follow-up, environmental

STEPHENSON COUNTY, Ill. (WIFR) -- After a dangerous chemical spill at a Freeport manufacturing plant earlier this week, Stephenson County officials are making sure everyone is prepared for cases of emergency.

The Stephenson County Health Department along with the senior volunteer program host a presentation how to create a plans, help people stay informed and have the right material in an emergency kit. Modern Plating Corporation in Freeport had a hydrochloric acid spill earlier this week. Luckily hazmat teams cleaned it up and no one was hurt, but officials want to make sure residents are prepared no matter the disaster.

‰??Most of us seem to be of the attitude that it's not going to happen here, but it's happening more and more. Most of us don't pay enough attention to what's going on around us, situational awareness is important,‰?? said Rick McDonough with the Stephenson County Health Department.

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

MAHARASHTRA GOVT ORDERS HIGH-LEVEL INQUIRY INTO TARAPUR FACTORY BLAST
https://in.news.yahoo.com/maharashtra-govt-orders-high-level-213443166.html
Tags: India, industrial, follow-up, death, pharmaceutical

THE STATE government has instituted a high-level inquiry into last week‰??s blast at a chemical factory of a pharmaceutical company in Tarapur Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), in which eight persons were killed.

The inquiry will be carried out by Konkan divisional commissioner, director of the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH) and MIDC chief fire officer.

A DISH official said the probe team is awaiting reports of preliminary inquiries conducted by the local police, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and other agencies that had granted clearances and permission to operate to A N K Pharma Private Limited, where the explosion occurred just after 7 pm on January 11. ‰??The inquiry will study the preliminary probe reports and arrive at its own conclusions on how the blast took place,‰?? the official added.

Immediately after the blast, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had ordered an audit of all chemical factories in MIDC complexes across the state.

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JOEL BLVD REOPENS AFTER CHLORINE SPILL IN LEHIGH ACRES
https://www.winknews.com/2020/01/16/chlorine-spill-due-to-crash-blocking-joel-blvd-in-lehigh-acres/
Tags: us_FL, transportation, release, response, acids, chlorine

Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District responded to a crash involving a chlorine and acid spill that blocked Joel Boulevard for several hours in Lehigh Acres Thursday.

According to the fire department‰??s tweet, firefighters were on scene along Joel Boulevard at the intersection with Country Club Parkway, where Lee County Sheriff‰??s Office created a 500-foot perimeter.

There was a roadblock along Joel Blvd. between Country Club Pkwy. and Suffolk Court for several hours before it was safe to be reopened.

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

CAMDEN PARK PAIR ARRESTED FOLLOWING EXPLOSION AT SUSPECTED DRUG LAB
https://www.9news.com.au/national/camden-park-explosion-suspected-clandestine-drug-lab-adelaide-news/2e65c615-b7a2-4d2e-bf8d-7f7102364073
Tags: Australia, public, explosion, injury, meth_lab

Two people are in hospital under police guard following an explosion at a suspected clandestine drug lab in Adelaide's south-west.
Emergency services were called to the Anzac Highway public housing complex at Camden Park around 5.30am and found significant structural damage to a bathroom.
Two people from that unit ‰?? a 46-year-old man and 36-year-old woman ‰?? were taken to hospital, the man suffering serious burns.

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

STEELWORKERS SUE EPA OVER CHANGES TO CHEMICAL SAFETY RULE
https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/19320-steelworkers-sue-epa-over-changes-to-chemical-safety-rule
Tags: us_DC, public, discovery, environmental

Washington ‰?? United Steelworkers is suing the Environmental Protection Agency and its administrator, Andrew Wheeler, over the agency‰??s recent changes to the Obama-era Chemical Disaster Rule.

In a lawsuit filed Jan. 7 in the U.S. District Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, USW is petitioning the court to restore the original text of the rule. EPA‰??s Risk Management Program Reconsideration final rule, which took effect Dec. 19, eliminated various provisions intended to prevent future incidents at chemical facilities.

The Chemical Disaster Rule amends the Risk Management Program rule for chemical facilities with the intention of:

Preventing catastrophic incidents by improving incident prevention program requirements.
Enhancing emergency preparedness to ensure coordination between facilities and local communities.
Improving information access to help the public understand the risks at RMP facilities.
Improving third-party audits at RMP facilities.
The rule was finalized Jan. 13, 2017, but was delayed numerous times before it went into effect Feb. 19, 2019. It was prompted, in part, by an April 2013 explosion at a fertilizer facility in West, TX, that killed 15 people and injured more than 260 others.

EPA contends in a Nov. 21 press release that the RMP Reconsideration rule ‰??modifies and improves the existing rule to remove burdensome, costly, unnecessary amendments while maintaining appropriate protections and ensuring first responders have access to all of the necessary safety information.‰??

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SPANISH ETHYLENE OXIDE EXPLOSION KILLS 3
https://cen.acs.org/business/petrochemicals/Spanish-ethylene-oxide-explosion-kills/98/i3
Tags: Spain, industrial, explosion, death, ethylene_oxide

An explosion at an ethylene oxide plant operated by Iqoxe near Tarragona, Spain, has killed three people‰??two workers and a member of the public‰??and injured seven workers. Owned by the Spanish conglomerate CL Grupo Industrial, Iqoxe is Spain‰??s only ethylene oxide producer. The plant‰??now severely damaged‰??has an annual capacity of 140,000 metric tons. Within the past year or so, Iqoxe has significantly expanded the plant at a cost of $11 million.

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