From: DCHAS Membership Chair <membership**At_Symbol_Here**DCHAS.ORG>
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Chemical Safety headlines (17 articles)
Date: Fri, 17 Jul 2020 07:39:51 -0400
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Message-ID: 291E7580-DBB3-4828-B1F0-183A1EECE5B2**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org


Chemical Safety Headlines From Google
Friday, July 17, 2020 at 7:39:27 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 (17 articles)

NEW EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS TO BRING NONTOXIC AMMUNITION
Tags: us_IN, laboratory, discovery, environmental, dust

ATTEMPT TO MAKE HAND SANITIZER ENDS IN CHEMICAL ACCIDENT, PERSON SEVERELY BURNED, FIRE OFFICIALS SAY
Tags: us_FL, industrial, explosion, response, other_chemical

SEMI-TRUCK HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL FIRE AT AN AMAZON WAREHOUSE UNDER CONTROL
Tags: us_AZ, transportation, fire, response, unknown_chemical

ONE PERSON ASSESSED BY PARAMEDICS AFTER POOL CHEMICAL MISHAP AT LOWERTOWN POOL
Tags: Canada, public, release, response, pool_chemicals

GARBAGE TRUCK'S NATURAL GAS TANK EXPLODES IN LE ROY
Tags: us_NY, transportation, explosion, response, natural_gas

VISAKHA SOLVENTS‰?? EXPLOSION WAS RESULT OF NEGLIGENCE BY CHEMISTS ON SHIFT, RULES EXPERT PANEL
Tags: India, industrial, follow-up, death, other_chemical, solvent

BURNING SHIPS IN IRAN ADD TO STRING OF DOZENS OF EXPLOSIONS AND FIRES
Tags: Iran, public, fire, response, unknown_chemical

CLYDE BUILDING EXPLOSION RESULT OF CHEMICAL EXPERIMENT
Tags: us_UT, laboratory, explosion, injury, other_chemical

38 SAILORS INJURED IN USS BONHOMME RICHARD FIRE; NO THREAT TO SHIP‰??S FUEL TANKS
Tags: us_CA, industrial, fire, injury, unknown_chemical

6 PEOPLE INJURED IN MASSIVE FIRE AT MAZUT PIPELINE ON CAIRO-ISMAILIA ROAD
Tags: Egypt, transportation, explosion, injury, petroleum

CREWS RESPOND TO HAZMAT SPILL IN MILLVALE ‰?? CBS PITTSBURGH
Tags: us_PA, public, release, response, oxidizer

SERIES OF ACCIDENTS IN VIZAG A MATTER OF GREAT CONCERN: PAWAN KALYAN
Tags: India, industrial, explosion, death, oils, plastics, solvent

RABBIT EARS PASS REOPENS, RESIDENTS RETURN TO HOMES AFTER CHEMICAL SPILL (WITH VIDEO)
Tags: us_CO, transportation, release, injury, methanol

UAPD: ELECTRICAL COMPUTER ENGINEERING BUILDING EVACUATES DUE TO CHEMICAL GAS LEAK
Tags: us_AZ, laboratory, release, response, silane

FIVE COUNTRIES COLLABORATE TO INFORM STAKEHOLDERS ON ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS
Tags: Belgium, public, discovery, environmental

OVERCOMING THE REGULATORY HURDLES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF HAND SANITIZER FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PROTECTION: THE UK AND US ACADEMIC PERSPECTIVE
Tags: laboratory, discovery, environmental, cleaners

CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE UK TACKLE HERCULEAN TASK OF REOPENING
Tags: United_Kingdom, laboratory, discovery, environmental


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

NEW EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS TO BRING NONTOXIC AMMUNITION
https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2020/Q3/new-explosive-materials-to-bring-nontoxic-ammunition.html
Tags: us_IN, laboratory, discovery, environmental, dust

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. ‰?? Every time a gun fires, lead leaches into the air. A scientific advancement could provide a comparable replacement for lead-based explosive materials found in ammunition, protecting soldiers and the environment from potential toxic effects.

Purdue University researchers, in collaboration with the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command‰??s Army Research Laboratory, developed two new lead-free materials that function as primary explosives, which are used to ignite powder inside a gun cartridge.

The work, funded by the Army Research Office, appears in a paper published in Chemistry ‰?? A European Journal.

‰??Right now, whenever you are shooting, you‰??re going to be spreading lead into the air around you,‰?? said Davin Piercey, a Purdue assistant professor of materials engineering and mechanical engineering. ‰??Any use of lead is going to end up polluting the environment in small amounts. The more lead you remove, the better it is for the environment.‰??

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

ATTEMPT TO MAKE HAND SANITIZER ENDS IN CHEMICAL ACCIDENT, PERSON SEVERELY BURNED, FIRE OFFICIALS SAY
https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/attempt-to-make-hand-sanitizer-ends-in-chemical-accident-person-severely-burned-fire-officials-say
Tags: us_FL, industrial, explosion, response, other_chemical

TITUSVILLE, Fla. - One person has been severely burned after a company had a chemical accident while attempting to create hand sanitizer, fire officials say

The Titusville Fire Department says that the explosion occurred on Chaffee Drive.

FOX 35's Mike Magnoli visited the scene and found that a chemical accident occurred involving hand sanitizer. Ocean Potion, a company known for tanning lotion, was trying to make hand sanitizer.

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

SEMI-TRUCK HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL FIRE AT AN AMAZON WAREHOUSE UNDER CONTROL
https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/amazon-warehouse-chemical-fire/75-58e77c3a-839c-43c7-a3dc-1065a1ed16c3
Tags: us_AZ, transportation, fire, response, unknown_chemical

The Phoenix fire department was dispatched to a trailer on fire next to an Amazon warehouse facility Thursday morning.

Fire personnel received complaints of a chemical odor as far as half a mile away starting at 7 a.m.

Hazardous material units were sent to those areas to meter the area with their hazardous material tools. A reverse 911 was sent out to the surrounding areas for residents notifying them of shelter-in-place orders and asking them to turn of air conditioning units. Residents were later allowed to resume air conditioning use.

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

ONE PERSON ASSESSED BY PARAMEDICS AFTER POOL CHEMICAL MISHAP AT LOWERTOWN POOL
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/one-person-assessed-by-paramedics-after-pool-chemical-mishap-at-lowertown-pool
Tags: Canada, public, release, response, pool_chemicals

One person was assessed by paramedics after a chemical reaction during pool maintenance at a Lowertown community centre Thursday morning created dangerous gases that prompted people to flee the building.

Ottawa Fire Services got a 911 call at 11:05 a.m. reporting a strong chlorine odour at 40 Cobourg St. that was irritating the eyes and throats of people in the building.

One person assessed by paramedics after pool chemical mishap at Lowertown pool

A fire dispatcher advised the caller to evacuate the building. Arriving firefighters in protective gear entered to help everyone get out safely and remained with people outside until paramedics arrived.

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

GARBAGE TRUCK'S NATURAL GAS TANK EXPLODES IN LE ROY
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/jamestown/public-safety/2020/07/16/garbage-truck-natural-gas-tank-explodes-after-hitting-bridge-in-le-roy
Tags: us_NY, transportation, explosion, response, natural_gas

A scary scene in Genesee County on Wednesday, after a garbage truck hit a bridge it was passing under, causing the truck's natural gas tank to explode.

It happened near the intersection of Mill Street and Route 19 in Le Roy.

The garbage truck was fueled by natural gas.

Firefighters say the impact caused one tank to completely explode and the others leaked, causing a hazmat situation.

Spectrum News has been told the driver of the truck was rattled, but otherwise unhurt.

A witness who was working in a shop about 100 yards away says the explosion knocked him backwards against his toolbox.

"I was working on a truck, we had another guy, the driver in the truck, and I was looking for a problem with the truck. and then it just happened. I thought the truck is what blew up, but no," said Robert Irvine II of Le Roy. "Then I come running out and I see this here and then I see a propane tank doing this, I told everybody 'get the frick back and call 911.'"

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

VISAKHA SOLVENTS‰?? EXPLOSION WAS RESULT OF NEGLIGENCE BY CHEMISTS ON SHIFT, RULES EXPERT PANEL
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/visakha-solvents-explosion-was-result-of-negligence-by-chemists-on-shift-rules-expert-panel/story-PowwvHbNqbH62XKIVjTyrL.html
Tags: India, industrial, follow-up, death, other_chemical, solvent

The explosion of a solvent recovery reactor in Visakha Solvents Limited at Parawada on the outskirts of Visakhapatnam on Monday night was due to negligence in rectifying a technical snag on time by the chemists on duty, a five-member inquiry committee reported on Wednesday.

A 44-year old chemist Kandregula Srinivasa Rao was charred to death and another chemist T Malleshwar Rao (34) sustained severe burn injuries while three others escaped with minor injuries in the explosion of the reactor in the chemical plant.

The committee led by a senior engineer from Visakhapatnam Steel Plant J S S Reddy conducted an inquiry into the accident and submitted its preliminary report to Visakhapatnam district collector Vinay Chand.

According to the report, the accident occurred on the first floor of the solvent recovery plant in Reactor No. 102, under the process of distillation of Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO), which was supplied by Hyderabad-based company Pratik industries.

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

BURNING SHIPS IN IRAN ADD TO STRING OF DOZENS OF EXPLOSIONS AND FIRES
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/15/world/middleeast/iran-ships-fire-explosions.html
Tags: Iran, public, fire, response, unknown_chemical

A large fire broke out at a shipyard in the southern Iranian port city of Bushehr on Wednesday, burning seven ships and sending plumes of black smoke billowing above the city skyline, according to videos and Iranian media reports.

The fire followed dozens of recent fires and explosions across Iran‰??s forests, factories and military and nuclear facilities in the past three months that have rattled ordinary Iranians. Iranian officials have said that some of the episodes may have been acts of sabotage but blamed weather, accidents and equipment malfunctions for the others.

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

CLYDE BUILDING EXPLOSION RESULT OF CHEMICAL EXPERIMENT
https://universe.byu.edu/2020/07/15/clyde-building-explosion-result-of-chemical-experiment/
Tags: us_UT, laboratory, explosion, injury, other_chemical

An experiment in the BYU Clyde Building resulted in a chemical explosion Wednesday afternoon. One person was transported to the hospital for evaluation and treatment.

Provo Fire & Rescue Public Information Officer Capt. Sam Armstrong said the explosion was the result of an experiment involving hydrochloride acid that had a ‰??greater effect than anticipated.‰??

‰??The lab‰??s containment hood and decontamination shower are the real heroes today,‰?? Armstrong said. ‰??That made it very straightforward and quickly managed for the fire department.‰??

He said the only damage from the explosion was the sides of the containment hood being pushed out.

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

38 SAILORS INJURED IN USS BONHOMME RICHARD FIRE; NO THREAT TO SHIP‰??S FUEL TANKS
https://www.stripes.com/news/us/38-sailors-injured-in-uss-bonhomme-richard-fire-no-threat-to-ship-s-fuel-tanks-1.637455
Tags: us_CA, industrial, fire, injury, unknown_chemical

WASHINGTON ‰?? Thirty-eight sailors have now been injured fighting the fire aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard as crews have managed to stop flames from reaching the ship‰??s fuel supply, Navy officials said Tuesday.

Rear Adm. Philip Sobeck, the commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 3, which includes the Bonhomme Richard, said 38 sailors and 23 civilians had been treated for minor injuries, and no personnel were in the hospital now. Originally 17 sailors had been hospitalized Sunday due to minor injuries such as heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation from the fire aboard the amphibious assault ship. The five sailors who had remained hospitalized into Monday for observation have been released.

Yet, more than 48 hours after the fire started, firefighters were still combating two fires on different ends of the ship, Sobeck said.

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

6 PEOPLE INJURED IN MASSIVE FIRE AT MAZUT PIPELINE ON CAIRO-ISMAILIA ROAD
https://menafn.com/1100483528/6-people-injured-in-massive-fire-at-mazut-pipeline-on-Cairo-Ismailia-road
Tags: Egypt, transportation, explosion, injury, petroleum

(MENAFN - Daily News Egypt) A total six people were injured after a major fire broke out at a mazut pipeline on Cairo-Ismailia road on Tuesday night, according to the Health Ministry.

The ministry added that the injured were transferred instantly to the nearest hospital.

About 18 fire engines were directed to the site, in an effort to contain the fire and preventing further spread to neighbouring areas. All roads leading to the Cairo-Ismailia desert road were closed until containing the fire.

Official sources said Minister of Petroleum Tarek El-Molla has headed to the fire site, adding that an investigation will be opened into the incident.

The sources said the initial examination indicates a possible leakage from a broken mazut pipeline, which led to a sudden explosion.

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

CREWS RESPOND TO HAZMAT SPILL IN MILLVALE ‰?? CBS PITTSBURGH
https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2020/07/14/evergreen-road-millvale-hazmat-spill/
Tags: us_PA, public, release, response, oxidizer

MILLVALE, Pa. (KDKA) ‰?? Fire and police were on the scene of a HAZMAT spill in Millvale.

The Millvale Fire Department said Evergreen Road was temporarily closed between Hawthorne Road and Hansen Street on Tuesday.

Police say there was a chemical spill, and crews were on the scene for hours cleaning up. Officials say approximately 100 gallons of oxidizer leaked from the container and went into the sewer system and creek.

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

SERIES OF ACCIDENTS IN VIZAG A MATTER OF GREAT CONCERN: PAWAN KALYAN
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/series-of-accidents-in-vizag-a-matter-of-great-concern-pawan-kalyan-1700650-2020-07-15
Tags: India, industrial, explosion, death, oils, plastics, solvent

Actor-turned-politician and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan expressed concern over "series of accidents" that are taking place in the industrial areas spread across Gajuwaka and Parawada centres in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam.

Pawan Kalyan also pointed out the recent accidents at LG Polymers and Sainor Pharma plants that left several people dead and questioned the third accident that took place on Monday in the district.

One person died after a series of explosions triggered a massive fire at a chemical plant in Visakhapatnam on Monday. The fire accident at Ramky CETP Solvent‰??s building in Pharma City had already led to several injuries after an explosion was heard late on Monday night.

‰??‰??Why are these series of accidents happening? Why are they not following security norms? Why is the government showing indifference? What are the people‰??s representatives doing? These questions are being raised in every individual‰??s mind. Shouldn't there be strong security measures when they are storing dangerous and potentially explosive oils and chemicals? The government will need to explain to the people why the explosion took place when there are full-proof security arrangements," Pawan Kalyan said.

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

RABBIT EARS PASS REOPENS, RESIDENTS RETURN TO HOMES AFTER CHEMICAL SPILL (WITH VIDEO)
https://www.steamboatpilot.com/news/rabbit-ears-pass-closes-due-to-chemical-spill/
Tags: us_CO, transportation, release, injury, methanol

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS ‰?? U.S. Highway 40 over Rabbit Ears Pass was closed at around 1 p.m. Tuesday due to a chemical spill. By 6:40 p.m., the highway was opened to alternating lanes of traffic.

According to the Routt County Sheriff‰??s Office, a vehicle crash resulted in a chemical spill on the highway between mileposts 140 and 141, close to the base of the pass south of Steamboat Springs. A west-bound semi with a box trailer crossed into the east-bound lane of traffic and rolled approximately 75 feet down the embankment landing on its roof against some trees, according to county officials.


The driver, who was later transported to UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center, identified the chemical as methanol, a type of alcohol that is mostly used to create fuel, solvents and antifreeze. It is a colorless liquid, flammable and poisonous for human consumption. The truck was carrying about 38,000 pounds of the substance.

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

UAPD: ELECTRICAL COMPUTER ENGINEERING BUILDING EVACUATES DUE TO CHEMICAL GAS LEAK
https://www.kgun9.com/news/local-news/uapd-electrical-computer-engineering-building-evacuates-due-to-chemical-gas-leak
Tags: us_AZ, laboratory, release, response, silane

The University of Arizona Police Department is investigating a chemical gas leak on campus Tuesday.

The Electrical Computer Engineering building on Speedway has evacuated, according to UAPD.

Tucson Fire Department worked alongside UAPD to find and seal a silane gas leak, according to TFD. The building has been secured.

Anyone in the area is asked to avoid 2nd Street and Palm Drive, and to follow the direction of emergency personnel on scene.

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

FIVE COUNTRIES COLLABORATE TO INFORM STAKEHOLDERS ON ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS
https://sdg.iisd.org/news/five-countries-collaborate-to-inform-stakeholders-on-endocrine-disruptors/
Tags: Belgium, public, discovery, environmental

Five EU Member States are collaborating on a website to inform stakeholders about the status of substances identified as endocrine disruptors or under evaluation for endocrine disrupting properties within the EU.National Authorities in Belgium, Denmark, France, the Netherlands and Sweden are compiling information to improve knowledge about endocrine disruptors and increase transparency, coherence, consistency, and coordination across legislative areas. The website details information in two lists, based on EU regulations for REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals), the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR), Plant Protection Products Regulation (PPPR), and cosmetic products. A third hazard-based list (List III) details substances proposed by an individual National Authority with possible endocrine disrupting properties.

More specifically, List I includes substances that have undergone an evaluation of endocrine disrupting properties and which are identified as endocrine disruptors at the EU level. List II contains substances currently under evaluation in an EU legislative process due to concerns for possible endocrine disrupting properties, or as part of the mandatory process for approval or renewal.

List III contains substances, proposed by an individual National Authority and considered endocrine disruptors at the national level in one of the participating countries. These substances are not necessarily supported by other Member States or considered endocrine disruptors at the EU level. The European Commission (EC) or Member States may decide at a later stage to further evaluate these substances.

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

OVERCOMING THE REGULATORY HURDLES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF HAND SANITIZER FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PROTECTION: THE UK AND US ACADEMIC PERSPECTIVE
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.chas.0c00065
Tags: laboratory, discovery, environmental, cleaners

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an acute shortage of hand sanitizer, which is crucial to keeping people safe and to preventing the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, universities across the world have used their expertise to help to meet urgent demand from public bodies and the emergency services for supplies of safe and effective sanitizer. We explore here the experience of the University of Bristol, UK, in negotiating the regulatory demands and logistical challenges facing its own sanitizer production efforts. We also reflect on the different regulatory situation for US colleagues pursuing similar activities, and we share our advice for other universities wishing to follow a similar path.

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

CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE UK TACKLE HERCULEAN TASK OF REOPENING
https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/chemistry-departments-across-the-uk-tackle-herculean-task-of-reopening/4012140.article
Tags: United_Kingdom, laboratory, discovery, environmental

Lockdown closed virtually every chemistry department in the UK. The only exceptions were for essential maintenance, those making hand sanitiser and Covid-19 research projects. As restrictions are eased, reopening labs across the country has meant a great deal of hard work to make sure government guidelines are followed and researchers feel safe.

Most chemistry departments are now up and running again. Careful planning and focused consultation has been key. This has involved continuous communication between research staff, estates managers and health and safety departments, as well as sharing of good practice between UK chemistry departments.

Most researchers and students are glad to be back too, albeit in much-changed surroundings. Many are supported by time-limited funding, and their future careers depend on results that can only be achieved in the lab.

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

---
For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org
Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchas

Previous post   |  Top of Page   |   Next post



The content of this page reflects the personal opinion(s) of the author(s) only, not the American Chemical Society, ILPI, Safety Emporium, or any other party. Use of any information on this page is at the reader's own risk. Unauthorized reproduction of these materials is prohibited. Send questions/comments about the archive to secretary@dchas.org.
The maintenance and hosting of the DCHAS-L archive is provided through the generous support of Safety Emporium.