From: Ralph Stuart <membership**At_Symbol_Here**DCHAS.ORG>
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Chemical Safety headlines (13 articles)
Date: Mon, 11 Oct 2021 06:23:43 -0400
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Message-ID: CEAE73EC-60C2-4F9D-88E3-2DD5A0D2F213**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org


Chemical Safety Headlines From Google
Monday, October 11, 2021 at 6:23:31 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 (13 articles)

NO INJURIES REPORTED AFTER AMMONIA LEAK AT SMITHFIELD PLANT IN ST. JAMES
Tags: us_MN, industrial, release, response, ammonia

CAR CRASHES INTO GLENDALE GAS LINE, PROMPTING HAZMAT SITUATION
Tags: us_AZ, public, release, response, natural_gas

MAJORITY OF ORANGE COUNTY BEACHES UNDER ‰??SOFT CLOSURE‰?? ORDERS ‰?? CBS LOS ANGELES
Tags: us_CA, public, follow-up, environmental, oils

OFFICIALS WORKING TO OFFLOAD CHEMICAL AFTER TANKER OVERTURNS
Tags: us_TX, transportation, release, response, flammables

UCONN: MIXED CHEMICALS DURING LAB CLEANING LED TO HAZMAT EVACUTION
Tags: us_CT, laboratory, release, response, unknown_chemical

WILSON COUNTY RESPONDERS TREATED FOR SYMPTOMS AS HAZMAT EXPOSURE SUSPECTED
Tags: us_TN, public, release, injury, drugs

2ND SPILL IN WEEKS AT US STEEL NEAR INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK
Tags: us_IN, industrial, release, response, petroleum

SMALL UREA SPILL CLEANED UP NEAR VIADUCT
Tags: us_MT, transportation, release, response, diesel

CHEMICAL EXPLOSION IN NE PORTLAND, 1 PERSON INJURED
Tags: us_OR, industrial, explosion, injury, unknown_chemical

HAZMAT SITUATION CLOSES I-270WB NEAR US 62 IN SOUTHWEST FRANKLIN COUNTY
Tags: us_OH, transportation, release, response, unknown_chemical

INJURIES, HAZMAT SPILL FOLLOW COLLISION BETWEEN TWO TRACTOR-TRAILERS ON NEW YORK STATE THWY
Tags: us_NY, transportation, release, injury, flammables

JOINT TEAM TO INVESTIGATE KIBAGABAGA HOSPITAL FIRE
Tags: Rwanda, laboratory, fire, response, unknown_chemical

SAFETY DAY SETS THE STANDARD FOR INCOMING CHEMISTRY GRADUATE STUDENTS
Tags: us_CT, laboratory, discovery, environmental


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NO INJURIES REPORTED AFTER AMMONIA LEAK AT SMITHFIELD PLANT IN ST. JAMES
https://news.yahoo.com/no-injuries-reported-ammonia-leak-233100711.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAEbXYBO4r7BAolCoQh0IZlMhFgg2WyotvBlxWYTSUTUPq1XFJVlsKFSFoONi7q8Qa7U1H2rJ8Wyx5pkqBAM4jhyAKSFeLSt2iNNENUG-h07m6DVyvRgOXwVW1VeVLIB-bWMcN-yhX0MzYOxadzmtLU_D-TshjThoCeCcLuEhekMt
Tags: us_MN, industrial, release, response, ammonia

Oct. 9‰??ST. JAMES ‰?? An ammonia leak Friday at the Smithfield Foods plant in St. James resulted in no reported injuries, according to a release from the St. James Police Department.

Police, fire and ambulance crews responded to the scene at 8:47 p.m. after receiving reports of an anhydrous ammonia leak inside the plant.

Exposure levels were found to be low on the northeast side of town near the plant, the release stated. Some residents left their homes following reports of the leak, although ammonia levels reportedly weren't strong enough to force any evacuations.

The ammonia was contained after a hazmat team from Smithfield shut off the leak inside the building.

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

CAR CRASHES INTO GLENDALE GAS LINE, PROMPTING HAZMAT SITUATION
https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/car-crashes-into-glendale-gas-line-prompting-hazmat-situation
Tags: us_AZ, public, release, response, natural_gas

GLENDALE, Ariz. - A Glendale driver hit a gas line Saturday afternoon and it prompted a hazardous materials response from Glendale Fire crews, the department said.

The crash happened near Glendale and 67th avenues.

"Haz Mat crews have secured the leak and are checking for any residual gas readings," the department said.

No further information is available.

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

MAJORITY OF ORANGE COUNTY BEACHES UNDER ‰??SOFT CLOSURE‰?? ORDERS ‰?? CBS LOS ANGELES
https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2021/10/09/majority-of-orange-county-beaches-under-soft-closure-orders/
Tags: us_CA, public, follow-up, environmental, oils

NEWPORT BEACH (CBSLA) ‰?? Along the Orange County coastline, a majority of beaches are under ‰??soft closures,‰?? which allow people access to the beach, but prohibit entering the water while crews continue with oil spill cleanup.

‰??We got all these guys with hazmat suits on, and I don‰??t know what they‰??re doing out here because the beach is beautiful, the water is beautiful, it‰??s a beautiful day,‰?? said Colorado native Alex Chaffetz, whose family was vacationing in Newport Beach Saturday.

Southwest Airlines Issues Travel Advisory Due To Weather, Traffic Control Issues
Crews wearing personal protective gear were busy picking up excess oil and tar balls that may have washed ashore.

‰??Just not seeing any oil, thankfully,‰?? said Chaffetz, who added that he was comfortable allowing his to play at the waters edge. ‰??Show me the oil. I just don‰??t see it.‰??

Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley was also out on the beaches, reminding people to stay out of the water.

‰??Even if you can‰??t see oil, it‰??s there. So, please don‰??t get in the water,‰?? Foley said.

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

OFFICIALS WORKING TO OFFLOAD CHEMICAL AFTER TANKER OVERTURNS
https://www.cbs19.tv/article/news/local/officials-working-to-offload-toxic-flammable-chemical-after-tanker-overturns/501-82dc0ae6-c880-47cd-800c-95bed7ae08a2
Tags: us_TX, transportation, release, response, flammables

ATHENS, Texas ‰?? The City of Athens has blocked of roadways after a tanker overturned Friday night.
According to the city, around 9 p.m., a tanker heading south on Highway 19, just north of Athens, tipped over while entering the eastbound ramp of Loop 7. The tanker truck began releasing propylene ‰?? a fuel gas that is both flammable and toxic.
The police and fire department set up a command station and implemented a one-mile evacuation surrounding the wreck site.
As of 12:45 p.m., officials are working to offload the propylene and the utmost care is being taken to safely resolve this issue.

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

UCONN: MIXED CHEMICALS DURING LAB CLEANING LED TO HAZMAT EVACUTION
https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/UConn-Suspected-hazmat-incident-under-16520353.php?src=sthpdesecp
Tags: us_CT, laboratory, release, response, unknown_chemical

STORRS ‰?? Part of the University of Connecticut campus was evacuated Friday evening for a hazardous materials situation after a lab cleanup went wrong.

Stephanie Reitz, a spokeswoman for UConn, said the person cleaning the lab accidentally mixed two chemicals together, causing the container to rupture and ‰??creating an odor in that fourth-floor room and nearby.‰??

The entire building was evacuated and UConn emergency personnel were called to the scene a little after 4 p.m., according to Reitz. One person was evaluated at the scene, but no injuries were reported. The building was not damaged, Reitz said.

The university sent out an alert that was also broadcast on social media asking people to avoid the area. By 5:42 p.m. university officials said the incident was under control, but continued to ask people to avoid the area because emergency personnel were working at the scene.

The science complex was reopened around 6:30 p.m., but the fourth floor remained closed while UConn authorities cleaned the lab. The floor was later reopened but the lab will remain closed through the weekend, Reitz said.

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

WILSON COUNTY RESPONDERS TREATED FOR SYMPTOMS AS HAZMAT EXPOSURE SUSPECTED
https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/wilson/2021/10/08/wilson-county-responders-treated-symptoms-hazmat-exposure-suspected/6055288001/
Tags: us_TN, public, release, injury, drugs

WEMA was called to a camper home at the 8600 block of State Route 109 because of an unresponsive female, according to a police report. The report states there was suspicion that the woman "was exposed to a possible meth lab on the premise."

A paramedic and Advanced EMT determined a need to take the woman outside because environment inside the residence, WEMA B Shift Commander Lee Bowling said.

The WEMA paramedic and EMT became dizzy and lightheaded on the call.

‰??They realized their thought processes were not formulating, they were groggy and unable to focus and needed to back out of the scene,‰?? Bowling said.

A second medical team arrived, Bowling said.

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

2ND SPILL IN WEEKS AT US STEEL NEAR INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK
https://www.wthr.com/article/tech/science/environment/2nd-spill-in-weeks-at-us-steel-near-dunes-national-park-indiana-contamination-closure-location-price-entry/531-3b98cb1a-0ef9-4834-bd48-3abfeea4c7d9
Tags: us_IN, industrial, release, response, petroleum

PORTAGE, Ind. ‰?? A second spill in less than two weeks at a U.S. Steel plant in northwest Indiana sent an oily sheen onto a Lake Michigan tributary, prompting officials to close some nearby lake access as a precaution.
The sheen was detected Thursday morning on Burns Waterway outside the U.S. Steel Midwest plant in Portage, about 30 miles east of Chicago.
Company spokeswoman Amanda Malkowski said that by 8 p.m. Thursday, it was no longer present on the tributary, and an existing boom had contained the sheen in an estimated 120-square-foot area.
Indiana Dunes National Park closed some access to the lake Thursday, and Ogden Dunes also shut down access to the lake from its beach. Indiana environmental officials are investigating.

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

SMALL UREA SPILL CLEANED UP NEAR VIADUCT
https://www.havredailynews.com/story/2021/10/08/local/small-urea-spill-cleaned-up-near-viaduct/535682.html
Tags: us_MT, transportation, release, response, diesel

MDT Havre Superintendent Rob Gregory said a 250 gallon tote of the chemical, which is a diesel additive, was being transported in a flatbed pickup truck and it fell out while crossing the viaduct and spilled some of its contents.

Gregory said the chemical in question was not hazardous in the quantity that spilled and MDT and the Havre Fire Department got the area cordoned off and cleaned up quickly.

The Havre Fire Department command unit, a fire engine and an ambulance were dispatched at 10:02 a.m. Thursday to the chemical spill at Seventh Avenue and First Street. Havre Fire Department assessed the scene and blocked traffic until Montana Department of Transportation crews arrived and spread sand on the fluid to soak it up.

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

CHEMICAL EXPLOSION IN NE PORTLAND, 1 PERSON INJURED
https://www.koin.com/local/multnomah-county/chemical-explosion-ne-portland-hazmat-team-10082021/
Tags: us_OR, industrial, explosion, injury, unknown_chemical

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) ‰?? At least one person was hurt in a chemical explosion at a Northeast Portland commercial building, PF&R officials said.

A drum exploded due to a chemical reaction of some kind, injuring one person in the process, at Pentagon Industries at NE 112th and Airport Way, PF&R said. Officials said there was no fire.

The extent of the damage is unknown at this time. A hazmat team responded to the scene.

The injured person was rushed to a hospital by ambulance, but officials said the injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

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

HAZMAT SITUATION CLOSES I-270WB NEAR US 62 IN SOUTHWEST FRANKLIN COUNTY
https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/franklin-county/hazmat-situation-closes-i-270wb-near-us-62/
Tags: us_OH, transportation, release, response, unknown_chemical

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ohio (WCMH) ‰?? I-270 westbound in southwest Franklin County was closed for several hours due to a hazmat situation, Thursday.

The Franklin County Sheriff‰??s Office says says a driver reported a possible leak coming from his semi-truck on I-270WB near U.S. 62.

The roadway was closed for multiple hours but has since reopened.

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

INJURIES, HAZMAT SPILL FOLLOW COLLISION BETWEEN TWO TRACTOR-TRAILERS ON NEW YORK STATE THWY
https://localaccidentreports.com/liverpool-ny-injuries-hazmat-spill-follow-collision-between-two-tractor-trailers-on-new-york-state-thwy/
Tags: us_NY, transportation, release, injury, flammables

Liverpool, NY (October 07, 2021) ‰?? An accident involving two tractor-trailers took place on the New York State Thruway on Tuesday, October 5th near Liverpool.

The accident occurred at about 10:50 p.m. in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 90 near mile marker 286.3.

According to Onondaga County 911 Center dispatches, a flammable liquid spilled from one of the trucks.

The drivers of both tractor-trailers were transported to area hospitals in unknown conditions.

Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by this accident.

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

JOINT TEAM TO INVESTIGATE KIBAGABAGA HOSPITAL FIRE
https://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/joint-team-investigate-kibagabaga-hospital-fire
Tags: Rwanda, laboratory, fire, response, unknown_chemical

The government has set up a team to investigate the cause of the fire that gutted Kibagabaga Referral Hospital laboratory on Wednesday afternoon.

Preliminary reports suggest that the fire was caused by an electric circuit.


However, hospital officials said a joint team which is comprised of experts from Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), Rwanda Energy Group (REG) and Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) has been constituted to ascertain the real cause.


No deaths or injuries were reported in the fire, which broke out from a laboratory room.


‰??No one died or got injured,‰?? said the hospital‰??s Director-General, Ernest Munyemana, disclosing that investigations were launched on Wednesday.

However, management confirmed that some equipment including 23 desktops, 5 laptops, 12 printers, eight UPS and a router among other office tools were destroyed.

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

SAFETY DAY SETS THE STANDARD FOR INCOMING CHEMISTRY GRADUATE STUDENTS
https://chem.yale.edu/news/safety-day-sets-standard-incoming-chemistry-graduate-students
Tags: us_CT, laboratory, discovery, environmental

Outdoors, in the fire extinguisher training station, incoming graduate students hoisted red canisters of carbon dioxide to snuff out flames in a burn pan. Inside, in the pyrophoric reagents station, they witnessed a safe transfer of a highly flammable chemical from one flask to another via a Iuer-syringe and balloons. And at the gas cylinder station, they watched gas escape from a pressure vessel ‰?? a potential hazard for fires, explosions, poisoning, and cold or chemical burns.

Dangerous scenarios were staged across the six teaching labs and courtyard of the Sterling Chemistry Laboratory (SCL) on Aug. 30 for the 7th annual Safety Day, emphasizing an eye-opening reality: chemists must practice safety precautions vigilantly when conducting hazardous research.

‰??Safety Day is an annual event put on by the Yale Chemistry Joint Safety Team (JST) and Yale Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) to promote safety culture through resources, demos, and trainings,‰?? said Jessica Freeze. ‰??For the incoming graduate students, it is their first exposure to safety in the department and serves to set the standard they should expect throughout their time here.‰??

- jessica freeze, fifth-year phd candidate, president of jst, and event co-chair

The experience, like all health, safety, and environmental protection at Yale, was a team effort.

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