From: Ralph Stuart <membership**At_Symbol_Here**DCHAS.ORG>
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Chemical Safety headlines (12 articles)
Date: Mon, 21 Mar 2022 04:55:00 -0400
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Message-ID: 725DD2D8-3603-4D8A-8BFB-0E042692D845**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org


Chemical Safety Headlines From Google
Monday, March 21, 2022 at 4:54:37 AM

A service of the ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety
Connecting Chemistry and Safety at http://www.dchas.org
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Table of Contents (12 articles)

HAZMAT SQUADS LOOKING INTO PLUME FROM LA CHEMICAL PLANT
Tags: us_CA, industrial, release, response, resin

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INCIDENT CONTINUES FOR OVER 24 HOURS; CLEAN-UP AND REPAIRS COULD CONTINUE THROUGH THE WEEKEND ' MIDJERSEY.NEWS
Tags: us_NJ, public, release, response, ammonia

MAN ARRESTED AFTER EXPLOSIVE DEVICE, MATERIALS FOUND IN PLEASANT HILL: POLICE ' NBC BAY AREA
Tags: us_CA, public, discovery, response, bomb, explosives

INDUSTRIAL FIRE CONTAINED AT BARBERTON STEEL INDUSTRIES
Tags: us_OH, laboratory, fire, response, metals

PUNE: EIGHT SUSTAIN BURN INJURIES IN FIRE AT SCRAP-PROCESSING UNIT
Tags: India, industrial, fire, injury, used_oil, waste

CHINA FLEET COUNTRY CLUB EXPLAINS CHEMICAL INCIDENT WHICH SPARKED 'HAZ-MAT' RESPONSE
Tags: United_Kingdom, industrial, release, response, chlorine, pool_chemicals

HAZMAT CREWS CLEAN UP CHEMICAL SPILL AT ROHNERT PARK CREAMERY ' CBS SAN FRANCISCO
Tags: us_CA, industrial, release, response, nitric_acid, phosphoric_acid

RACIAL INEQUALITY REPORT HIGHLIGHTS 'ALARMING' LOSS OF ETHNIC MINORITY CHEMISTS
Tags: United_Kingdom, education, discovery, environmental

'A WONDERFUL ACCOMPLISHMENT': SUCCESS FOR CLEANUP OF NIGERIA'S DEADLY LEAD POLLUTION
Tags: Nigeria, public, follow-up, environmental, lead

FIRE CREWS RESPOND TO SALTASH 'HAZMAT' INCIDENT
Tags: United_Kingdom, public, release, environmental, unknown_chemical

70 RESIDENTS EVACUATED, STREETS CLOSED FOLLOWING CHEMICAL SPILL IN TRENTON
Tags: us_NJ, public, release, response, unknown_chemical

CHEMICAL LEAK IN ATWATER VILLAGE PROMPTS EVACUATION, HAZMAT RESPONSE
Tags: us_CA, industrial, release, injury, epoxy


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HAZMAT SQUADS LOOKING INTO PLUME FROM LA CHEMICAL PLANT
https://www.avpress.com/news/hazmat-squads-looking-into-plume-from-la-chemical-plant/article_ae95dd58-a7f9-11ec-92ab-eb679a75a2a3.html
Tags: us_CA, industrial, release, response, resin

LOS ANGELES ' The Los Angeles Fire Department dispatched hazardous materials squads when a chemical plant released a large pungent plume, Thursday morning, but firefighters found no harmful gases.

The building in the Atwater Village area was evacuated and there were no reports of injuries, according to city fire spokesperson Margaret Stewart.

Huntsman Corp. said in an email to The Associated Press that product venting occurred at its resin manufacturing facility after a mixing vessel overheated.

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HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INCIDENT CONTINUES FOR OVER 24 HOURS; CLEAN-UP AND REPAIRS COULD CONTINUE THROUGH THE WEEKEND ' MIDJERSEY.NEWS
https://midjersey.news/2022/03/17/hazardous-materials-incident-continues-for-over-24-hours-clean-up-and-repairs-could-continue-through-the-weekend/
Tags: us_NJ, public, release, response, ammonia

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)'A serious hazardous materials incident occurred yesterday involving a tank of ammonia. Federal, State and local officials, Trenton Fire Department, TEMS, Signal 22, TPD along with outside police agencies and more have responded to the incident where over 70 people have been evacuated. Repairs could go into the weekend.

The City of Trenton says, yesterday, Trenton Fire Dept. responded to a chemical spill on Tucker Street. Assisted by Trenton Police & Public Works Depts., as well as county, state, and federal officials, over 70 people were evacuated and taken to shelter'including many seniors from Munce Tower.

Other people evacuated the area with family. Officials have closed all pedestrian & vehicular traffic on Tucker St. between N. Warren and N. Willow, and on N. Willow St. between Pashley and Tucker. All area buildings are closed, including Henry J. Austin Pharmacy Department.

Residents in need of medication are being assisted by City staff. At this time, there is no reported illness caused by the spill & officials are asking residents to avoid the area until officials have deemed it safe. **At_Symbol_Here**EPA officials are monitoring. Thank you for your cooperation.

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MAN ARRESTED AFTER EXPLOSIVE DEVICE, MATERIALS FOUND IN PLEASANT HILL: POLICE ' NBC BAY AREA
https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/man-arrested-after-explosive-device-materials-found-in-pleasant-hill-police/2841813/
Tags: us_CA, public, discovery, response, bomb, explosives

A 27-year-old man was arrested Friday after Pleasant Hill police said they found bomb-making materials and explosives.

According to the Pleasant Hill Police Department, their detectives along with the Clayton Police Department were actively investigating a series of vandalisms, which occurred in both jurisdictions.

During that vandalism investigation, Pleasant Hill police said they uncovered evidence that showed the suspect was in possession of bomb-making materials and explosive devices.

At 3 p.m., Pleasant Hill police said their officers along with the Walnut Creek Police Department's bomb squad and Clayton police, executed a search warrant on the 300 block of Longbrook Way.

Police said they found explosive materials and an explosive device and about 20 residents from an apartment complex were evacuated.

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INDUSTRIAL FIRE CONTAINED AT BARBERTON STEEL INDUSTRIES
https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2022/03/18/industrial-fire-reported-barberton-steel-industries-huston/7091688001/
Tags: us_OH, laboratory, fire, response, metals

A fire at a Barberton steel company has been brought under control with no reported injuries, but emergency crews were still on scene late Friday afternoon.

Firefighters responded to a significant foundry fire around 12:30 p.m. at Barberton Steel Industries.

Firefighters said there was heavy smoke and flames shooting through a roof when when they arrived at 240 E. Huston St., between N. Van Buren Avenue and the Tuscarawas River.

Mutual aid was being called in from surrounding communities, including Akron.

Lt. Dave Polacek, with the Barberton Fire Department, said the fire was brought under control within about 30 minutes, but was not considered fully extinguished until around 3:15 p.m.

He was not sure whether there was a building collapse as initially reported, as firefighters were still working to secure the site and utility companies were isolating the property. He said that because the building houses industrial activity, there is some concern about possible hazardous materials.

He said a cause has not been determined.

The company's plant manager, Donald Dijak, said it appears that the building housing the firm's metal laboratory was destroyed. However, the fire was so hot that a bulldozer outside the lab also caught on fire.

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PUNE: EIGHT SUSTAIN BURN INJURIES IN FIRE AT SCRAP-PROCESSING UNIT
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/eight-workers-injured-fire-pune-scrap-processing-unit-7825144/
Tags: India, industrial, fire, injury, used_oil, waste

EIGHT WORKERS sustained burn injuries in an industrial scrap-processing unit in the Moshi area near Pune where used barrels of oils and chemicals were being cleaned. The incident took place around 10 am on Thursday in the unit located in Barne Vasti on Dehu Moshi Road.

Inspector Shivaji Gaware of Bhosari MIDC police station said, 'The unit processes industrial scrap. The accident took place when some people were cleaning the used oil and chemical barrels by putting them in hot water. The water was being heated over a furnace. Primary investigation suggests that a sudden fire started when residual oil or chemicals from the barrels that were cleaned came in contact with the flame of the furnace. Some people present nearby sustained burn injuries.'

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CHINA FLEET COUNTRY CLUB EXPLAINS CHEMICAL INCIDENT WHICH SPARKED 'HAZ-MAT' RESPONSE
https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/china-fleet-country-club-explains-6826074
Tags: United_Kingdom, industrial, release, response, chlorine, pool_chemicals

The managing director of the China Fleet Country Club in Saltash has confirmed it was the scene of a 'haz-mat incident' last night. The incident in question was attended to by fire crews from across Cornwall.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue initially confirmed an accidental mix of chemicals in a swimming pool had caused the issue. At the time it had stated it was an unnamed "Saltash leisure centre".

PlymouthLive can now confirm that was China Fleet Country Club. Fire crews from Saltash, Camels Head in Plymouth, Bodmin, St Austell and Launceston all responded to the incident at 9.25pm.

Managing director Dean Bennett said: "Last night a small amount of pool chemicals were inadvertently mixed together in our pool plant room, in rare circumstances this can create chlorine gas. Due to the small quantities mixed we did not experience any issues however as a precaution the fire service were called and they carried out their normal protocols for dealing with any chemical issue.

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HAZMAT CREWS CLEAN UP CHEMICAL SPILL AT ROHNERT PARK CREAMERY ' CBS SAN FRANCISCO
https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2022/03/18/rohnert-park-shelter-in-place-chemical-spill-martin-avenue/
Tags: us_CA, industrial, release, response, nitric_acid, phosphoric_acid

ROHNERT PARK (CBS SF) ' More than 200 gallons of a cleaning product were spilled at a creamery in Rohnert Park on Friday morning, prompting a hazmat response and a shelter-in-place for nearby businesses.

According to the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety, crews were called to the Straus Family Creamery at 655 Park Court shortly after 8:50 a.m.

According to authorities, a container carrying a blend of nitric acid and phosphoric acid was punctured by a forklift while it was offloaded from a semi-truck.

The chemicals are used to clean and sanitize holding tanks and transfer pipes for dairy products, officials explained. About 250 gallons of the mixture had spilled.

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RACIAL INEQUALITY REPORT HIGHLIGHTS 'ALARMING' LOSS OF ETHNIC MINORITY CHEMISTS
https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/racial-inequality-report-highlights-alarming-loss-of-ethnic-minority-chemists/4015387.article
Tags: United_Kingdom, education, discovery, environmental

In the past 10 years there's been no real improvement in the representation of Black people in academic chemistry, with Black chemists being lost at 'an alarming rate' after a first degree. Black and Asian students are less likely to go to a Russell Group university than their white peers and are more likely to be unemployed than to study afterwards, according to an analysis by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).

Launching a plan to tackle racism and discrimination in the chemical sciences, RSC chief executive Helen Pain said 'we have acknowledged some of these issues in the past, but we have not confronted them head on. We have not explicitly called out racism in science for what it is. And we have not challenged our community and ourselves to properly address our own biases.' But that, she added, is about to change.

Robert Mokaya at the University of Nottingham has been the UK's only black chemist since 2008
Robert Mokaya, professor of materials chemistry and pro-vice chancellor at the University of Nottingham ' who since 2008 has been the UK's only black professor of chemistry ' said he hoped that 'presented with the data and evidence that there will be no more excuses from within the community for anyone to not address the ratio of ethnic inequalities that exists in chemistry'.

Problem across the board
Underrepresentation runs across all senior levels in academia, with principal investigators (PIs) from minority ethnic backgrounds less likely to win research funding, while those who succeed get less ' å£320,000 compared with å£355,000 for white PIs. Regardless of ethnicity, women are lost to chemistry at all stages of progression, but the trend is particularly noticeable for Black women who make up just 16% of Black non-professorial staff.

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'A WONDERFUL ACCOMPLISHMENT': SUCCESS FOR CLEANUP OF NIGERIA'S DEADLY LEAD POLLUTION
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2022/mar/18/nigeria-child-gold-miners-lead-poisoning?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Tags: Nigeria, public, follow-up, environmental, lead

For five years, Frederick Chukwuemeze had the grim task of treating children poisoned by lead in Anka, a mining town in north-west Nigeria.

Since 2010, more than 600 children have died from lead poisoning in Zamfara state and hundreds more have been left with brain damage and physical disabilities as a result of hazardous artisanal gold mining.

'I've seen patients with continuous seizures that couldn't be controlled with any medication. Children that can't talk, can't walk. Always in bed, not knowing where they are. And then, of course, children dying. It's actually heartbreaking when we see such cases,' said Chukwuemeze.

But no child has died on his watch since October last year, thanks to a joint effort between local and international agencies that has virtually wiped out lead poisoning cases in the state.

'It's a wonderful accomplishment ' for the patients and for me,' said Chukwuemeze, who works with M̩decins Sans Fronti̬res (MSF), which was involved in the clean-up operation.

The huge effort followed an outbreak of lead poisoning in at least seven villages in Zamfara in 2010. Over six months, 400 children died in a crisis that sent shockwaves throughout the country and brought into sharp focus the dangers of mineral processing in a largely impoverished and rural area.

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FIRE CREWS RESPOND TO SALTASH 'HAZMAT' INCIDENT
https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/fire-crews-respond-saltash-hazmat-6823067
Tags: United_Kingdom, public, release, environmental, unknown_chemical

Multiple emergency service crews in Cornwall attended the scene of what was called a 'hazmat' incident, last night.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service says its crews were mobilised at 9:25pm last night (Thursday, March 17) to a 'hazmat' incident in Pill Lane in Saltash. An environmental support vehicle also responded to the night-time incident.

Crews from Saltash, Camels Head in Plymouth, Bodmin, St Austell and Launceston fire stations were all in attendance at the scene.

A spokesperson for Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said: "In total, there are four appliances, one Environmental Support Vehicle, one Incident Command Unit, and two officers in attendance." In an update given at 11:17pm, they said: "The incident commander has requested a Water Carrier to attend the scene. This has been mobilised from Liskeard Community Fire Station."

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70 RESIDENTS EVACUATED, STREETS CLOSED FOLLOWING CHEMICAL SPILL IN TRENTON
https://dailyvoice.com/new-jersey/camden/police-fire/70-residents-evacuated-streets-closed-following-chemical-spill-in-trenton/828112/
Tags: us_NJ, public, release, response, unknown_chemical

About 70 residents were evacuated and several local streets closed following a chemical spill in Trenton, authorities said.

N. Willow St. and Tucker St. were closed to all traffic ' including pedestrian traffic ' as of Thursday morning, Trenton City Hall officials confirmed on social media.

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CHEMICAL LEAK IN ATWATER VILLAGE PROMPTS EVACUATION, HAZMAT RESPONSE
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-03-17/chemical-spill-in-atwater-village-prompts-evacuation-hazmat-response
Tags: us_CA, industrial, release, injury, epoxy

A chemical leak at an industrial facility in Atwater Village on Thursday prompted a hazardous material response and sent a massive cloud of odorous smoke into the air over Northeast L.A.

Two people went to a nearby hospital with respiratory issues that may have been related, though an air quality expert noted that eye, skin and respiratory symptoms could take 24 hours to develop after exposure.

The incident was reported around 8:40 a.m. at Huntsman Chemical at 4541 W. Electronics Place, according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman Margaret Stewart.

Officials initially said the incident occurred after a small valve broke, but by Thursday evening, the precise cause remained unclear. A spokesperson from the South Coast Air Quality Management District said the agency believed it may have been a chemical reaction rather than a leak.

According to a hazardous material spill report from the California Office of Emergency Services, a rupture disk was released during the packaging of an epoxy product known as Reninfusion 8610, 'spilling a small amount of the product onto the concrete floor and allowing smoke to release into the atmosphere.'

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