Chemical Safety Headlines From Google
Monday, September 19, 2022 at 6:13:53 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 (11 articles)
DHEC SAYS TOXIC VAPORS FROM ELGIN CHEMICAL LEAK POSE NO RISK TO PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENT
Tags: us_SC, industrial, release, response, nitric_acid, nitrogen
HAZARDOUS LIQUID DISCOVERED AT EL PASO BUSINESS
Tags: us_TX, industrial, release, response, acids, metals
STILL LOTS OF QUESTIONS, FEW ANSWERS AFTER FERTILIZER PLANT FIRE IN WINSTON-SALEM
Tags: us_NC, industrial, follow-up, environmental, ag_chems
RESIDENTS CAN RETURN HOME FOLLOWING AN EARLY SATURDAY MORNING HA
Tags: us_KS, industrial, fire, response, ag_chems, pesticides
FIRE BREAKS OUT IN GUJARAT’S VAPI, NO CASUALTIES REPORTED
Tags: India, industrial, explosion, response, unknown_chemical
CHEMICAL COMBUSTION REPORTED AT AKZONOBEL COATINGS BUILDING
Tags: us_TN, industrial, fire, response, paints, peroxide
LOCAL COMPANY AND CHICO FIREFIGHTERS DEMO NON-TOXIC FIREFIGHTING PRODUCTS FRIDAY
Tags: us_CA, industrial, discovery, environmental, other_chemical
US EPA PROPOSAL CALLS FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS STORAGE TO ACCOUNT FOR NATURAL HAZARDS
Tags: public, discovery, environmental, unknown_chemical
POSSIBLE TRAILER CHEMICAL SPILL CLOSES I-20 EASTBOUND LANES
Tags: us_TX, transportation, release, response, unknown_chemical
HYDERABAD: FIRE BREAKS OUT AT CHEMICAL RESEARCH CENTER
Tags: India, industrial, fire, response, unknown_chemical
SAYRE MAN DIES AFTER EXPLOSION AT WATER TREATMENT FACILITY
Tags: us_PA, industrial, explosion, death, methanol, water_treatment
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DHEC SAYS TOXIC VAPORS FROM ELGIN CHEMICAL LEAK POSE NO RISK TO PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENT
https://www.postandcourier.com/columbia/news/dhec-says-toxic-vapors-from-elgin-chemical-leak-pose-no-risk-to-public-environment/article_4a9d8148-35e8-11ed-9ae4-678b2af96760.html
Tags: us_SC, industrial, release, response, nitric_acid, nitrogen
ELGIN — A leak at a chemical plan in Kershaw County released thousands of pounds of emissions containing toxins into the air on July 27, according to a report from the company’s internal investigation.
The leak at the WeylChem US plant, about 5 miles northeast of Columbia, sent a cloud of vapors containing nitric acid and nitrogen oxide into the air. Those nearby the plant said there was a distinct, unpleasant smell in the air.
Wind pushed the cloud away from a nearby neighborhood and over Interstate 20, preventing a mass evacuation. A portion of I-20 was closed as a precaution until the leak was under control and evening traffic on the interstate was routed through a long detour for several hours.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control has reviewed the report, filed Aug. 26, and determined that the vapors containing nitric acid and nitrogen oxide do not pose a serious risk to public health or the environment.
“While even low concentrations of acid vapors can be irritating to the eyes, nose, mouth or lungs, review of this release indicates there was no serious health risk to people or the environment,” according to DHEC spokeswoman Laura Renwick.
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HAZARDOUS LIQUID DISCOVERED AT EL PASO BUSINESS
https://www.elpasoinc.com/news/local_news/hazardous-liquid-discovered-at-el-paso-business/article_fa44553c-3768-11ed-a4c5-43954890c144.html
Tags: us_TX, industrial, release, response, acids, metals
The 760 gallons of acid and base solution discovered earlier this month by the El Paso Fire Marshal’s office belonged to Siltec Inc. & Arizona Trader Co., a metal finishing and jewelry company in Downtown.
The El Paso Fire Marshal’s Office discovered the solution stored in unsafe containers on Sept. 7.
“Fire Marshal’s investigators were doing a usual business inspection,” said Enrique Duenas-Aguilar, El Paso Fire Department public information officer. “The problem was that some of the containers were not appropriate for acid, and some were already developing leaks.”
He confirmed that the chemicals, used to clean metal and jewelry, belonged to Siltec Inc. & Arizona Trader Co. at 1104 E. San Antonio.
The company declined to comment.
After discovering the chemicals, the fire department deployed a hazmat team due to the potential danger to the environment and public safety.
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STILL LOTS OF QUESTIONS, FEW ANSWERS AFTER FERTILIZER PLANT FIRE IN WINSTON-SALEM
https://journalnow.com/news/local/still-lots-of-questions-few-answers-after-fertilizer-plant-fire-in-winston-salem/article_fa8ceeb4-0da6-11ed-b52a-97cefc97c583.html
Tags: us_NC, industrial, follow-up, environmental, ag_chems
Costs are still being tallied and Winston-Salem is considering tougher zoning regulations, more than eight months after a massive fire destroyed the Winston Weaver Co. fertilizer plant on North Cherry Street.
Lawsuits are huddling to move through the court system as people who live near the plant look for compensation for moving costs and health effects. Then there are the environmental impacts left behind in the quality of the air that people breathed and the runoff into streams.
Even the city may be looking for compensation for the cost to taxpayers, including hundreds of thousands paid to people who had to evacuate.
And after eight months, after probes by fire and insurance investigators, we still don’t know what caused the fire that began Jan. 31.
The reports may never even see the light of day because the city considers them the results of a criminal investigation, even though no cause was ever determined.
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RESIDENTS CAN RETURN HOME FOLLOWING AN EARLY SATURDAY MORNING HA
https://www.kake.com/story/47305647/residents-can-return-home-following-an-early-saturday-morning-hazmat-situation-in-leon
Tags: us_KS, industrial, fire, response, ag_chems, pesticides
LEON, Kan. (KAKE) - According to Butler County Dispatch, reverse 9-1-1 communication has been sent out advising nearly two dozen residents of Leon they can return back home following a suggested evacuation or shelter in place.
This comes after fire crews were called out to work a structure fire in the 300 block of S Main in Leon. A call went out around 12:30 a.m. for this fire. Officials say the fire spread between two building holding liquid fertilizer and pesticide prompting an evacuation.
According to Fire Chief Kevin Worrell, there were concerns about their water tower levels being low so tankers and first responders were brought in from surrounding counties.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation and the extent of the damage is still unknown.
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FIRE BREAKS OUT IN GUJARAT’S VAPI, NO CASUALTIES REPORTED
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/surat/fire-breaks-out-in-gujarats-vapi-no-casualties-reported-8155235/
Tags: India, industrial, explosion, response, unknown_chemical
A major fire broke out in a chemical company in Vapi in Gujarat’s Valsad district Friday morning. The incident took place in Supreet chemical company at Phase 3 in the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC).
The fire department officials brought the blaze under control after two hours of continuous firefighting. No casualties were reported.
The fire, which broke out Friday morning in the company’s old unit on the backside, extended and covered the front area and the new unit, the fire department officials said.
The officials said a blast also occurred inside the company, adding all the workers were outside the factory campus at the time and are safe.
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CHEMICAL COMBUSTION REPORTED AT AKZONOBEL COATINGS BUILDING
https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2022/09/16/chemical-explosion-reported-at-akzonobel-coatings-building/69499763007/
Tags: us_TN, industrial, fire, response, paints, peroxide
A box of chemicals combusted at AkzoNobel Coatings at 20 Culvert Street Friday afternoon.
The combustion happened around 1:21 p.m. at the building, according to Kendra Loney, a spokesperson with Nashville Fire Department.
When fire crews arrived, they found a box of chemicals believed to contain organic peroxide had combusted and was releasing vapors.
Everyone was evacuated from the building. NFD HAZMAT, according to Loney.
Loney said in a statement the organic peroxide was shipped inside shrink-wrapped carboard boxes on a pallet left of a bay dock. The chemicals inside needed to be stored at minus 4 degrees, otherwise it can combust.
As temperatures began to rise, the chemicals combusted. Loney said the threat was minimal as it was contained within the shrinkwrap.
Everyone was able to evacuate the building without injury. NFD remained on the scene to monitor emitting gases.
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LOCAL COMPANY AND CHICO FIREFIGHTERS DEMO NON-TOXIC FIREFIGHTING PRODUCTS FRIDAY
https://www.actionnewsnow.com/news/local-company-and-chico-firefighters-demo-non-toxic-firefighting-products-friday/article_8df7b4e8-3626-11ed-b8bd-9bcb4d53de2d.html
Tags: us_CA, industrial, discovery, environmental, other_chemical
CHICO, Calif. - A demo was held on Friday at the Chico Fire Training Center to showcase past and upcoming technology for the fire industry.
Some local firefighters made the switch to non-toxic foam at the beginning of the year. On Jan. 1, California Senate Bill 1044 went into effect and banned many of the harmful chemicals like PFA's found in the traditional AFFF firefighting foams.
GreenFire, DRAGO, and the Chico Fire Department participated in the demo to showcase some new technology including some based around water conservation amid California drought conditions. DRAGO developed a water cannon that saves 70% alone on water usage and can infuse GreenFire foam products.
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US EPA PROPOSAL CALLS FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS STORAGE TO ACCOUNT FOR NATURAL HAZARDS
https://chemicalwatch.com/565177/us-epa-proposal-calls-for-hazardous-materials-storage-to-account-for-natural-hazards
Tags: public, discovery, environmental, unknown_chemical
The US EPA has proposed changing its Risk Management Program (RMP) regulations – which apply to facilities that store, manufacture, use or handle certain quantities of hazardous chemicals – so that the risks from natural hazards and climate change are explicitly addressed in hazard reviews.
The agency says while there has been a long-term trend of reducing accidents, this could be improved to protect human health and the environment. The proposed Safer Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention (SCCAP) rule aims to:
improve safety;
assist in preparedness and response to accidents; and
improve public awareness of chemical hazards at regulated facilities.
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POSSIBLE TRAILER CHEMICAL SPILL CLOSES I-20 EASTBOUND LANES
https://www.cbs19.tv/article/traffic/dps-official-1-vehicle-crash-shuts-down-eastbound-lane-on-1-20/501-9f0cbc6b-3956-4ac5-bae6-390ae7b188bc
Tags: us_TX, transportation, release, response, unknown_chemical
SMITH COUNTY, Texas — A one vehicle crash involving a big truck with a trailer and possible chemical spill closed the eastbound lanes on I-20, according to Department of Pubic Safety.
The crash occurred around 6:20 p.m. on I-20 near the mile marker 552.
DPS official Greg Williams said he is not sure what chemical was spilled but the fire department called hazmat to clean it up.
I-20 is currently backed up for miles and there is no estimated time when the lanes will reopen, said Williams.
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HYDERABAD: FIRE BREAKS OUT AT CHEMICAL RESEARCH CENTER
https://www.siasat.com/hyderabad-fire-breaks-out-at-chemical-research-center-2413572/
Tags: India, industrial, fire, response, unknown_chemical
Hyderabad: In an incident reported from Nacharam on Thursday a fire broke out at a chemical research center due to a short circuit.
The incident occurred at sunuka life sciences, flat number 41, tech park, IDA Nacharam. Approximately 300 liters of chemical were burnt due to the fire, no casualties have been reported as of now. The owner of the reseach centerwas identified as E Satyam.
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Three fire engines were deployed to put out the fire, following which calm prevailed in the area. More details regarding the incident are awaited.
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SAYRE MAN DIES AFTER EXPLOSION AT WATER TREATMENT FACILITY
https://www.morning-times.com/news/article_be77cf16-64bf-5497-a8cc-a4605a674b41.html
Tags: us_PA, industrial, explosion, death, methanol, water_treatment
STANDING STONE — A Sayre man has lost his life following an apparent explosion at the Eureka Resources water treatment facility in Standing Stone Township.
According to Lehigh County Coroner Daniel A. Buglio, Jeremy J. Lanzo, 39, was pronounced dead at 2:13 p.m. on Tuesday at Lehigh Valley Hospital following a chemical explosion at approximately 5 a.m. Tuesday at the plant.
An autopsy, which was completed Thursday, revealed the cause of death to be chemical and thermal burns, Buglio explained. He added that Lanzo’s death was ruled an accident.
In addition to the coroner’s office, the death is being investigated by OSHA, Buglio noted.
Attempts to reach Eureka Resources for comment on the explosion were unsuccessful Thursday.
Eureka Resources, headquartered in Williamsport, opened its Standing Stone plant in 2013, according to its website. The facility “extract(s) purified water, high-quality lithium, purified salt, pure calcium chloride, oil and methanol from wastewater.”
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