Chemical Safety Headlines From Google
Friday, October 28, 2022 at 6:38:39 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 (21 articles)
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL SPILL IN IROQUOIS COUNTY
Tags: us_IL, transportation, release, response, nitric_acid
2 HOSPITALIZED FOLLOWING CARBON MONOXIDE LEAK INSIDE DOUGLASS PARK APARTMENT
Tags: us_IL, public, release, injury, carbon_monoxide
HCS: HUNTSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT SETS OFF CHEMICAL REACTION IN BATHROOM
Tags: us_AL, education, release, response, unknown_chemical
DANGEROUS CHEMICALS FOUND IN OHIO OIL AND GAS WELLS
Tags: us_OH, public, discovery, environmental, other_chemical
CHEMICAL COMPANY FINED AFTER SPILL LEADS TO MORE THAN 100 EEL DEATHS
Tags: New_Zealand, industrial, follow-up, environmental, adhesives, methylamine, methyl_methacrylate
24 WORKERS RESCUED AS FIRE RIPS THROUGH LIQUOR BOTTLING FACTORY
Tags: India, industrial, fire, injury, other_chemical
OUTSIDE THE SAFE OPERATING SPACE OF A NEW PLANETARY BOUNDARY FOR PER- AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES (PFAS)
Tags: Sweden, laboratory, discovery, environmental, other_chemical
INTRODUCING THE JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION’S SPECIAL ISSUE ON DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND RESPECT IN CHEMISTRY EDUCATION RESEARCH AND PRACTICE
Tags: education, discovery, environmental
NORTH BOULEVARD BUILDING FIRE SPARKED BY CHEMICAL REACTION
Tags: us_LA, industrial, fire, response, unknown_chemical
SHERIFF: LANCASTER SC SCHOOL BUS STUDENTS CHEMICAL EXPOSURE
Tags: us_SC, transportation, release, injury, unknown_chemical
MAHARASHTRA: FIRE BREAKS OUT AT CHEMICAL COMPANY IN PALGHAR; 3 DEAD, 11 INJURED
Tags: India, industrial, explosion, death, unknown_chemical
3 GRADE 7 STUDENTS IN DAVAO SUFFER 3RD-DEGREE BURNS AFTER SCIENCE EXPERIMENT MISHAP
Tags: Philippines, laboratory, fire, injury, ethanol
BENZENE IS, AGAIN, FOUND IN PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS
Tags: public, discovery, environmental, benzene
PERSON INJURED IN CANNABIS PROCESSING PLANT FIRE TAKEN TO DENVER
Tags: us_MT, industrial, fire, injury, flammables
THREE RIVERS HOUSE EXPLOSION TIED TO MANUFACTURE OF BUTANE HASH OIL LAB
Tags: us_MI, public, fire, response, butane, clandestine_lab
CHILD HOSPITALISED AFTER SUSPECTED CHEMICAL EXPOSURE AT LAURIE LAWRENCE'S GOLD COAST SWIM SCHOOL
Tags: Australia, public, release, injury, unknown_chemical
SAC CREWS CLEAN UP CHEMICALS LEFTOVER AT CHEMIST'S FORMER HOME
Tags: us_CA, public, discovery, response, unknown_chemical
GILBERT WARNS RESIDENTS DUMPING FLAMMABLE MATERIALS AFTER 4 TRUCKS CATCH FIRE
Tags: us_AZ, public, follow-up, response, batteries, flammables, waste
AMMONIA LEAK PROMPTS EVACUATION FROM N. WICHITA MANUFACTURING FACILITY
Tags: us_KS, industrial, release, injury, ammonia
CHEMICAL TEST RESULTS DELIVERED TO PAINT CREEK RESIDENTS FOLLOWING CRASH
Tags: us_WV, transportation, follow-up, environmental, unknown_chemical
CHEMICAL RELEASE AT DOW MICHIGAN OPERATIONS I-PARK IN MIDLAND
Tags: us_MI, industrial, release, response, other_chemical
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HAZARDOUS MATERIAL SPILL IN IROQUOIS COUNTY
https://foxillinois.com/news/local/hazardous-material-spill-nitric-acid-leak-in-iroquois-county-gilman-illinois
Tags: us_IL, transportation, release, response, nitric_acid
ROQUOIS COUNTY, Ill. (WICS/WCCU) — On Wednesday, the Gilman Fire Protection District responded to a nitric acid leak in Iroquois county.
Officials say the nitric acid leak came from a semi-tractor trailer parked at the Pilot Travel Center in Gilman, IL.
A private cleanup crew was called to fix the spill.
While the cleanup crew was working overnight, they suffered an equipment failure that led to more nitric acid being spilled.
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2 HOSPITALIZED FOLLOWING CARBON MONOXIDE LEAK INSIDE DOUGLASS PARK APARTMENT
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/2-hospitalized-following-carbon-monoxide-leak-in-douglas-park/
Tags: us_IL, public, release, injury, carbon_monoxide
CHICAGO (CBS) – Chicago Fire Department responded to an apartment containing potentially deadly high carbon monoxide levels near Douglass Park Thursday morning.
Fire officials said the CO level reached 490 parts per million (PPM) due to a bad vent on a furnace inside a multi-flat building, in the 1200 block of South California Avenue.
Two people were transported to Mt. Sinai Hospital in unknown condition - nine others refused treatment.
There were no carbon monoxide detectors inside the building, fire officials said.
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HCS: HUNTSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT SETS OFF CHEMICAL REACTION IN BATHROOM
https://whnt.com/news/huntsville/huntsville-high-school-student-sets-off-chemical-reaction-in-bathroom-as-act-of-vandalism/
Tags: us_AL, education, release, response, unknown_chemical
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Paramedics responded to Huntsville High School (HHS) Thursday after officials say a student set off a chemical reaction in a bathroom.
Huntsville City Schools (HCS) said a student set off the reaction as part of what it called an “act of vandalism.”
HHS Principal Aaron King said the school immediately contacted law enforcement and the Huntsville Fire Department about the incident.
Huntsville Emergency Medical Services, Inc. (HEMSI), Huntsville Fire Department and the Huntsville Hazmat Team all responded to the school.
King said there is no indication that any hazardous chemicals were released into the air because of the incident, but paramedics evaluated affected students and staff as a precaution.
The school has identified the student responsible and said they will face disciplinary action because of the incident.
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DANGEROUS CHEMICALS FOUND IN OHIO OIL AND GAS WELLS
https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2022/10/27/dangerous-chemicals-found-in-oil-and-gas-wells/69574728007/
Tags: us_OH, public, discovery, environmental, other_chemical
Oil and gas companies are using potentially harmful "forever" chemicals in Ohio wells and may be hiding others thanks to trade secret laws, according to a study from a physicians group that monitors threats to human health.
Over the course of several years, the U.S. EPA provided thousands of documents to Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) on chemical use in wells across the country. The group began releasing reports on those documents this year, unveiling Ohio’s report in September.
A representative of the Ohio Oil and Gas Association did not dispute the findings, but said the state’s drillers follow all disclosure requirements and cited a 2020 Ohio EPA study — which an agency spokesperson characterized as a sampling initiative — that found 94% of the state’s waterways free of forever chemicals and that the state’s drinking water is overwhelmingly safe.
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CHEMICAL COMPANY FINED AFTER SPILL LEADS TO MORE THAN 100 EEL DEATHS
https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/10/28/chemical-company-fined-after-spill-leads-to-more-than-100-eel-deaths/
Tags: New_Zealand, industrial, follow-up, environmental, adhesives, methylamine, methyl_methacrylate
An Auckland chemical company has been fined after spilling more than 8000 litres of methyl methacrylate (MMA), a "volatile liquid" with a pungent odour, leading to the Manukau Harbour and killing more than 100 eels last year.
Allnex New Zealand Limited discharged the substance, used in plastic and adhesive manufacturing, following a leak in a newly repaired storage tank from their industrial premises in Penrose in February 2021.
The spillage travelled down a stormwater drain and into an open channel leading to the harbour, Auckland Council said today in a media release.
More than 100 eels were also found dead in a nearby stream, while vegetation along the bank was also affected.
The company appeared in the Auckland District Court yesterday on charges of “discharging a contaminant onto land, leading to water” and "discharging a contaminant from an industrial or trade premises into air”.
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24 WORKERS RESCUED AS FIRE RIPS THROUGH LIQUOR BOTTLING FACTORY
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/24-workers-rescued-as-fire-rips-through-liquor-bottling-factory/articleshow/95133712.cms
Tags: India, industrial, fire, injury, other_chemical
Chandigarh: A massive fire tore through a liquor bottling plant in Industrial Area, Phase I, on Thursday.
Around two dozen workers were in the factory when the blaze broke out at 2.07 pm, the time fire and emergency services department of the municipal corporation (MC) received the call. All the workers were pulled out safely. One worker received minor burn injuries. He was taken to Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32.
A hydraulic vehicle, fire tenders and water boozer were rushed to douse the flames. But the intensity of the fire forced the MC to take the help of fire tenders of Mohali, Panchkula and 3 BRD Air Force station. Over dozen fire tenders made multiple rounds while 40 to 50 firemen were on the job. The operation was continuing till the filing of this report late in the night. The exact reason of the fire could not be ascertained.
Sources said a huge amount of liquor and chemicals were stored in the factory, helping to spread and strengthen the fire that made things difficult for the firemen. Since the fire covered the entire factory from all the sides, JCB machines were called to break some temporary tin sheds and other parts of the factory to ensure water reached the building in high pressure in order to control the blaze. All material like drums, articles and other wooden and plastic items were gutted. Luckily, the fire did not spread to adjoining building and factories.
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OUTSIDE THE SAFE OPERATING SPACE OF A NEW PLANETARY BOUNDARY FOR PER- AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES (PFAS)
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.2c02765?ref=RRCC_ealert_weekly_20221027&pci=CACSR000002823787
Tags: Sweden, laboratory, discovery, environmental, other_chemical
It is hypothesized that environmental contamination by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) defines a separate planetary boundary and that this boundary has been exceeded. This hypothesis is tested by comparing the levels of four selected perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) (i.e., perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)) in various global environmental media (i.e., rainwater, soils, and surface waters) with recently proposed guideline levels. On the basis of the four PFAAs considered, it is concluded that (1) levels of PFOA and PFOS in rainwater often greatly exceed US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lifetime Drinking Water Health Advisory levels and the sum of the aforementioned four PFAAs (Σ4 PFAS) in rainwater is often above Danish drinking water limit values also based on Σ4 PFAS; (2) levels of PFOS in rainwater are often above Environmental Quality Standard for Inl!
and European Union Surface Water; and (3) atmospheric deposition also leads to global soils being ubiquitously contaminated and to be often above proposed Dutch guideline values. It is, therefore, concluded that the global spread of these four PFAAs in the atmosphere has led to the planetary boundary for chemical pollution being exceeded. Levels of PFAAs in atmospheric deposition are especially poorly reversible because of the high persistence of PFAAs and their ability to continuously cycle in the hydrosphere, including on sea spray aerosols emitted from the oceans. Because of the poor reversibility of environmental exposure to PFAS and their associated effects, it is vitally important that PFAS uses and emissions are rapidly restricted.
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INTRODUCING THE JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION’S SPECIAL ISSUE ON DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND RESPECT IN CHEMISTRY EDUCATION RESEARCH AND PRACTICE
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jchemed.1c01219?ref=RRCC_ealert_weekly_20221027&pci=CACSR000002823787
Tags: education, discovery, environmental
Chemistry scholars and educators are intentionally creating inclusive curriculum and equitable learning opportunities in response to the inequities in society exposed by the challenges of discrimination and the pandemic over the past few years. This special issue shines a light on discipline-based education research (DBER) in chemistry that addresses diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect (DEIR) in classrooms, on campuses, and in the broader chemical discipline. The diversity of manuscripts in this special issue can help chemistry educators and researchers gain insights into including diverse perspectives and providing equitable access to learning for students. Notably, the rich scholarship has the potential to catalyze further crucial research in DEIR challenges in chemistry education.
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NORTH BOULEVARD BUILDING FIRE SPARKED BY CHEMICAL REACTION
https://www.brproud.com/news/local-news/north-boulevard-building-fire-sparked-by-chemical-reaction/
Tags: us_LA, industrial, fire, response, unknown_chemical
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — Firefighters responded to a building fire sparked by a chemical reaction from cleaning supplies Tuesday evening.
The Baton Rouge Fire Department said crews arrived at A1 Professional Services on North Boulevard at 7:25 p.m. where smoke was seen coming from the building. Crews found the sprinkler system activated and several floor mats, mop heads and other items smoldering, according to BRFD.
Cause of shed fire ‘undetermined,’ fire department says
Firefighters were able to completely extinguish the flames.
The fire department said damage was contained to products in the building.
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SHERIFF: LANCASTER SC SCHOOL BUS STUDENTS CHEMICAL EXPOSURE
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/education/article267918547.html
Tags: us_SC, transportation, release, injury, unknown_chemical
Law enforcement in South Carolina is investigating after more than 40 students and a school bus driver in Lancaster County were potentially exposed to an unknown chemical or substance Wednesday, officials said.
Several people exhibited symptoms of exposure Wednesday afternoon, including a 14-year-old student who lost consciousness and an EMS worker who responded to the incident at Indian Land High School, said Lancaster County Sheriff Barry Faile in a statement.
Authorities say they don’t know what chemical or substance was involved in the incident, Faile said. They did not describe the symptoms experienced by the students and the EMS responder.
“A full investigation is being conducted to identify the substance that caused the exposure and its source, “ Faile said Wednesday night.
The Lancaster County School District bus was found by Lancaster County police, fire and EMS crews behind the school stadium near the school bus office after 5 p.m., Faile said.
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MAHARASHTRA: FIRE BREAKS OUT AT CHEMICAL COMPANY IN PALGHAR; 3 DEAD, 11 INJURED
https://zeenews.india.com/india/maharashtra-fire-breaks-out-at-chemical-company-in-palghar-3-dead-11-injured-2527028.html
Tags: India, industrial, explosion, death, unknown_chemical
New Delhi: In an unfortunate incident in Maharashtra, fire broke out in a chemical company, which has claimed three lives so far, injuring 11 in the Boisar MIDC area of Palghar district on Wednesday, October 26, 2022. The fire brigade rushed to the site of the incident and started the evacuation process. Officials say that several people are still feared trapped inside the building.
According to the Boisar Fire Brigade officials, the fire broke out due to a boiler explosion which led to the fatal incident. The injured people have been admitted to Shinde Hospital in Boisar district, as informed by Palghar Police.
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3 GRADE 7 STUDENTS IN DAVAO SUFFER 3RD-DEGREE BURNS AFTER SCIENCE EXPERIMENT MISHAP
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/scitech/science/847549/3-grade-7-students-in-davao-suffer-3rd-degree-burns-after-science-experiment-mishap/story/
Tags: Philippines, laboratory, fire, injury, ethanol
A science experiment of Grade 7 students at Awao National High School in Davao led to a fire accident with three students suffering from third-degree burns.
In Sunday's episode of "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho," student Bemboy Montanez narrated how the fire started during their class' experiment session.
("Salt was put in the water, sir mixed it. He took the bottle then he put some alcohol in the stove, then it exploded.")
As soon as the fire started, he said that his teacher went to him and hugged him.
("Our clothes caught on fire, sir approached me and hugged me.")
Aside from Bemboy, another student, Edwin Rebleza Jr., had the worst injuries from the accident. His face, neck, arms, hands, chest, and tummy were all scalded.
("I was in front and two of my classmates were beside me. I rolled on the ground and caused the chair to fall because the fire was spreading on my clothes.")
Edwin pleaded to hospital staff to be gentle with him during his treatment due to the pain caused by the third-degree burn.
According to one of Edwin's classmates, Cyril, Edwin sprayed alcohol on his uniform during the experiment because he wanted to smell good.
When Edwin was asked if he thought the alcohol caused the malfunction of the experiment, the seventh grader admitted that he had no idea.
("I don't know. When I moved away, I stepped back slightly. The fire spread suddenly on my face.")
Prof. Laurenzo Alba, a chemist professor at De La Salle University, said that the experiment they were trying to do was possibly to vaporize the salt solution.
("It is to demontrate that salt gets left behind when water becomes water vapor by boiling.")
The chemist also added that ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol, two of the most common ingredients in a science lab, are flammable.
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BENZENE IS, AGAIN, FOUND IN PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS
https://cen.acs.org/business/consumer-products/Benzeneagain-found-personal-care-products/100/i38
Tags: public, discovery, environmental, benzene
The carcinogenic chemical benzene has cropped up in another batch of personal care products, this time dry shampoo sprays.
The consumer product giant Unilever has recalled more than 300 lots of aerosol dry shampoo from its Dove, Nexxus, Suave, Rockaholic, Bed Head, and TRESemmé brands, citing “potentially elevated levels of benzene.” Dry shampoos generally use starches to absorb oily substances in hair without the need for a water rinse. Unilever says in its recall notice that the benzene comes from the products’ propellants: isobutane and propane.
The recall is the latest in a string of such incidents. In March 2021, the independent analytical lab Valisure informed the US Food and Drug Administration about benzene contamination in alcohol-based hand sanitizers; it found benzene in sunscreens two months later. Since then, benzene contamination has forced recalls of sunscreens, after-sun lotions, antifungals, antiperspirants, and deodorants from several major consumer product makers including Johnson & Johnson and Procter & Gamble. Most but not all of the affected products have been aerosol sprays.
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PERSON INJURED IN CANNABIS PROCESSING PLANT FIRE TAKEN TO DENVER
https://www.kulr8.com/news/one-person-injured-after-fire-at-cannabis-processing-facility-on-duck-creek-rd/article_20a19a16-547c-11ed-a486-ab8947695f08.html
Tags: us_MT, industrial, fire, injury, flammables
The Billings Fire Dept. released additional information about the large fire at the cannabis processing facility.
An investigation found that during the distillation process, an employee accidentally ignited ethanol vapors which caused the fire.
That employee suffered severe upper body burns and has since been transported to Denver for treatment of those injuries.
BFD says the fire was contained to the distillation room, which has charring on the walls and ceiling, and heat damage to the equipment.
There was about 500-thousand dollars worth of damage to the facility.
UPDATE: 2:13 P.M.
The following is a press release from the Billings Fire Department:
The Billings Fire Prevention Bureau is investigating a fire that was reported at 3620 Duck Creek Road shortly after 9 a.m. on Tuesday.
When fire crews arrived on scene, they found smoke coming from a marijuana processing facility operated by dispensary company Elevated.
Part of the team prepared to attack the fire, while others tended to an employee who suffered severe upper body burns.
The victim was immediately taken to a local hospital for treatment. An update on the victim’s condition is not available.
The fire inside of the building was contained within 15 minutes.
Because marijuana processing facilities use flammable chemicals like butane and ethanol, firefighters had to take extra caution when battling the fire.
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THREE RIVERS HOUSE EXPLOSION TIED TO MANUFACTURE OF BUTANE HASH OIL LAB
https://wwmt.com/news/local/three-rivers-house-explosion-september-one-injured-court-records-butane-thc-marijuana
Tags: us_MI, public, fire, response, butane, clandestine_lab
THREE RIVERS, Mich. — A butane explosion from a homemade lab used to manufacturing concentrated marijuana is the likely cause of a Three Rivers home explosion last month, according to investigators.
A 34-year-old man told police his arm caught fire when he went to investigate the explosion in the basement of 502 8th Street on Sept. 11, according to the Three Rivers Police report obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request.
Police discovered two large canisters of butane and seized items from the home indicative of a butane honey oil lab, detectives said.
Butane honey or butane hash oil is commonly extracted from marijuana plant material using butane, which is highly flammable and can cause explosions if ignited, according to detectives.
Officers discovered a blown off front door and blew down the rear wall when they responded to a report for a fire around 11:40 p.m., police said.
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CHILD HOSPITALISED AFTER SUSPECTED CHEMICAL EXPOSURE AT LAURIE LAWRENCE'S GOLD COAST SWIM SCHOOL
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-26/suspected-chemical-inhalation-laurie-lawrence-swim-school-/101578756
Tags: Australia, public, release, injury, unknown_chemical
Five children under the age of six have been treated by paramedics after suspected chemical exposure at Laurie Laurence swim school on the Gold Coast this morning.
A Queensland Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said a "dispersal technique" was used to ventilate the area at Flagstone Drive in Burleigh Heads.
Swim school operator and celebrated swim coach Laurie Lawrence said children in the class began to suffer respiratory problems in the class this morning, but it was still not clear what had caused the children to experience breathing issues.
"No chemical was reported by the fire brigade when they came and did tests, no chemical in the air was detected and we can't detect any excess in the pool itself … So it's a bit of a mystery," he said.
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SAC CREWS CLEAN UP CHEMICALS LEFTOVER AT CHEMIST'S FORMER HOME
https://www.kcra.com/article/unknown-chemicals-abandoned-sacramento-home/41770872
Tags: us_CA, public, discovery, response, unknown_chemical
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
A large firefighter presence outside of a Sacramento home Tuesday afternoon was because of a scheduled cleanup of a home full of chemicals left behind by a chemist who died this summer, officials said.
"We’re double checking to make sure it's safe for a third party to come in and dispose of the chemicals," said Capt. Andrew Ramos, of the Sacramento Fire Department's Special Operations Division. "There is nothing that we should be afraid of. They're just small quantities."
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A spokesperson with the Sacramento Fire Department said the chemist used to live in a home in the 7500 block of 19th Street that was full of about 100 different chemicals. The house is off Meadowview Road and 21st Street in the Meadowview area.
Fire officials emphasized that this is not an emergency and that it had been on their calendar to begin cleanup on Tuesday.
No evacuations were issued, and the scene is contained to the home, but the fire department said 19th street is closed to through traffic at Matson Drive.
"We're being meticulous in the way we clean it up," said Battalion Chief Patrick Costamagna, of the Sacramento Fire Department.
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GILBERT WARNS RESIDENTS DUMPING FLAMMABLE MATERIALS AFTER 4 TRUCKS CATCH FIRE
https://www.azfamily.com/2022/10/25/gilbert-warns-residents-dumping-flammable-materials-after-4-trucks-catch-fire/
Tags: us_AZ, public, follow-up, response, batteries, flammables, waste
GILBERT, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) -- The Town of Gilbert is warning residents to stop improperly dumping flammable goods into their trash cans after a number of garbage trucks have caught fire this year.
On the town’s blog, officials report that it just had its fourth truck fire this year, and a recent @GilbertYourTown TikTok notes that the town had five last year. Fire crews want communities to know that they need to be mindful of what chemical batteries and potentially hazardous materials go into the crash can. Items like tires, fuels, pool chemicals, and electronic waste should be taken to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility off Queen Creek Road, west of Greenfield.
As the cooler temperatures roll into town, it’s important to never put ashes into your trash until they’ve been cooled for at least 24 hours, bagged, and tied. Dumping flammable materials into ordinary trash cans can lead to two types of truck fires. An engine fire could happen by falling debris and damage to the exhaust or engine, but hot loads are vastly more volatile and dangerous. Oftentimes, the operator has to extinguish the load by packing it to deprive the fire of oxygen. In some cases, they may have to dump the load in an open area to safely distinguish the fire.
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AMMONIA LEAK PROMPTS EVACUATION FROM N. WICHITA MANUFACTURING FACILITY
https://www.kwch.com/2022/10/26/chemical-spill-prompts-evacuation-n-wichita-manufacturing-facility/
Tags: us_KS, industrial, release, injury, ammonia
WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - An ammonia leak at a manufacturing facility in north Wichita led to evacuations, but there were no serious injuries. The leak prompted evacuations from Perfekta in the 400 block of East 21st street, near 21st Street North and Broadway.
A Wichita Fire Department battalion chief said investigators isolated the leak to a tanker trailer in a lot northwest of the manufacturing facility that makes parts for the aerospace industry. WFD Battalion Chief Lane Pearman said weather conditions played a role in the ammonia getting into the business. The smell of the chemical caused minor illness to three workers at Perfekta and prompted the emergency call. Pearman said the three workers were evaluated at the scene and refused transport to the hospital.
As of late Tuesday night, crews remained on the scene near 21st and Broadway as Pearman said the investigation continued to determine how the leak happened.
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CHEMICAL TEST RESULTS DELIVERED TO PAINT CREEK RESIDENTS FOLLOWING CRASH
https://www.wvpublic.org/energy-environment/2022-10-25/chemical-test-results-deliver-to-paint-creek-residents-following-crash
Tags: us_WV, transportation, follow-up, environmental, unknown_chemical
Environmental health specialists from Kanawha and Fayette counties tested wells along Paint Creek following an Aug. 24 truck crash on the West Virginia Turnpike that spilled a chemical surfactant.
In letters mailed to Paint Creek residents, the Kanawha-Charleston and Fayette County health departments said there were trace amounts of the chemical detected in 19 hand-dug or shallow wells.
The tractor trailer was carrying containers with the surfactant Empigen AS/F90 when it crashed on I-64 spilling the chemical into Skitter Creek, which flows into Paint Creek. Fayette County Health Department and Kanawha-Charleston Health Department employees sampled 19 hand-dug and shallow wells for testing.
No chemical was found beyond the detection limit of 0.3 percent. These results do not reflect the overall safety of the wells that were sampled. They only indicate that the chemical spilled was not detected above that level in the wells that were tested.
Properly constructed private wells were not impacted by the spill. Consuming water from a hand-dug or shallow well is not recommended.
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CHEMICAL RELEASE AT DOW MICHIGAN OPERATIONS I-PARK IN MIDLAND
https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/Substance-release-at-Dow-Michigan-Operations-17533965.php
Tags: us_MI, industrial, release, response, other_chemical
In a statement released on social media, Dow Michigan Operations confirmed that there was "a product release" at about 2 p.m. at Dow Michigan Operations I-Park.
The company did not disclose what chemical was released into the air. The City of Midland released a statement stating Dowtherm A (biphenyl) was the chemical released. Command staff from Midland Fire Department responded and, in coordination with on-site and field staff from Dow, determined that it had been contained with the fence line. No negative community health impacts are expected, according to the city's statement.
Four employees who were in close proximity to the release are being evaluated. A shelter-in-place order was lifted at 3:30 p.m.
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