Chemical Safety Headlines From Google
Friday, December 23, 2022 at 6:48:07 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)
HAZMAT TEAM RESPONDS TO BRIEF FLARING INCIDENT AT MARTINEZ REFINERY
Tags: us_CA, industrial, release, response, dust, waste
UNDERGROUND BUNKER FILLED WITH ILLEGAL DRUGS DISCOVERED AT GRANADA HILLS HOME
Tags: us_CA, public, discovery, response, illegal, meth_lab
LAKE CHARLES MAN DIES WHILE CLEANING CHEMICAL TANK
Tags: us_LA, industrial, release, death, oxygen, sulphur
PAPER COMPANY SUED OVER RELEASE OF PFAS IN MICHIGAN
Tags: us_MI, industrial, follow-up, environmental, other_chemical
MASSIVE FIRE BREAKS OUT AT CHEMICAL LAB OF IISER
Tags: India, laboratory, fire, response, unknown_chemical
"HIGHER THAN ACCEPTABLE" METHAMPHETAMINE LEVELS IN AIR DUCTS CLOSE COLORADO PUBLIC LIBRARY
Tags: us_CO, public, discovery, response, other_chemical
EVACUATION ORDER IN NORTHEAST B.C. AFTER CARGO TRUCK CRASHES
Tags: Canada, transportation, release, response, unknown_chemical
POLICE, HAZARDOUS MATERIALS EXPERTS FIND SUSPECTED METH LAB IN APPLETON
Tags: us_WI, public, discovery, response, illegal, clandestine_lab
FIRE OFFICIALS DECLARED BUILDING SAFE AFTER 1 WORKER DIED FOLLOWING AMMONIA LEAK IN NORWOOD
Tags: us_MA, industrial, release, death, ammonia
EPA SUED FOR 25-YEAR FAILURE TO TEST PRODUCTS FOR ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS
Tags: us_CA, public, discovery, environmental, toxics
3M SAYS IT WILL END PFAS PRODUCTION BY 2025
Tags: industrial, discovery, environmental, other_chemical, plastics, polyvinylidene_fluoride
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HAZMAT TEAM RESPONDS TO BRIEF FLARING INCIDENT AT MARTINEZ REFINERY
https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/hazmat-team-responds-to-brief-flaring-incident-at-martinez-refinery/
Tags: us_CA, industrial, release, response, dust, waste
MARTINEZ, Calif. (KRON) — The Contra Costa Health Hazmat Team responded to another flaring incident at the Martinez Refining Company Thursday night, Contra Costa County Health Services said on Twitter.
The county confirmed at 9:57 p.m. that the flaring had stopped — 27 minutes after the report was announced. County officials said data shows there is no imminent health risk to the community.
The refinery said that it experienced a “power dip,” which is responsible for the flaring. Refinery options are now stable and the cause of the electrical disruption is being investigated.
“We apologize for impacting some of our neighbors and thank our employees who safely responded,” the refinery said.
The flaring has become a pressing issue in Martinez after two flaring incidents since Thanksgiving.
The first incident happened the day after Thanksgiving when spent catalyst waste in the form of dust was released from the facility. It led to Martinez residents finding white powder on their cars and sidewalks.
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UNDERGROUND BUNKER FILLED WITH ILLEGAL DRUGS DISCOVERED AT GRANADA HILLS HOME
https://www.foxla.com/news/underground-drug-lab-raided-in-granada-hills
Tags: us_CA, public, discovery, response, illegal, meth_lab
GRANADA HILLS, Calif. - One person was arrested after an illegal drug lab located in an underground bunker of a Granada Hills home was raided Wednesday night, according to authorities.
The Los Angeles Police Department said officers recovered fentanyl, heroin, meth and magic mushrooms.
In November, narcotics officers received an anonymous tip of a possible illegal marijuana cultivation at a home on the 16500 block of Hiawatha Street.
On Dec. 21, officers searched the house and arrested 37-year-old Casey Linder.
During a search of the house, officers found hallucinogenic mushrooms growing in a backyard shed. According to LAPD, the shed had an access point to a bunker that went 12 feet underground. Inside the bunker officers found a Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and a Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) extraction lab.
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LAKE CHARLES MAN DIES WHILE CLEANING CHEMICAL TANK
https://www.kplctv.com/2022/11/23/one-person-dead-following-sulphur-hazardous-chemical-incident/
Tags: us_LA, industrial, release, death, oxygen, sulphur
Sulphur, LA (KPLC) - State police are investigating after a man died in a hazardous chemical accident at Holeshot Tank Wash.
State police say Alvin Lively, 48, of Lake Charles, was inside a tank while working at Holeshot Tank Wash off Hwy 108 in Carlyss.
Police say Lively was washing the tank when he was found unresponsive Tuesday afternoon. Police say troopers received a call to investigate the incident around 2 p.m.
Trooper First Class Derek Senegal could not confirm whether Lively was wearing protective equipment.
“He was found inside of the tank unresponsive. Have to make sure that whatever type of, if he had some type of whether he had some type of PPE, personal protective equipment on, that he had the right stuff that’s on. I can’t say that he did, but that’s all part of the investigation,” said Senegal.
Senegal says the truck, owned by Republic Services, was dropped off for cleaning on Nov. 18. It contained pyrolysis gas, or “pygas,” which displaces oxygen.
Senegal says Lively was dead at the scene after apparently becoming overcome by fumes.
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PAPER COMPANY SUED OVER RELEASE OF PFAS IN MICHIGAN
https://www.audacy.com/wwjnewsradio/news/local/paper-company-sued-over-release-of-pfas-in-michigan
Tags: us_MI, industrial, follow-up, environmental, other_chemical
(WWJ) A paper company that operated a mill in Port Huron is being sued by the Michigan Attorney General over the alleged release of PFAS chemicals in the form of a "toxic sludge" that contaminated the environment.
Announced this week, the lawsuit was filed by the Department of Attorney General against Domtar Industries, Inc., a paper manufacturer that formerly operated in Port Huron, and runs mills in several states and in Canada.
The lawsuit focuses on releases of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from its manufacturing processes and from the paper sludges generated by Domtar that contain high levels of PFAS but were represented as “inert," according to AG Dana Nessel.
According to a news releases, that the AG called "toxic sludges" then contaminated the environment at a composting business in St. Clair County.
Domtar is an international paper manufacturer, and its locations included a mill located at 1700 Washington Avenue in Port Huron, Michigan, which operated in various forms for over one hundred years. The sludges at issue were sent to Techni-Comp, the AG says, a composting facility in Port Huron, where PFAS have been detected in groundwater and surface water at levels that exceed state standards.
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MASSIVE FIRE BREAKS OUT AT CHEMICAL LAB OF IISER
https://www.dailypioneer.com/2022/state-editions/massive-fire-breaks-out-at-chemical-lab-of-iiser.html
Tags: India, laboratory, fire, response, unknown_chemical
A massive fire broke out in the chemistry lab of Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) at Bakania Bhori of the state capital on Thursday afternoon which spread rapidly due to the large amount of chemicals and engulfed the entire lab.
The fire broke at around 4 pm on Thursday and it was pacified after about two and a half hours of hard efforts. About 15 fire tender vehicles of Bairagarh, Gandhinagar, Chirayu Hospital were engaged in pacifying the fire.
To douse the fire, the wall of the building was broken with JCB. Due to the chemical, there was a problem in pacifying the fire. It was found that there is difficulty in breathing due to the smoke arising due to the chemical.
According to Fire Officer Sajid Khan, preliminary investigation has revealed that chemical reaction may have caused the fire. However, the cause of the fire will be clear only after the investigation.
Khan said that it took more than two and a half hours to pacify the fire. Although smoke is coming out now, due to which we were not able to go inside.
Different types of chemicals are kept in large quantities in the lab. Fire personnel had to face difficulty in extinguishing the fire due to chemical fire. Due to the presence of dangerous chemicals, precautions are also being taken. The employees who reached to extinguish the fire told that due to the fire, more smoke is coming out. It is suffocating and is not able to go inside. Due to this also there was delay in extinguishing the fire. Khajurikalan police also reached the spot. At the same time, the SDRF team was also present.
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"HIGHER THAN ACCEPTABLE" METHAMPHETAMINE LEVELS IN AIR DUCTS CLOSE COLORADO PUBLIC LIBRARY
https://www.outtherecolorado.com/news/higher-than-acceptable-methamphetamine-levels-in-air-ducts-close-colorado-public-library/article_89ffdcb0-8088-11ed-9d2a-73372293d919.html
Tags: us_CO, public, discovery, response, other_chemical
A public library in Boulder will be closing indefinitely on Tuesday, after "higher than acceptable" levels of methamphetamine were recorded in restroom air ducts, according to a news release from the city.
"The city made this unprecedented decision today after receiving results of tests it ordered of air ducts in six of the restrooms in the Main Library at 1001 Arapahoe Avenue. The tests showed that residue inside the ducts had higher than acceptable levels of methamphetamine. The ducts blow air and contaminants outside the building, but it is not yet clear what, if any, level of contaminants is on surfaces," the release said.
The closure will begin at 4 PM on Tuesday, to allow officials to swab samples of surfaces inside and outside the restrooms and determine if a public health risk is present.
According to the release, there has been a spike in reports of people smoking inside of the library's bathrooms in recent weeks. In fact, on two occasions city employees were evaluated for symptoms consistent with exposure to meth fumes or residue.
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EVACUATION ORDER IN NORTHEAST B.C. AFTER CARGO TRUCK CRASHES
https://www.princegeorgepost.com/news/local-news/evacuation-order-in-northeast-b-c-after-cargo-truck-crashes-with-hazardous-materials
Tags: Canada, transportation, release, response, unknown_chemical
The Peace River Regional District issued the evacuation order for a one-kilometre radius around the crash that appears to cover about half a dozen properties in the Tomslake area.
The regional district says it poses an immediate danger to life, safety and health and has asked evacuees to register.
Those within the evacuation zone are asked to shut off all gas and electrical appliances, other than fridges and freezers, and close all windows and doors.
The order encourages residents to gather their families, and if they have room, take a neighbour or anyone else needing transport.
It says not to use more vehicles than necessary and to take pets and critical items like medicine, wallets and cellphones.
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POLICE, HAZARDOUS MATERIALS EXPERTS FIND SUSPECTED METH LAB IN APPLETON
https://www.wbay.com/2022/12/21/police-hazardous-materials-experts-find-suspected-meth-lab-appleton/
Tags: us_WI, public, discovery, response, illegal, clandestine_lab
APPLETON, Wis. (WBAY) - The execution of a search warrant for suspected drug activity in Appleton was followed by a flurry of police activity late Wednesday morning.
Members of the Appleton Police Department SWAT team, and the Lake Winnebago Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group, and Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation went to search an apartment on the 3000-block of S. Chain Dr. They found a 37-year-old man living there who had a warrant for his arrest.
Law enforcement found evidence the man was trying to produce methamphetamine on the property. Because of the potentially hazardous materials, the DCI’s Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement Response Team, which has special training in hazmat situations, was brought in to assist with the warrant and remove the substances from the suspected drug lab.
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FIRE OFFICIALS DECLARED BUILDING SAFE AFTER 1 WORKER DIED FOLLOWING AMMONIA LEAK IN NORWOOD
https://news.yahoo.com/fire-officials-declared-building-safe-224245992.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAK-XNGc5WkgJUaiZzYSc4HmDgUa_R3J55JuJT0lfHv0lifRbWxiHLPs3NPmmCBEHEa0meXvBmtOPpOrCv4hTgo1x7Z7xbqVOHpJnzquzn3kQzPW1CStyVy1EXGNiyrRVF32ZB4XFBf0u-McXaR2xyIiI0Jwd-PdCtZjSuBAAzdVI
Tags: us_MA, industrial, release, death, ammonia
Norwood Fire officials deemed Home Food Markets safe to return days after a deadly ammonia leak killed one worker and hospitalized another.
According to the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office, authorities received a call shortly after 11:00 a.m. on Monday for an ammonia leak at a food processing facility on Morgan Drive. A preliminary investigation revealed that two men were working for an outside contractor when the ammonia leak began.
One of the men, 68-year-old Richard Arguin, was pronounced dead at the scene. The other man was rushed to Good Samaritan Medical Center for specialized treatment.
The event was declared a Tier 2 Hazardous Materials incident and the Department of Fire Services deployed HazMat teams with specialized personnel, equipment, and apparatus to assist Norwood Fire over the last couple of days due to the high concentrations of ammonia found.
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EPA SUED FOR 25-YEAR FAILURE TO TEST PRODUCTS FOR ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS
https://www.courthousenews.com/epa-faces-suit-over-25-years-of-failing-to-execute-program-to-test-products-for-toxic-chemicals/
Tags: us_CA, public, discovery, environmental, toxics
SAN FRANCISCO (CN) — For 25 years, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has failed to properly test for endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in many food products as mandated by Congress, a coalition of nonprofits claim.
In a 54-page complaint filed Wednesday in federal court, organizations including Pesticide Action Network North America, Rural Coalition, Center for Environmental Health, Organización en California de Líderes Campesinas and Center for Food Safety claim the EPA has violated the Food Quality Protection Act and civil rights by failing to implement the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program by the 1999 deadline set by Congress.
In October 2021 the EPA laid the groundwork for new regulations on these chemical compounds, or PFAS — thousands of toxic chemicals utilized by manufacturing companies to create products like Teflon pans, firefighting foam and water-resistant products like carpets, mascara and eyeliner. The chemical compounds feature a unique molecular makeup that makes them resistant to heat, oil, stains, grease and water — but also allows them to persist in both living things and the environment for decades. The so-called "forever chemicals" have been detected in drinking water, food and in Americans’ blood streams.
The EPA has also said it plans to review past actions taken under the Toxic Substances Control Act relating to PFAS and address insufficient responses. President Joe Biden’s American Jobs Plan earmarked roughly $10 billion in funds that would be used in part to monitor and remediate PFAS in drinking water.
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3M SAYS IT WILL END PFAS PRODUCTION BY 2025
https://cen.acs.org/environment/persistent-pollutants/3M-says-end-PFAS-production/100/web/2022/12
Tags: industrial, discovery, environmental, other_chemical, plastics, polyvinylidene_fluoride
Under mounting regulatory and financial pressure, 3M says it will end the manufacture of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and discontinue their use in its products by the end of 2025.
The move means that the conglomerate will cease producing all fluoropolymers, fluorinated fluids, and PFAS-based additives. Such products include polymers sold under the Dyneon name like polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), and fluoroelastomers.
Overall, 3M generates about $1.3 billion in sales and earns about $200 million annually from the sale of PFAS products. However, the business represents a relatively small part of its annual sales, which were $35.4 billion in 2021. With the exit, the company expects to accrue financial charges of $2.3 billion.
“While PFAS can be safely made and used, we also see an opportunity to lead in a rapidly evolving external regulatory and business landscape,” 3M CEO Mike Roman says in a statement.
PFAS are known to persist in the environment and have been linked to human health effects, including cancer. As a result, they are subject to increasingly stringent regulations, which 3M cites as a consideration for exiting the business. It notes that PFAS could be restricted in Europe by 2025. And the US Environmental Protection Agency may place limits on PFAS in drinking water.
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