Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 07:11:30 -0500
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Subject: Chemical Safety headlines from Google

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Canada: TNT found on campus
TNT found on campus
Engineering students and staff had an explosive surprise after a staff member found a small amount of TNT in the Schulich School of Engineering building last Friday. 

A lab technician found about half a kilogram of a chemical suspected to be trinitrotoluene, during a routine review of chemicals in storage facilities. U of C research communications manager Grady Semmens explained that the material, found in a sealed container, was clearly identified as 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, otherwise known as TNT. 

"The university hazardous materials group was contacted to determine the safest way to dispose of the material and the decision was made to contact Calgary Emergency Services," said Semmens.

US_ID: Boise Fire crews keep Borah High classroom closed for one more day as a precaution after mercury spill

Boise Fire crews cleaned up a small mercury spill in a classroom in the old gym at Borah High Wednesday but found Thursday morning that one floor tile still had a small amount of the chemical on it so they decided to close the classroom for an additional day just to be safe.

Boise School District officials say 15 students at Borah High tested negative for mercury exposure after a student broke a bracelet that had a pea-drop sized amount of the element inside it during an English class Wednesday in the old gym building.

Australia: Chemical spill in Golden Square probed

CFA and the Environmental Protection Authority were yesterday investigating the scene of an accidental sodium hypochlorite leak into a drain in Golden Square.
Allingham Road was closed for a short time while officers scoured the scene of the leak, which Fire Officer Rob Bryans said happened sometime in the past week or the week before.

=93We believe approximately a thousand litres of sodium hypochlorite has leaked into a drain,=94 he said.

=93CFA and EPA were just on scene managing the situation.=94

He said the chemical was a basic pool chlorine.

The spill was believed to have been =93just accidental=94 and would be cleared from the drain.

US_PA: Chemical Mix Causes Scare In Washington County
Chemical Mix Causes Scare In Washington County
Workers Trying To Disposed Of Chemicals Cause Stink

CANTON TWP., Pa. -- Workers trying to dispose of materials at a Washington County plant caused a chemical scare on Thursday.

Fire and hazmat crews told Channel 4 Action News that two chemicals were mixed together in a barrel while workers were trying to dispose of them at Ferro in Canton Township.
When the sodium nitrate and hydrochloric acid were mixed, they emitted a powerful odor.
Emergency crews were called to the scene to make sure everything was safe for the workers and residents nearby.

Australia: Chemical leak at Port of Brisbane

A crane has been used to remove a container from a ship at the Port of Brisbane amid fears of a chemical leak.

Fire and rescue crews were called to the scene about 3.25am after workers reported a strong odour coming from the shipping container while still aboard the vessel.

The container has been lifted from the ship and opened for inspection by HazMat crews, a Department of Community Safety spokesman said.

"It is understood the chemical is a resin or glue-type substance."

No one has been injured or evacuated, however the exact cause of the leak and the chemical involved is still to be determined.

US_OR Teen faces federal charges in chemical explosion at Crater High
MEDFORD, Ore. - The teenager who says he set-off a chemical bomb as a prank at Crater High School is now facing federal charges.

He appeared before a judge in juvenile court Thursday.

The Jackson County District Attorney's Office says the 16-year-old police believe set off a homemade bomb at the high school plead not guilty. He is charged with possession and manufacturing of a destructive device, both federal offenses. He is facing "C" felony charges. If found guilty, he could be fined or placed on probation, even up to his 25th birthday.


Reported Detroit school explosion was actually chemical leak

DETROIT -- (03/04/10) -- Authorities say a homemade chemical device released "powerful fumes" and some liquid in the hallway of a Detroit school and that a student has been taken into custody.

Detroit Police spokesman John Roach says no one was injured in the Wednesday incident at the Phoenix Multicultural Academy on the city's southwest side. He says the bomb squad recovered the remains of the device.

The pre-kindergarten-through-8th grade school with 540 students was evacuated and students were transferred to the nearby Roberto Clemente Learning Academy. Detroit Public Schools' spokeswoman Jennifer Mrozowski says authorities aren't releasing the suspect's identity or details.

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