From: "Secretary, ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety" <secretary**At_Symbol_Here**DCHAS.ORG>
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Chemical Safety headlines from Google (15 articles)
Date: February 24, 2012 8:07:11 AM EST
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Message-ID: <D069DE94-83FE-4DCE-919C-DA3175B3CE7F**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org>

Some editorial notes:
- I don't include releases of fuel from traffic accidents that are part of the normal amount carried by the vehicles for their own use. There are one or two of those in the US each day.
- There have been many meth lab discoveries and/or arrests over the past few weeks; I don't include them unless a fire or explosion is involved or the location is unusual. I do include summary reports of how many of these are being discovered to help CH&S members stay aware of the public awareness of meth labs.
- I don't include white powder or suspicious materials hazmat responses, but there were at least 5 offices of American politicians that had such responses yesterday.

In the lab world, it was a quiet week with regard to events until today: Australia, the UK and Pennsylvania all had lab events.


Chemical Safety Headlines From Google
Friday, February 24, 2012 8:02:41 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 (15 articles)

UNI OF QLD CHEMICAL EXPLOSION SITE CLEARED
Tags: Australia, laboratory, explosion, response, acids

CHEMICAL LEAK IN WALBOTTLE CAMPUS CLASSROOM
Tags: United_Kingdom, laboratory, release, response, bromine

METH MAKERS COULD BE COOKING ON YOUR CORNER
Tags: us_SC, public, follow-up, response, meth_lab

BLAZE AT RAINHAM MARK GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Tags: United_Kingdom, laboratory, fire, response

NWCN.COM WASHINGTON
Tags: us_WA, transportation, release, response, diesel

HAZMAT SITUATION PROMPTS HOTEL EVACUATION
Tags: us_FL, public, explosion, response

POLICE: SUSPECTS FLEE AFTER MOTEL METH LAB CATCHES FIRE
Tags: us_SC, public, fire, response, meth_lab

EDMONTON HAZMAT RESPONDS TO SMOKING ASHTRAY
Tags: Canada, public, fire, response, cyanide

CHEMICAL VAPOURS CAUSE SALON FIRE IN EDINBURGH
Tags: United_Kingdom, public, fire, injury, acetone

HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL SPILL CLOSES I-70 RAMP
Tags: us_IN, transportation, release, response, hydrochloric_acid

OFFICIALS FIND MESS AFTER BREAK-IN AT RONDINELLI'S
Tags: us_OH, public, release, response, other_chemical

FIRE AT HIGH SCHOOL SENDS 7 TO HOSPITAL
Tags: us_PA, laboratory, fire, injury, unknown_chemical

CHEMICAL PLANT BLASTS IN SW CHINA
Tags: China, industrial, explosion, response, acetylene

STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT HAZMAT SITUATIONS
Tags: us_CA, education, discovery, environmental

NITRIC ACID INJURES TWO IN PALM BAY
Tags: us_FL, industrial, release, injury, nitric_acid


---------------------------------------------

UNI OF QLD CHEMICAL EXPLOSION SITE CLEARED
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8425145/chemical-explosion-erupts-at-qld-uni
Tags: Australia, laboratory, explosion, response, acids

A toxic chemical explosion that sparked the evacuation of a university building has been cleaned up.

A corrosive combination of sulphuric, nitric and hydrochloric acids exploded in a cupboard in the University of Queensland's chemical building on Friday morning, the Department of Community Safety says.

The leaking chemical fumes sparked the evacuation of staff and students from the nine-storey building in St Lucia, in Brisbane's inner west.

A DCS spokesman says firefighters have cleaned up the site and atmospheric tests show the area is safe.

---------------------------------------------

CHEMICAL LEAK IN WALBOTTLE CAMPUS CLASSROOM
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2012/02/23/chemical-leak-in-walbottle-campus-classroom-72703-30392262/
Tags: United_Kingdom, laboratory, release, response, bromine

A CHEMICAL leak during a classroom accident sparked fears over the health of two Tyneside students.

A sixth form class at Walbottle Campus in Newcastle, was conducting an experiment when a student dropped a container of the toxic substance, bromine.

The chemical, which smells like bleach, is poisonous and can cause breathing problems, coughing fits, headaches, dizziness and vomiting.

It was feared two students, a lab assistant and a teacher, who were nearest the spillage, had inhaled the fumes.

Paramedics were called out to the school immediately after the incident at about noon.

The remaining seven students in the class were checked over on the spot and given the all-clear.

---------------------------------------------

METH MAKERS COULD BE COOKING ON YOUR CORNER
http://www.abcnews4.com/story/17005331/meth-makers-could-be-cooking-in-your-corner
Tags: us_SC, public, follow-up, response, meth_lab

....
It's no wonder South Carolina ranks among the top ten states with the highest number of meth lab busts last year. According to an Associated Press report, 265 meth lab seizures took place in S.C. in 2011.
....

---------------------------------------------

BLAZE AT RAINHAM MARK GRAMMAR SCHOOL
http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/news/2012/february/24/fire.aspx
Tags: United_Kingdom, laboratory, fire, response

A blaze broke out at Rainham Mark Grammar School in the early hours of this morning - destroying the science block.

Firefighters battled against thick black acrid smoke to stop it spreading to other buildings at the school in Pump Lane.

It is believed it was sparked by a faulty battery tester in the laboratory.

Head teacher Simon Decker said: "I can't thank the fire crews enough. They were here within three minutes and averted what could have been a real disaster as we keep a lot of chemicals in rooms near by."

Twelve firefighters from Medway wearing breathing apparatus used a special fan to pump air into the block to prevent an explosion.

---------------------------------------------

NWCN.COM WASHINGTON
http://www.nwcn.com/home/?fId=140160553&fPath=/news/local&fDomain=10212
Tags: us_WA, transportation, release, response, diesel

SEATTLE -- Seattle Fire Department hazmat crews are cleaning up about 2,000 gallons of diesel fuel that spilled when a locomotive derailed near the Magnolia neighborhood early Thursday.

---------------------------------------------

HAZMAT SITUATION PROMPTS HOTEL EVACUATION
http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/local/022312-Hazmat-situation-prompts-hotel-evacuation
Tags: us_FL, public, explosion, response

ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35, Orlando) - Patrons at a local hotel were shaken from their sleep early Thursday morning after an explosion prompted an evacuation.

It happened around 6:30 a.m. at the Econo Lodge located at 8738 International Drive in Orlando. There are reports that there was an explosion due to a faulty hot water heater and that may have caused a gas leak.

---------------------------------------------

POLICE: SUSPECTS FLEE AFTER MOTEL METH LAB CATCHES FIRE
http://www.foxcarolina.com/story/16999754/police-investigate-greenville-hotel-room
Tags: us_SC, public, fire, response, meth_lab

GREENVILLE, SC (FOX Carolina) -
Fire and Hazmat crews were called to a Greenville hotel Thursday morning for a fire that turned out to be a meth lab, according to police.

Dispatch said they received a fire call Thursday morning for a room at the Regal Inn Motel on Wade Hampton Blvd.

FOX Carolina was at the scene as crews roped off a room before leaving the scene. One hotel room was taped off with chemicals outside on the ground.

---------------------------------------------

EDMONTON HAZMAT RESPONDS TO SMOKING ASHTRAY
http://www.inews880.com/Channels/Reg/LocalNews/story.aspx?ID=1659167
Tags: Canada, public, fire, response, cyanide

The following story is true...only some details have been left out to protect the embarrassed.
A man saw smoke coming from an ashtray early today. That's not unusual by itself but there seemed to be more smoke than usual. The man, now alarmed, looked at the warning printed on his pack of cigarettes. There in black and white under toxic ingredients it listed Hydrogen Cyanide. EMS and Fire were alerted and responded. The mere mention of Hydrogen Cyanide raised concern and a HAZMAT unit was added to the call. When the smoke cleared from the ashtray, the call was rapidly downgraded. All's well that ends well.

---------------------------------------------

CHEMICAL VAPOURS CAUSE SALON FIRE IN EDINBURGH
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-17146958
Tags: United_Kingdom, public, fire, injury, acetone

A beautician is being treated for shock after vapours from nail varnish remover caught fire from a candle in an Edinburgh shop.

An ambulance was called to treat the 46-year-old following the incident at Moi in Comiston Road.

Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue was called to the fire just after 13:00 and it was extinguished by 13:46.

The incident happened after the acetone was spilled and the vapours caught light.

---------------------------------------------

HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL SPILL CLOSES I-70 RAMP
http://tribstar.com/local/x2054913132/Hazardous-chemical-spill-closes-I-70-ramp
Tags: us_IN, transportation, release, response, hydrochloric_acid

TERRE HAUTE Ñ The eastbound on-ramp to Interstate 70 from U.S. 41 remains closed this morning following a chemical spill.

Indiana State Police, Terre Haute Fire and Police departments and Vigo County Emergency Management officials all responded to a reported chemical spill at about 7:20 this morning.

Preliminary investigation found the driver of a truck pulling a flatbed trailer was northbound on U.S. 41 and attempted a right turn onto the eastbound ramp of I-70.

During the traffic maneuver, two 55-gallon plastic containers of hydrochloric acid fell onto the pavement. One of the containers began leaking and spilled approximately 15-20 gallons of the hazardous chemical onto the pavement before being contained by members of the Terre Haute Fire Department. There were no injuries reported by anyone associated with the spill.

---------------------------------------------

OFFICIALS FIND MESS AFTER BREAK-IN AT RONDINELLI'S
http://www.wytv.com/content/news/local/story/Officials-Find-Mess-After-Break-In-at-Rondinellis/ogWwf0Gz4E6GRBBMYGQhPg.cspx
Tags: us_OH, public, release, response, other_chemical

call about a break-in at the old Rondinelli Tuxedo on McGuffey Road in Youngstown resulted in a chemical clean-up.

According to officials, a neighbor told police they saw someone breaking into the building at about 11 a.m.

Youngstown fire Capt. Fred DeLuca said when officials went inside, they smelled a strong odor. Firefighters trained to deal with chemical spills were called in and found a gallon of chemicals used for dry cleaning had spilled on the floor, likely knocked over in the break-in.

Firefighters used an oil absorbent sand to soak up the mess.

---------------------------------------------

FIRE AT HIGH SCHOOL SENDS 7 TO HOSPITAL
http://www.wfmz.com/news/Fire-at-high-school-sends-7-to-hospital/-/121458/8946330/-/27m4bk/-/
Tags: us_PA, laboratory, fire, injury, unknown_chemical

HAMBURG, Pa. -
Seven people went to the hospital Thursday night after a fire broke out in a high school science lab.

It happened late in the afternoon at Hamburg Area High School. Officials said the chemicals in the classroom had them on high alert.

The fire call came in after school ended around 4:30 p.m. Thursday. Crews remained on the scene for hours.

The Hamburg Fire Company said they answered an automatic fire alarm at the Hamburg Area High School.

"Once on scene there were employees here from the school telling me that there was a fire in the science section of the school and that there was an active fire," said Chief Troy Hatt.

Hatt said the fire started in one of the science labs.

"There were janitors trying to put it out and were doing a very good job keeping the fire knocked down until we got here," said Hatt.

Officials said they weren't sure what chemicals were in the science lab and they wanted to make sure everyone involved was okay.

"We actually got them showered and cleaned up here," said Hatt. "And then they went to the hospital to be evaluated because of the inhalation hazard."

Three janitors and four firefighters went to the hospital as a precaution.

The state's department of environmental protection was also on scene.

"Due to the chemicals that were involved in that room," said Hatt.

The chief said the damage went beyond that one room.

---------------------------------------------

CHEMICAL PLANT BLASTS IN SW CHINA
http://english.cri.cn/6909/2012/02/24/1461s682979.htm
Tags: China, industrial, explosion, response, acetylene

An explosion caused a chemical plant in southwest China's Chongqing municipality to catch fire early on Friday morning, local authorities have said.

No casualties have been reported so far after the acetylene-burning blast happened at 3:30 a.m. at a workshop of Fangxin Fine Chemical Co. Ltd. in Jiangbei district, said a spokesman with the district government.

The fire has been controlled, and the cause of the accident is being investigated.

---------------------------------------------

STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT HAZMAT SITUATIONS
http://www.turnto23.com/news/30521169/detail.html
Tags: us_CA, education, discovery, environmental

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Several high school students throughout Kern County got the opportunity to see firsthand what hazmat crews deal with.
One of the ideas behind Youth Leadership Bakersfield is to give students experiences that will help them develop leadership skills and career choices.
On Wednesday, 32 students in the program went to the Department of Public Health, put on protective suits and saw up close and personal what hazmat crews deal with.
"They put us in a situation like it was a real hazardous chemical spill and I was a little bit scared at first, I'm not going to lie," said Avery Andrew, student.
Crews put on a scenario of what they actually do during a hazardous chemical spill, though it wasn't meant to scare students, but broaden their perspective.
"Part of what we do is actually protecting the public and these are the kids that were interested in protecting. We want to make them more aware of what we do and what goes on," said Brian Pitts, Kern County Environmental Health.

---------------------------------------------

NITRIC ACID INJURES TWO IN PALM BAY
http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20120223/NEWS01/302230048/Nitric-acid-injures-two-Palm-Bay?nclick_check=1
Tags: us_FL, industrial, release, injury, nitric_acid

Two people were injured by nitric acid Wednesday at a business in Palm Bay

A male suffered acid burns to the hands, face and neck, and a woman, who pulled the male away from the situation, was treated for exposure. Both were taken to Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, according to Palm Bay Fire-Rescue.

Rescue crews responded at 3:03 p.m. to the nitric acid spill at 2320 Commerce Drive NE.

USBid Inc., where the spill was reported, sells hard-to-find, allocated, and obsolete semiconductors and electronic parts.

The spill occured during the re-cycling cleaning process when nitric acid in a quart jar foamed up from an unanticipated chemical reaction.

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