From: "Secretary, ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety" <secretary**At_Symbol_Here**DCHAS.ORG>
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Chemical Safety headlines from Google (9 articles)
Date: April 30, 2012 9:40:17 AM EDT
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
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Chemical Safety Headlines From Google
Monday, April 30, 2012 9:37:36 AM

A service of the ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety
Connecting Chemistry and Safety at http://www.dchas.org
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Table of Contents (9 articles)

DEQ: CHEMICAL SPILL NOT A THREAT TO NEW RIVER
Tags: us_VA, industrial, release, environmental, unknown_chemical

FIREFIGHTERS RESPOND TO EARLY MORNING FIRES AT SHERWIN-WILLIAMS, VACANT HOME
Tags: us_OH, public, explosion, response, paints

PUNJAB FACTORY FIRE
Tags: India, industrial, explosion, death, unknown_chemical

'SHAKE AND BAKE' METH LAB EXPLODES IN MAN'S PANTS DURING SCUFFLE WITH STATE TROOPER
Tags: us_OK, public, explosion, response, meth_lab

SOMDNEWS.COM: MERCURY SPILL SENDS 2 TO HOSPITAL
Tags: us_MD, education, release, response, mercury

FAMILY SICKENED BY FUMES IN TANEY COUNTY
Tags: us_MO, public, release, injury, other_chemical

POLICE: MAN BURNED WHEN METH LAB EXPLODES IN HOME
Tags: us_FL, public, explosion, injury, meth_lab

RFD SUCCESSFULLY BATTLES HEAT FROM MOLTEN GLASS SPILL
Tags: us_IN, industrial, fire, response, other_chemical

DOGS ACCIDENTALLY POISON VETERINARY ASSISTANTS.
Tags: public, release, injury, pesticides


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DEQ: CHEMICAL SPILL NOT A THREAT TO NEW RIVER
http://www2.wsls.com/news/2012/apr/28/deq-chemical-spill-not-threat-new-river-ar-1876346/
Tags: us_VA, industrial, release, environmental, unknown_chemical

ROANOKE, Va. --
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality says a small chemical spill at the Celanese plant in Giles County doesn't appear to be a threat to the New River.

The nonhazardous spill occurred on Thursday night.

DEQ has not received any reports that the material leaked into the nearby New River and no damage to wildlife has been observed.

Linda Beheler, a Dallas-based spokeswoman for Celanese, said Friday that fewer than 5 gallons of fire suppression foam leaked into the plant's rainwater drainage system during a routine safety test.

The foam is considered nonhazardous.

She says the company's internal hazardous

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FIREFIGHTERS RESPOND TO EARLY MORNING FIRES AT SHERWIN-WILLIAMS, VACANT HOME
http://www.chillicothegazette.com/article/20120429/NEWS01/120430001/Firefighters-respond-early-morning-fires-Sherwin-Williams-vacant-home
Tags: us_OH, public, explosion, response, paints

CHILLICOTHE Ñ Monday started off busy for Chillicothe firefighters who responded to two nearly back-to-back fires.

The first call came in just before midnight at the Sherwin-Williams store at 170 N. Bridge St.

"When they first pulled up, they had fire coming out of the northside door. As they were doing a walk around, the roof collapsed," said Interim Fire Chief Jeff Creed.

Popping noises could be heard in the minutes of the fire, presumably from cans of paint exploding. As of 2:30 a.m., Bridge Street remained closed between Riverside and East Water streets. However, Creed anticipated the street to be open for the morning rush hour.

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PUNJAB FACTORY FIRE
http://www.ianslive.in/index.php?param=news/385886/LatestNews/31
Tags: India, industrial, explosion, death, unknown_chemical

Chandigarh, April 30: At least four workers were killed and 12 others received burn injuries Monday after a chemical factory caught fire in Punjab's industrial town of Lalru, 30 km from here, police said.

The fire started following a blast in a reactor of the factory, a police officer said.

According to police, four bodies have been recovered so far from the factory.

At least 12 workers, who had received burn injuries, were rushed to nearby hospitals. The seriously injured ones were referred to the Government Medical College and Hospital in Chandigarh's Sector 32, the officer added.

Fire tenders arrived from the industrial town of Derabassi and other places, but it took some time to control the fire, police said.

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'SHAKE AND BAKE' METH LAB EXPLODES IN MAN'S PANTS DURING SCUFFLE WITH STATE TROOPER
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2136304/Shake-bake-meth-lab-explodes-mans-pants-scuffle-state-trooper.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
Tags: us_OK, public, explosion, response, meth_lab

A portable methamphetamine lab exploded in a man's pants as he scuffled with a state trooper who chased after him when he noticed an unusual chemical smell.

David Williams, 54, was caught with the homemade device - also known as the 'shake and bake' method - after an Oklahoma Highway Patrol officer pulled over the SUV he was travelling in for speeding.

While issuing a speeding fine to the driver the officer sniffed a suspicious chemical odor and began to question Williams.

But Williams made a run for it and the officer reported that the meth was leaking down Williams' leg as he tried to escape shortly after midnight on Friday morning.

The officer gave chase and soon caught Williams. As the pair struggled the Ôactive meth lab' stashed in Williams' pants burst - covering him in the substance.

Medical personnel checked over Williams at the scene but - despite the explosion - he was not injured.

The portable meth lab, also called the 'one pot' method, is produced in a plastic bottle.

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SOMDNEWS.COM: MERCURY SPILL SENDS 2 TO HOSPITAL
http://www.somdnews.com/article/20120427/NEWS/704279539/1229/possible-mercury-spill-at-stethem-affects-5-high-schools&template=southernMaryland
Tags: us_MD, education, release, response, mercury

Two high school students were sent to a hospital because they showed "medical symptoms" after a mercury spill Friday morning, said Charles County Public Schools spokeswoman Katie O'Malley-Simpson.

She did not know what the symptoms were, or where they were sent, but said they had been observed by nurses and emergency medical technicians at Maurice J. McDonough High School in Pomfret. They were sent for treatment as a "precautionary measure," O'Malley-Simpson.

The incident began Friday morning when an old heating or air-conditioning unit part broke open during an occupational training class at Robert D. Stethem Educational Center in Pomfret, O'Malley Simpson said.

The part contained mercury, which spilled onto the floor. The student who dropped the part, with the help of a friend, cleaned up the spill themselves. When a substitute teacher learned what had happened, he ordered the teenagers out of the classroom, she said.

They were then bussed back to their respective home high schools. Most of the 16 students attend McDonough, but a few attend Henry E. Lackey in Indian Head and Thomas Stone in Waldorf. In addition, one student each attends La Plata and Westlake in Waldorf, she said.

At McDonough, the two students who were later sent to a hospital went to the nurses' office and reported their exposure. On the advice of firefighters who happened to be visiting, school officials declared "shelter in place," status, meaning that for the most part students and staff did not leave their classrooms, O'Malley-Simpson said.

McDonough and the Stethem students have been examined for mercury contamination, and none was found, O'Malley-Simpson said. Their shoes were bagged and examined by a fire department hazmat team or a Maryland Department of the Environment inspector and tested before being returned.

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FAMILY SICKENED BY FUMES IN TANEY COUNTY
http://articles.ky3.com/2012-04-27/chemical-reaction_31414586
Tags: us_MO, public, release, injury, other_chemical

TANEY COUNTY, Mo. -- A Taney County family is recovering after they were sickened by toxic fumes from chemicals used to clear a clogged pipe. The incident happened at a home on the 900 block of Painter Road on Thursday night.

A hazardous materials team targeted the source of the fumes to the kitchen where one of the residents used three types of acid in an effort to clear the drain. Firefighters spent two hours removing the plumbing in the kitchen plumbing and cleaning up all the chemicals.

Assistant Chief, Bruce Bjorge with the Western Taney County Fire District said, "This incident serves as a good reminder to everyone that when individuals use household chemicals for any purpose special care should be taken to use them properly. However this is especially true when stronger chemicals are going to be used. Examples would be chemicals used to strip paint, clear clogged drains, and other purposes or when they say industrial or professional strength. Be sure to read the labels on the packages and know how to use the products as they were intended. People should refrain from mixing chemicals of any type unless they are following specific instructions for a specific purpose."

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POLICE: MAN BURNED WHEN METH LAB EXPLODES IN HOME
http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/east-volusia/2012/04/28/police-man-burned-when-meth-lab-explodes-in-home.html
Tags: us_FL, public, explosion, injury, meth_lab

DAYTONA BEACH -- A man was severely burned in an explosion Friday morning while making methamphetamine at a Fairway Estates house known for drug activity, police said.

The Daytona Beach Police Department at 6:50 a.m. learned Kenneth Roberts, 44, had burns and injuries consistent with chemical exposure, possibly a meth lab explosion or related fire, according Detective John Creamer, police spokesman.

Roberts' injuries were so severe he was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center to treat his burns. He was in stable condition later Friday, Creamer said.

Officers responding to 1210 Margina Ave. found the remnants of a fire consistent with materials used in the production of methamphetamine.

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RFD SUCCESSFULLY BATTLES HEAT FROM MOLTEN GLASS SPILL
http://www.pal-item.com/article/20120421/NEWS01/204210308/RFD-successfully-battles-heat-from-molten-glass-spill
Tags: us_IN, industrial, fire, response, other_chemical

Quick action by firefighters and efficient response by local utilities likely prevented a more serious outcome during an incident Friday morning at Johns Manville in Richmond.

Richmond Fire Department Chief Mike Crawley said a fire was caused when an elbow joint on a hopper came loose, spilling molten glass inside the facility at 814 Richmond Ave.

Crawley said the temperature of the glass can reach in excess of 2,100 degrees, and RFD Battalion Chief Bob O'Neil said Friday afternoon that there were several tense moments Friday morning as the glass spread throughout the building and threatened to destroy the structure.

"You can't walk into the building now it is so hot," O'Neil said just before 5 p.m. Friday.

"At one time, I thought we were going to lose the building. We had two ladder crews putting cold water on the molten glass and we had more lines running into the building to cool the glass, but the smoke was getting worse and I was worried we were going to lose it."

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DOGS ACCIDENTALLY POISON VETERINARY ASSISTANTS.
http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-dogs-poison-vets-20120426,0,3520688.story
Tags: public, release, injury, pesticides

At least eight veterinary workers have been poisoned by exposure to potentially lethal phosphine gas when dogs being treated for ingesting pest-killing chemicals have thrown up in their offices, and health officials suspect there may be other unreported cases as well. All of the human victims recovered with no lasting effects, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned that more serious incidents could occur and cautioned veterinarians to be alert.

Zinc phosphide is a widely used rodent killer. When it is ingested, contact with stomach acid and water produces phosphine gas, which is highly toxic. If the animals are induced to regurgitate the poison -- standard procedure -- phosphine gas can be released into the office, exposing workers.

In one such incident reported in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report on Thursday, a 70-pound dog that had eaten rodenticide was brought into a veterinary hospital in Michigan. When vomiting was induced with hydrogen peroxide, two workers were poisoned by exposure to the resulting gas. One technician reported shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, headache and nausea. An office manager reported similar symptoms, as well as lightheadedness. Four other workers reported only one symptom, such as chest tightness, chest pain or headache, and were not considered poisoned. All six recovered without hospitalization.

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