From: "Secretary, ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety" <secretary**At_Symbol_Here**DCHAS.ORG>
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Chemical Safety headlines from Google (13 articles)
Date: June 18, 2012 7:46:21 AM EDT
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Message-ID: <430293E7-0EBA-4E99-8645-F170F058EB0F**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org>

Chemical Safety Headlines From Google
Monday, June 18, 2012 7:45:53 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 (13 articles)

FOUR ARRESTED AFTER METH LAB EXPLOSION IN ANDOVER
Tags: us_NY, public, explosion, injury, illegal, meth_lab

FIRE AT PLASTICS PLANT CREATES HAZARDOUS FUMES IN ZION Ç CBS CHICAGO
Tags: us_IL, industrial, fire, response, plastics

HAZMAT OFFICIALS SAY GAS LEAK NOT DANGEROUS DESPITE REPORTS OF IRRITATION
Tags: us_CA, industrial, release, response, hydrogen_sulfide

INDUSTRIAL SOLVENT SENDS ONE MAN TO HOSPITAL
Tags: us_MT, public, release, injury, solvent

PATIENT SEEKING TREATMENT PROMPTS HAZMAT RESPONSE AT LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL
Tags: us_PA, public, release, injury, dust

HAZMAT CREWS RESPOND TO FUEL SPILL ON DORCHESTER AVENUE
Tags: us_MA, transportation, release, response, gasoline

CHEMICAL FIRE IN WALLINGTON (FROM YOUR LOCAL GUARDIAN)
Tags: United_Kingdom, public, fire, response, unknown_chemical

GRANT CO. SHERIFF'S OFFICE GIVES ALL CLEAR FOLLOWING CHEMICAL LEAK
Tags: us_WA, industrial, explosion, response, unknown_chemical

FIREFIGHTER TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL AFTER LAWN CHEMICAL SPILL
Tags: us_KY, transportation, release, injury, ag_chems

CLEANING-LIQUID SPILL CAUSES MINOR EVACUATION AT SEABROOK NUKE PLANT
Tags: us_NH, industrial, release, response, ammonia

TWO WORKERS INJURED IN EAST WINDSOR FIRE
Tags: us_NJ, public, fire, injury, unknown_chemical

18 TAKEN TO HOSPITAL FOLLOWING ACID SPILL AT VAN WYCK JUNIOR HIGH
Tags: us_NY, laboratory, release, injury, sulfuric_acid

1 DEAD, 3 HURT IN BLAST SOUTH OF DOWNTOWN LA
Tags: us_CA, public, explosion, death, gas_cylinders


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FOUR ARRESTED AFTER METH LAB EXPLOSION IN ANDOVER
http://www.wellsvilledaily.com/news/x69093884/Four-arrested-after-meth-lab-explosion-in-Andover
Tags: us_NY, public, explosion, injury, illegal, meth_lab

ANDOVER Ñ
Amity-based state police are investigating an explosion and fire to a trailer at 3543 County Road 22, Lot #10, in the town of Andover Saturday night.

The investigation has led to the arrests of four individuals for third-degree unlawful manufacture of methamphetamine, criminal possession of precursors of methamphetamine and second-degree criminal possession of methamphetamine manufacturing material. Three of them, Steven M. Weiss, 22, Elizabeth K. Martin, 21, and Angie M. Matison, 34, all of Andover, were arraigned this morning in town of Scio court and sent to the county jail in lieu of $10,000 bail or $20,000 bond.

The fourth suspect, age 26, is in state police custody at Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville awaiting discharge from treatment for first- and second-degree burns and smoke inhalation from the fire.

The fire and explosion caused extensive damage to the east side of the trailer and the cause is still under investigation by the town of Andover Fire Department and Allegany County fire investigators.

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FIRE AT PLASTICS PLANT CREATES HAZARDOUS FUMES IN ZION Ç CBS CHICAGO
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/06/17/fire-at-plastics-plant-creates-hazardous-fumes-in-zion/
Tags: us_IL, industrial, fire, response, plastics

ZION, Ill. (STMW) - Officials evacuated part of Zion for almost two hours Sunday morning due to hazardous fumes from a fire that broke out at Maine Plastics.

Zion Fire Department responded to a fire at Maine Plastics, located at 1817 Kenosha Road (near the intersection of Route 173 and Kenosha Road), about 7 a.m., according to Zion Fire Chief John Lewis. A total of 35 different fire departments responded to the three-alarm fire.

Pallets containing plastic products from the plant and cardboard were on fire. The plastic contains acetol, a chemical that gives off formaldehyde, Lewis said.

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HAZMAT OFFICIALS SAY GAS LEAK NOT DANGEROUS DESPITE REPORTS OF IRRITATION
http://hercules.patch.com/articles/hazmat-officials-say-gas-leak-not-dangerous-despite-reports-of-irritation
Tags: us_CA, industrial, release, response, hydrogen_sulfide

Contra Costa County hazardous materials officials said at least 10 people have reported nausea, throat irritation and respiratory symptoms due to gas released in the air from a water tank rupture this morning at the ConocoPhillips refinery in Rodeo.

A rupture in a sulfur-water tank at the plant around 7 a.m. today caused a sour smell and reports of adverse health effects, but the levels of hydrogen sulfide in the air remain about 1,000 times below what is considered dangerous, said Steve Morioka, assistant director of the county's hazardous materials program.

The county health department has issued a health advisory in connection with the gas leak and is advising people with respiratory problems to stay indoors or avoid the area around the refinery, which includes Crockett, Rodeo and Hercules, Morioka said.

"People with respiratory conditions are more susceptible to lower levels of pollutants," he said.

As of noontime, county hazardous materials workers were monitoring affected communities and ConocoPhillips staff were working to stop the release of gas and reduce odors caused by the tank rupture.

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INDUSTRIAL SOLVENT SENDS ONE MAN TO HOSPITAL
http://www.beartoothnbc.com/news/helena/23511-industrial-solvent-sends-one-man-to-hospital.html
Tags: us_MT, public, release, injury, solvent

Three people are okay after being exposed to a chemical substance today.
The Helena Fire Department Hazmat Team determined the substance to be an industrial solvent. Helena Parking Commission officials found the substance in their safety deposit box this morning. The substance was corroding the box it was in when police first discovered it.

Lieutenant Steve Hagen, with the Helena Police Department, says, "We also got a call from the construction crews working at Sixth and Jackson. They had also had that same substance sprayed on their trucks. Three of the individuals had to leave because it had contact with their skin and they had pretty bad irritation of their skin."

One of the workers went to St. Peter's Hospital for minor injuries. The other two were able to shower off the chemical

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PATIENT SEEKING TREATMENT PROMPTS HAZMAT RESPONSE AT LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL
http://www.wfmz.com/news/news-regional-lehighvalley/Patient-seeking-treatment-prompts-hazmat-response-at-Lehigh-Valley-Hospital/-/132502/14860600/-/rsml1bz/-/index.html
Tags: us_PA, public, release, injury, dust

SALISBURY TWP., Pa. -
Epsom salts are to blame for a Hazmat incident that closed the parking lot for the emergency room of Lehigh Valley Hospital, Pennsylvania State Police.

The 43-year-old woman went to the ER around 2:45 p.m. Thursday after getting the powder on her hands while retrieving the mail at Longswamp United Church of Christ in Longswamp Twp., Berks Co., police said.

The woman reported itching and then later experienced respiratory problems before going to the hospital for treatment.

After answering questions from doctors, it was determined whatever she was exposed to was still in her car, which was parked in the ER's parking lot of Cedar Crest Boulevard in Salisbury Twp., Lehigh Co.

Police, fire and hazmat crews were called in to collect the materials for testing. The FBI later determined the substance was not dangerous, but declined to identify it, officials said.

Patients arriving at the emergency room by car had to use the ambulance entrance until the main entrance was reopened.

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HAZMAT CREWS RESPOND TO FUEL SPILL ON DORCHESTER AVENUE
http://www.myfoxboston.com/story/18795757/2012/06/15/hazmat-crews-respond-to-fuel-spill-on-dorchester-avenue
Tags: us_MA, transportation, release, response, gasoline

(FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) - Hazmat Units from both the Boston Police Department and the Boston Fire Department responded to a gasoline spill in the area of 1246 Dorchester Ave. late Thursday evening.

Around 11:18 p.m. on Thursday, a gasoline tanker carrying 11,000 gallons of fuel struck a light pole in the area of 1246 Dorchester Ave. between Freeport Street and Savin Hill Avenue. During the crash, the tank was punctured and approximately 1,000 gallons of fuel leaked out before a second tanker was brought in to capture the remaining fuel.

Several different agencies were brought in to help with the Level 3 hazmat situation.

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CHEMICAL FIRE IN WALLINGTON (FROM YOUR LOCAL GUARDIAN)
http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/9764091.Chemical_fire_in_Wallington/
Tags: United_Kingdom, public, fire, response, unknown_chemical

Spontaneous chemical combustion sparked a fire underneath a staircase in a family home.

The family left their home in Park Lane, Wallington, at 3.15am this morning and dialled 999 after smelling a strong stench of chemicals.

Firefighters believe a chemical reaction caused a fire to start in some rags covered covered with white spirit under the stairs.

When they arrived the rags were smouldering, leaving a strong stench of chemicals throughout the house.

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GRANT CO. SHERIFF'S OFFICE GIVES ALL CLEAR FOLLOWING CHEMICAL LEAK
http://www.nwcn.com/news/159208625.html
Tags: us_WA, industrial, explosion, response, unknown_chemical

MOSES LAKE-- The people of Moses Lake are now free to leave their homes following a mysterious chemical leak Friday morning.
Witnesses say they heard an explosion shortly before 8:00 at the REC Silicon plant. They said a huge plume of smoke erupted from the building and spread through the area. The Grant County Sheriff's Office said they are not sure if there was, in fact, an explosion. Emergency crews are still working to determine what exactly happened.
The sheriff's office gave the all-clear just after 9:15 a.m. after asking people to stay indoors. Officials considered a possible evacuation, but then decided to ask people to stay in their homes and shut off their ventilation systems. No official evacuation order was ever in place.
No word yet on what the chemical was, nor how it leaked.
Portions of I-90 were shut down, but have since reopened.
We have yet to hear any information from REC about what happened. According to the company's website, REC Silicon is one of the world's largest producers of silicon products. They are commonly used in film and LCD displays. It is also one of the leading players in the solar energy industry.

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FIREFIGHTER TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL AFTER LAWN CHEMICAL SPILL
http://www.wave3.com/story/18782848/firefighter-transported-to-hospital-after-lawn-chemical-spill
Tags: us_KY, transportation, release, injury, ag_chems

OWENSBORO, KY (WAVE) - A lawn service truck carrying weed killing chemicals ended up on its top.

Some chemicals did leak onto the road, but crews were able to stop it.

The lawn truck and another car collided. Neither driver was hurt, but a firefighter was taken to the hospital as a precaution after breathing in some of the chemicals.

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CLEANING-LIQUID SPILL CAUSES MINOR EVACUATION AT SEABROOK NUKE PLANT
http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20120614-NEWS-206140434
Tags: us_NH, industrial, release, response, ammonia

SEABROOK Ñ An "unusual event" was declared at the Seabrook Station nuclear power plant Wednesday afternoon after a small spill of cleaning liquid in a stock room at the plant's administration building led to the evacuation of the building's first floor.

The declaration was made at 1:45 p.m., according to Neil Sheehan, a Nuclear Regulatory Commission spokesman. Sheehan said the evacuation and the accidental spill required the declaration of an "unusual event," which is the lowest of the NRC's four emergency classifications.

"The 'unusual event' is designed to signal to the outside world that there is something out of the ordinary taking place at the plant," said Sheehan, who called the event very minor.

Sheehan said the spill involved less than a gallon of ammonia hydroxide.

"By procedure and requirement, we are required to declare an emergency in a situation like this when we have an unexpected spill of what could be considered a caustic agent, like ammonia is," said Al Griffith, spokesman for the plant.

Workers cleaned up the liquid and ventilated the first floor.

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

TWO WORKERS INJURED IN EAST WINDSOR FIRE
http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2012/06/two_workers_injured_in_east_wi.html
Tags: us_NJ, public, fire, injury, unknown_chemical

EAST WINDSOR Ñ Two workers performing maintenance on an air-conditioning unit at a residence on Pebble Road suffered chemical burns yesterday when the unit released a pressurized gas, officials said.
Robert Harris, 44, of Manalapan suffered severe burns to his arms, legs and face, and Derek Fix, 20, of Bayville sustained minor burns to his head and face, authorities said.
Both men, employees of Temprite Heating and Cooling, were taken via ambulance to the University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro, authorities said.
The residents were home at the time, but they did not sustain any injuries.
The East Windsor Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, Hightstown Fire Company, Plainsboro Fire Company and Capital Health Systems EMS responded to the call.
At 2:03 p.m., officers arrived at a residence on Conover Road, where the master bedroom was on fire. The fire was contained and extinguished, but the bedroom sustained extensive fire damage, authorities said.

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18 TAKEN TO HOSPITAL FOLLOWING ACID SPILL AT VAN WYCK JUNIOR HIGH
http://www.midhudsonnews.com/News/2012/June/14/VWJHS_acid-14Jun12.html
Tags: us_NY, laboratory, release, injury, sulfuric_acid

EAST FISHKILL - Seventeen eighth graders and a female custodian were taken to St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie after a four ounce bottle of sulfuric acid solution spilled in a science lab at Van Wyck Junior High School in East Fishkill on Wednesday afternoon.

There were 29 students, ages 13 and 14 in the classroom at the time of the 1:20 p.m. incident, said Interim Wappingers Central School District Superintendent Marco Pochintesta.

"All of those who sustained contact with the chemical, either by skin contact or through the air, were decontaminated before being taken by ambulances to the hospital. All of the injuries were reported to be minor", Pochintesta said.

Immediately after the chemical was spilled, Dutchess County 911 and East Fishkill Police were called with emergency responders converging on the school.

Pochintesta praised the emergency personnel who responded immediately and treated those who came in contact with the chemical.

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1 DEAD, 3 HURT IN BLAST SOUTH OF DOWNTOWN LA
http://workstations.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id 71901
Tags: us_CA, public, explosion, death, gas_cylinders

LOS ANGELES (AP) ' A gas tank exploded in an industrial area south of downtown Los Angeles Wednesday, killing one person and injuring three others, authorities said. Investigators were trying to determine what was going on at the site.

The gas cylinder exploded in a building tucked behind a meat market and a bakery at about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, said Mario Rueda, deputy captain of the LA fire department.

One person died after being taken from the scene, said Police Capt. William Hayes. The three others were taken to hospitals, one of them in critical condition and two in fair condition.

Rueda said he could not say what kind of business it was or what type of gas was in the tank, and said both pieces of information were the subject of their joint investigation with police.

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