From: "Secretary, ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety" <secretary**At_Symbol_Here**DCHAS.ORG>
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Chemical Safety headlines from Google (14 articles)
Date: July 25, 2012 7:48:43 AM EDT
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Message-ID: <F85F393D-2245-459F-BF17-19C497C94D3C**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org>

Chemical Safety Headlines From Google
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 7:48:27 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 (14 articles)

SMELL'S SOURCE REMAINS RIDDLE (FROM OXFORD MAIL)
Tags: United_Kingdom, laboratory, release, response, unknown_chemical

BAG OF METH LAB TRASH EXPLODES IN ROOTSTOWN AFTER BEING HIT BY MOWER
Tags: us_OH, public, fire, response, illegal, meth_lab, waste

BP WORKER FOCUS CONTRIBUTED TO EXPLOSION
Tags: us_LA, industrial, follow-up, death

DANGERS OF USING ILLEGAL CHEMICALS
Tags: Australia, industrial, follow-up, response, explosives, illegal

HOMEMADE BUG BOMB SETS OFF PANIC AT SOUTHEAST OKC APARTMENTS
Tags: us_OK, public, release, response, pesticides

FORKLIFT IS BLAMED IN FIRE AT AN OKLAHOMA CITY CHEMICAL PLANT FIRE
Tags: us_OK, industrial, fire, response, various_chemicals

U.S. CHEMICAL SAFETY BOARD INVESTIGATES OFF SHORE INDUSTRY USE OF SAFETY INDICATORS
Tags: us_TX, industrial, follow-up, response

FIREFIGHTERS RESPOND TO NITRIC ACID SPILL AT LACONIA BUSINESS
Tags: us_NH, industrial, release, injury, acids, nitric_acid

SMALL CHEMICAL FIRE IN LIFE SCIENCES BUILDING
Tags: us_LA, laboratory, fire, response, unknown_chemical

TULSA POLICE FIND EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS IN HOUSE WHILE SERVING WAR
Tags: us_OK, public, discovery, response, bomb

WELL BLOWOUT FORCES EVACUATION IN WAYNE COUNTY
Tags: us_MS, public, release, response, hydrogen_sulfide

FIRE AT VALERO REFINERY IN MERAUX EXTINGUISHED
Tags: us_LA, industrial, fire, response, petroleum

OLD FUEL TANK CATCHES FIRE IN CHELSEA
Tags: us_MA, industrial, fire, response, metals

REPORTS OF AMMONIA LEAK CLOSE SEATTLE STREETS
Tags: us_WA, industrial, release, response, ammonia


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SMELL'S SOURCE REMAINS RIDDLE (FROM OXFORD MAIL)
http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/9834995.Smell___s_source_remains_riddle/
Tags: United_Kingdom, laboratory, release, response, unknown_chemical

FIREFIGHTERS were unable to identify the source of a smell which led to them closing off South Parks Road on Monday.

The road was shut at about 8.30pm after reports of a "strong chemical smell" at Oxford University 's Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory. It was reopened three hours later.

A fire service spokesman said the smell was not considered hazardous.

The university said no gas or chemical leak was found and the building, which was evacuated, was reopened at midnight.

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

BAG OF METH LAB TRASH EXPLODES IN ROOTSTOWN AFTER BEING HIT BY MOWER
http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2012/07/meth_lab_trash_explodes_in_roo.html
Tags: us_OH, public, fire, response, illegal, meth_lab, waste

ROOTSTOWN, Ohio -- A work crew mowed over a garbage bag on Lynn Road and it burst into flames today because it contained waste from an illegal methamphetamine lab.
The Portage County Drug Task Force was called by the Rootstown Township Road Department after the fire was doused by the worker.
"Task Force members stabilized the chemicals and contacted a chemical disposal company to dispose of it," said a statement from the task force.
Portage County Sheriff David Doak said this is the third meth lab the Task Force has dealt with in the past five days and the labs continue to be a growing problem in the Portage County area.
Doak warned people to not touch trash bags, packages or backpacks found along the road because they could contain explosive chemicals used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. They should contact their local police departments if they observe such a package.

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

BP WORKER FOCUS CONTRIBUTED TO EXPLOSION
http://www.sfgate.com/nation/article/BP-worker-focus-contributed-to-explosion-3732557.php
Tags: us_LA, industrial, follow-up, death

BP and the drilling contractor that operated the ill-fated Deepwater Horizon were so focused on worker safety they didn't do enough to prevent major hazards, such as the 2010 rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico that killed 11 people, federal investigators said Tuesday.

The preliminary findings were presented by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, a panel that often probes industry accidents but does not have regulatory authority.

The panel listed a litany of problems large and small they had already uncovered even though it has not received all of the records from Transocean, the drilling contractor that has challenged the board's right to investigate the offshore incident.

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

DANGERS OF USING ILLEGAL CHEMICALS
http://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/story/2012/07/25/dangers-buying-illegal-chemicals-explosives/
Tags: Australia, industrial, follow-up, response, explosives, illegal

THE Queensland Government has issued a warning on the dangers posed by using illegal explosive mixtures for target practice.

The product Tannerite, a mix of two chemical compounds that form a volatile substance,will explode when struck or shot at.

The notice from the State Government's Explosives Inspectorate stated "Some Queensland shooters are using products containing explosives for target practice".

"Tannerite includes ingredients that are classed as explosives - and it is illegal in Queensland to use explosives for target practice."

One website selling the compounds describe them as being apparently being safe in the presence of fire or electricity.

However, to create the exploding target, the two must be mixed together - and manufacturing explosives carries a heavy fine.

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

HOMEMADE BUG BOMB SETS OFF PANIC AT SOUTHEAST OKC APARTMENTS
http://www.news9.com/story/19097331/homemade-bug-bomb-sets-off-panic-at-southeast-okc-apartment-complex
Tags: us_OK, public, release, response, pesticides

OKLAHOMA CITY - A strange odor at an apartment complex near S.E. 44th Street and Sunnylane in Oklahoma City led to a hazmat situation early Tuesday morning.
Around 4 a.m., residents became concerned when a powerful smell began drifting through Raleigh Square Apartments. Someone called 911, and firefighters and hazmat crews responded to the scene. They evacuated some residents while crews investigated the odor.

Hazmat investigators soon learned a resident had set up a homemade bug bomb in an apartment to get rid of pests, and left the unit. When firefighters entered the apartment, it was filled with a haze and bad smell, but there was no danger.

The homemade bug bomb was thrown away and residents were allowed back into their apartments.

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

FORKLIFT IS BLAMED IN FIRE AT AN OKLAHOMA CITY CHEMICAL PLANT FIRE
http://newsok.com/update-people-within-a-half-mile-being-evacuated-from-scene-of-chemical-fire-in-southeast-oklahoma-city/article/3695091
Tags: us_OK, industrial, fire, response, various_chemicals

A fire Tuesday at a chemical plant near Interstate 35 in southeast Oklahoma City caused explosions and evacuations, but no injuries.
The five-alarm fire at Bachman Services Inc., 2220 S Prospect Ave., caused concerns because of the chemicals involved, Deputy Fire Chief Marc Woodard said.
The company had 400 55-gallon drums of various chemicals and chemical mixes, Woodard said.
One chemical was identified as triazine, an emulsion breaker that is flammable and toxic.
Triazine is also a skin, eye and respiratory irritant, Woodard said.
Firefighters used foam to put out fire near the chemicals that would react with water, fire Maj. Tammy McKinney said.
Firefighters had to be bathed in soap and water and sprayed down after fighting the fire because of the potential danger of chemicals mixing with the water used to fight the fire, Woodard said. No injuries were reported, but paramedics treated three people for heat exhaustion on the scene, he said.

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

U.S. CHEMICAL SAFETY BOARD INVESTIGATES OFF SHORE INDUSTRY USE OF SAFETY INDICATORS
http://idevmail.americaneagle.com/message.aspx?d=30&m=1008&e=Rstuartcih**At_Symbol_Here**me.com&r=4791767&f=TEXT
Tags: us_TX, industrial, follow-up, response

CSB Investigation: At the Time of 2010 Gulf Blowout, Transocean, BP, Industry Associations, and Government Offshore Regulators Had Not Effectively Learned Critical Lessons from 2005 BP Texas City Refinery Explosion in Implementing Safety Performance Indicators

Investigators Cite Progress Overseas and in U.S. Refining and Chemical Sectors, Conclude Offshore Oil Exploration and Production Safety Will Benefit from Effective Use of Major Accident Indicators

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

FIREFIGHTERS RESPOND TO NITRIC ACID SPILL AT LACONIA BUSINESS
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/6430245ea42546b0939052368fcb17a7/NH--Laconia-Hazmat-Situation
Tags: us_NH, industrial, release, injury, acids, nitric_acid

LACONIA, N.H. Ñ Firefighters have evacuated some homes and blocked several streets in Laconia, N.H., after responding to a 275-gallon nitric acid spill at an electronics company.

Firefighters were called to ABC Fabricators after 5 a.m. Tuesday.

Fire Chief Kenneth Erickson told WMUR-TV (http://bit.ly/M76d9P) there was concern that the acid could react with the building's wooden structure and catch fire, and that people could breathe the acid in, causing serious medical issues.

Six firefighters went to the hospital as a precaution.

A man who identified himself as the manager said the spill was being treated and cleaned. He said it was under control.

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

SMALL CHEMICAL FIRE IN LIFE SCIENCES BUILDING
http://www.lsureveille.com/small-chemical-fire-in-life-sciences-building-1.2748335#.UA6E7GFYsU0
Tags: us_LA, laboratory, fire, response, unknown_chemical

A small chemical fire started in the Life Sciences Building late Monday night.
The fire was contained and no one was injured, according to a fireman on the scene.
Despite the small size of the fire, emergency vehicles flooded South Campus Drive. Two police cars were instructing traffic at South Campus Drive and Tower Drive, while a fire truck, ambulance, and more police cars blocked South Campus Drive from Highland Road.

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

TULSA POLICE FIND EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS IN HOUSE WHILE SERVING WAR
http://www.newson6.com/story/19094306/tulsa-police-find-explosive-materials-in-house-while-serving-warrant
Tags: us_OK, public, discovery, response, bomb

TULSA, Oklahoma - Police went to a home in north Tulsa to serve a search warrant Monday, but something they found in the house prompted them to call in the bomb squad.
It started around 7:30 p.m., at 1540 North Florence Place.

Police said they were there to serve a warrant for complaints having to do with stolen property and drugs when officers found a chemical they believed to be an explosive.

TPD's bomb squad was called to the home, as well as a hazardous materials unit.

The bomb squad tested the chemical and found that it was an explosive. They detonated it in a controlled explosion, but have since found more inside the house. They've also detonated two explosive devices.

Captain Ryan Perkins, Tulsa Police, said, "We're also, of course, gonna try to take a sample of it to the best of our ability with the Hazmat unit and some of the support functions that the bomb squad has."

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

WELL BLOWOUT FORCES EVACUATION IN WAYNE COUNTY
http://www.wlox.com/story/19075819/well-blowout-forces-evacuation-in-wayne-county
Tags: us_MS, public, release, response, hydrogen_sulfide

Wayne County, MS (WLOX) -
WLOX News is following reports from Wayne County about a well blowout which is leaking hydrogen sulfide near the town of Clara.

According to a Mississippi Emergency Management Agency news release, a one mile radius around the site has been evacuated. Seven homes are in the evacuation area.

All non-essential personnel are asked to stay out of the area due to the dangerous conditions created by the leaking gas. Residents will be notified when it is safe to return to the area.

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

FIRE AT VALERO REFINERY IN MERAUX EXTINGUISHED
http://www.knoe.com/story/19083394/fire-at-valero-refinery-in-meraux-extinguished
Tags: us_LA, industrial, fire, response, petroleum

MERAUX, La. (AP) - Authorities say a three-alarm fire that broke out early Sunday morning at the Valero refinery here did not cause any injuries or force any evacuations.

The Times-Picayune reports (http://bit.ly/NJiIGX ) that the fire broke out in a crude unit of the former Murphy Oil refinery at about 1:45 a.m. and was extinguished by 7 a.m.

Valero spokesman Bill Day says there were no injuries and that the fire did not cause any environmental concerns. Nearby roads were closed briefly.

Day says a damage assessment was being done and that the cause of the fire is under investigation.

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

OLD FUEL TANK CATCHES FIRE IN CHELSEA
http://bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/20220723old_fuel_tank_catches_fire_in_chelsea/
Tags: us_MA, industrial, fire, response, metals

An old fuel tank burst into flames along the Mystic River in Chelsea this morning when workers dismantling the metal container sparked the blaze with blow torches, officials said.

"They told us the tanks had been drained and cleaned," Chelsea Fire Deputy Chief John Quatieri said at the scene this morning. "We don't know what was in that tank that ignited. We're in the process of testing it."

Construction workers using blow torches ignited a small blaze at 7 a.m. that was quickly extinguished. A fire detail was on duty at the scene, Quatieri said.

As Chelsea fire hazardous materials experts were inspecting the tank and its contents, workers continuing to work on the container sparked a second larger inferno.

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

REPORTS OF AMMONIA LEAK CLOSE SEATTLE STREETS
http://www.theolympian.com/2012/07/23/2182795/reports-of-ammonia-leak-close.html
Tags: us_WA, industrial, release, response, ammonia

SEATTLE - The Seattle Fire Department says reports of ammonia leak at the Darigold plant in the city's Rainier Valley shut down surrounding streets and caused an evacuation of the building.

Crews told employees to leave the plant on Rainier Avenue South just after 7:30 a.m. Monday and all employees were accounted for.

The leaking pipe was repaired, but crews were still cleaning up a large amount of ammonia that leaked and expect to be on site through midday.

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