From: Secretary ACS DCHAS <secretary**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org>
Subject: [DCHAS-L] CHAS Tweets and Chemical Safety headlines (14 articles)
Date: Mon, 16 Sep 2013 07:38:20 -0400
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Message-ID: 55D449A6-4435-4243-857D-FB00B9A9F107**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org


**At_Symbol_Here**ACSDCHAS and **At_Symbol_Here**LabSustain tweets and Chemical Safety Headlines
A service of the ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety
Connecting Chemistry and Safety at http://www.dchas.org
Tagged Article summaries are available at http://pinboard.in/u:dchas

labsustain CEN It?s Not Easy Being Green - a history of environmental chemistry http://t.co/ksexRA4CFK

acsdchas JCHAS: Concerns with chlorhexidine preservatives in refillable portable eyewashes http://t.co/q0oncRemFX

acsdchas C&EN: Chemists have become more environmentally sensitive during the past 50 years, but big challenges remain http://t.co/XLkYQURKHa

CHMMNews Tankers derailed in Lac Megantic not properly documented http://t.co/PmDpF05ME9 #HazMat 1 day ago by acsdchas

acsdchas RT **At_Symbol_Here**CHMMNews: New facility makes disposing hazardous materials in Fresno easier ? http://t.co/glphxWEe7M http://t.co/EoMSod7Xmr #HazMat

acsdchas A routine test of crude oil led to an explosion yesterday injuring two technicians. http://t.co/3PuXlabHZY http://t.co/k0pJ8F0PX0

acsdchas RT **At_Symbol_Here**CHMMNews: The SPCC Plan Hybrid Inspection Program http://t.co/C2gezjwPc6 #HazMat

acsdchas RT **At_Symbol_Here**NIOSH: NIOSH does research on the occupational health implications and applications of #nanomaterials http://t.co/WSEdayIlLe

CHMMNews 40 barrels of hazardous materials discovered ? KIRO Seattle http://t.co/DM6vBmv3JY #HazMat 1 day ago by acsdchas

acsdchas RT **At_Symbol_Here**CHMMNews: Two released from hospital, HazMat unsure what made people ill in Morris medical building http://t.co/mo9MUf14Z8 #HazMat

acsdchas "The Science of Surviving a Chemical Weapons Attack" | http://t.co/Norn7kVDl4 | Fascinating piece by **At_Symbol_Here**jennymarder

acsdchas RT **At_Symbol_Here**christiansarkar: Walmart Is Making Its Suppliers Reveal And Phase Out Toxic Chemicals http://t.co/CIRRQg2vrg

acsdchas Green Chemistry Principle #9 Catalysis Catalytic reagents are superior to stoichiometric reagents." http://t.co/B7wWMO0twO

labsustain RT **At_Symbol_Here**FrackingPA: #environment: EPA agrees on pollution fine, cleanup for Columbia sewage system - The State http://t.co/ki2fkFdsGV


Table of Contents (14 articles)

LEARN CHEMISTRY WIKI IS LAUNCHED
Tags: laboratory, follow-up, environmental

NANOTECH SAFETY GETS MIXED REVIEW FROM NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
Tags: public, discovery, environmental, nanotech

NATIONAL LABS? SCIENCE IS STRONG BUT NEEDS CHANGES
Tags: laboratory, follow-up, environmental

MAN MAKING 'COLOURED FIRE' SPARKS HAZMAT EMERGENCY
Tags: Canada, public, release, response, fireworks

TWO INJURED IN CARIRI EXPLOSION
Tags: Trinidad_and_Tobago, laboratory, explosion, injury, petroleum

SAFETY OFFICIALS WARN AGAINST CHEMICAL-SUICIDE RESCUE ATTEMPTS
Tags: us_FL, public, release, environmental, suicide

CHEMICAL SPILL FORCES THREE HOUR EVACUATION ON OSHKOSH'S SOUTH SIDE (STORY, VIDEO, PHOTOS)
Tags: us_WI, industrial, release, response, corrosives, hydrochloric_acid

DAMMAM FIRE RAISES POLLUTION FEARS
Tags: Saudi_Arabia, industrial, fire, response, ag_chems, flammables

CHEMICAL SPILL CAUSES STUDENTS TO EVACUATE HIGH SCHOOL
Tags: us_TX, education, release, injury, formaldehyde

HAZMAT TEAM AT OWOSSO HOSPITAL AFTER MAN INGESTS SUBSTANCE
Tags: us_MI, public, release, injury, cyanide

HAZMAT CREWS CONTINUE TO WORK ON LEAK IN NORFOLK
Tags: us_VA, transportation, release, response, corrosives

TULSA FIRE DEPARTMENT HAZMAT ON SCENE AT CHEMICAL FACILITY
Tags: us_OK, industrial, fire, response, metals, waste

UPDATE: AMMONIA LEAK STOPPED IN HARRINGTON
Tags: us_WA, transportation, release, injury, ammonia

SCIENTISTS CREATE NEW HYDROGEN FUEL SAFETY APP
Tags: us_WA, education, discovery, environmental, hydrogen


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LEARN CHEMISTRY WIKI IS LAUNCHED
http://www.chemspider.com/blog/learn-chemistry-wiki-is-launched.html#.UjbJvZpmEuc.twitter
Tags: laboratory, follow-up, environmental

The Learn Chemistry Wiki contains over 2000 ?substance? pages which correspond to simple compounds that would commonly be encountered during the last years of school and first years of University. Each of these pages corresponds to a ChemSpider compound, from which it dynamically retrieves compound images, a summary of its properties(molecular formula, mass, IUPAC name, appearance, melting and boiling points, solubility, etc.) and links to view safety sheets and spectra. It also contains text from Wikipedia to display in the substance page based on the Wikipedia links in ChemSpider.

The Learn Chemistry Wiki also goes a step further and not only contains compound information in isolation but also contains laboratory experiments (with parallel sections which contain an overview, teachers? notes and students? handouts) for each, quizzes, and tutorials which are linked to the compound information to put them into context. The wiki is based on the MediaWiki platform (which allows multiple users to contribute collaboratively since the website is intended to be a community website), but extends it to incorporate functionality similar to that of ChemSpider, invoked via custom-made extensions. For example, it is possible to draw structures using GGA?s Ketcher in order to find structures, or to draw answers to quiz questions (for example to specify the product of a particular reaction). It is also possible to include an interactive spectrum retrieved from ChemSpider in any wiki page, using the ChemDoodle spectrum viewing widget in browsers which support canvases !
or JSpecView applet in those that don?t.

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NANOTECH SAFETY GETS MIXED REVIEW FROM NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
http://cen.acs.org/articles/91/i37/Nanotech-Safety-Mixed-Review.html
Tags: public, discovery, environmental, nanotech

Little has been done across the federal government to integrate research on understanding the potential environmental, health, and safety (EHS) risks of nanotechnology, concludes a report from the National Research Council. The report calls for oversight of nanotechnology EHS research by a single agency at the federal level, with ?sustained funding for this research and for the infrastructure needed to support data sharing.? The market for nanotechnology-enabled products is expected to surpass $3 trillion by 2015. Nanotech-based products on the market today include cosmetics, medical treatments, and electronics, but the uses of nanomaterials are changing rapidly, the report notes. ?EHS research efforts are not keeping pace with the evolving applications of nanotechnology,? says Jonathan M. Samet, chair of the committee that wrote the report. The report highlights advances in characterizing nanomaterials but cautions that the potential effects of nanomaterials on human health!
and the environment are not fully understood, particularly with regard to future risk.

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NATIONAL LABS? SCIENCE IS STRONG BUT NEEDS CHANGES
http://cen.acs.org/articles/91/i37/National-LabsScience-Strong-Needs-Changes.html
Tags: laboratory, follow-up, environmental

The state of science at the Department of Energy?s three national security laboratories is strong, but that could change if several barriers to research are not addressed, according to a new report from the National Research Council (NRC). The primary mission of Los Alamos, Lawrence Livermore, and Sandia National Laboratories is ensuring the future of the nation?s nuclear weapons stockpile without engaging in nuclear testing. The report says the labs are in a good position to achieve this. But the report, which Congress requested, recommends several changes that could improve weapons science at the lab. The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), which directly oversees the labs, should better weigh the risks against the rewards of experiments that involve hazardous materials or safety concerns, it says. Also, the labs should spend more money on smaller experimental facilities, not just on multi-million-dollar research centers, it continues. In addition, the labs ne!
ed to place more emphasis on and personnel in nuclear weapons modeling, primarily to make this field more predictive. A companion NRC report on lab management released last year criticized NNSA?s oversight of the three labs.

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MAN MAKING 'COLOURED FIRE' SPARKS HAZMAT EMERGENCY
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/man-making-coloured-fire-sparks-hazmat-emergency-1.1404997
Tags: Canada, public, release, response, fireworks

Saskatoon emergency services responded to an east-side home this morning after the resident took three bottles of what he said were potentially explosive chemicals into the back alley, but the fire department said it turned out the liquid was only water.

David Jones told CBC that he is working on a biochemistry degree and has a variety of chemicals stored in his basement at 409 Cumberland Ave. S. He had been moving a batch of chemicals he'd mixed last year to make a substance called "coloured fire," which creates a pyrotechnic effect when ignited. It's commonly used in backyard torches and glow bracelets.

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TWO INJURED IN CARIRI EXPLOSION
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Two-injured-in--Cariri-explosion-223706221.html
Tags: Trinidad_and_Tobago, laboratory, explosion, injury, petroleum

A ?routine? test of crude oil gone awry led to an explosion yesterday at the Cariri laboratory adjoining the University of the West Indies, St Augustine campus, injuring two technicians.
The Caribbean Industrial Research Unit (Cariri) was conducting a monthly test on a crude oil sample from BP Trinidad at the petroleum lab, around 11 a.m. yesterday, when the sample is said to have caught fire and exploded.
One younger technician suffered burns to the face and chest, while the other, a woman technician with more than 20 years? experience at Cariri, received minor burns about the body.
The female technician was discharged in a satisfactory condition yesterday afternoon from the Burns Unit of Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC), but the younger technician was moved to a private facility for observation over the weekend.

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SAFETY OFFICIALS WARN AGAINST CHEMICAL-SUICIDE RESCUE ATTEMPTS
http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-09-13/news/fl-chemical-assisted-suicide-warning-20130912_1_chemical-suicide-car-windows-suicide-method
Tags: us_FL, public, release, environmental, suicide

A method of suicide involving mixing household chemicals while inside of a car is prompting local hospital and rescue officials to warn the public about the dangers it poses to potential Good Samaritans and bystanders.

Police and fire officials throughout Broward County recently received a bulletin about the method, known as "chemical suicide," after a Fort Lauderdale man killed himself in his car on Aug. 30. The man, who the Sun Sentinel is not identifying, placed notes on his car windows that read "poison gas 911."

Still, two Good Samaritans opened the car door to help and were sent to the hospital after they were overcome by fumes. A member of the Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Hazardous Material Unit also needed medical attention.

All three were treated and released.

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CHEMICAL SPILL FORCES THREE HOUR EVACUATION ON OSHKOSH'S SOUTH SIDE (STORY, VIDEO, PHOTOS)
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20130913/OSH0101/309130302/Chemical-spill-forcing-evacuations-Oshkosh-s-south-side?nclick_check=1
Tags: us_WI, industrial, release, response, corrosives, hydrochloric_acid

A chemical spill at Hydrite Chemical forced the precautionary evacuation of thousands on the city?s far south side for nearly three hours Friday afternoon.

Oshkosh Fire Department crews worked with company to stop the spill of 1,000 gallons of muriatic acid after a storage tank cracked. The spill was cleaned by 4 p.m., prompting authorities to life the evacuation order. Muriatic acid is highly corrosive and can damage respiratory organs, eyes, skin, and intestines.

Oshkosh Corp. evacuated its headquarters and multiple manufacturing plants in response to the spill. Spokesman John Daggett said the company also canceled its second shift Friday as a precaution.

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DAMMAM FIRE RAISES POLLUTION FEARS
http://www.arabnews.com/news/464449
Tags: Saudi_Arabia, industrial, fire, response, ag_chems, flammables

Heavy smoke and the acrid smell of chemicals still lingers over Dammam's industrial city from a huge fire that broke out Sunday at an ARASCO factory containing 23,000 tons of animal fodder.
ARASCO is a Saudi company that produces and markets food and agricultural products and services. The factory where the fire started manufactures fodder combined with chemical substances that are highly flammable.
Ammar Al-Magrbi, spokesman for the Civil Defense in the Eastern Province, told Arab News that the fire has been brought under control, but that it would take a few more days to remove smoldering fodder. "We are working to clear the substance out of the area to reduce smoke."
?The overall effects are restricted to the location of the accident, so all the working teams are wearing masks to avoid poisoning and suffocation. It is a blessing that the warehouses are a distance away from populated areas,? he said.

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CHEMICAL SPILL CAUSES STUDENTS TO EVACUATE HIGH SCHOOL
http://www.valleycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id"6338#.UjRlYNKa6UI
Tags: us_TX, education, release, injury, formaldehyde

A chemical spill in a science class caused Donna High School to evacuate students.

Officials said 26 people were transported to Knapp Medical hospital for observation, including a teacher and a security guard.

According to the Donna superintendent, a teacher knocked over a jar that held a dead specimen with formaldehyde.

Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable, strong-smelled chemical that?s used to produce many household items, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

When exposed to the chemical, it can cause watery eyes, burning sensations in eyes and throat, nausea and difficulty breathing.

According to EPA, it is known to cause cancer.

No students were in the classroom at the time.

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

HAZMAT TEAM AT OWOSSO HOSPITAL AFTER MAN INGESTS SUBSTANCE
http://www.minbcnews.com/news/story.aspx?id"6374#.UjRkHtKa6UI
Tags: us_MI, public, release, injury, cyanide

The Owosso Memorial Hospital ER is back open to all emergency ambulance traffice and foot traffic and the HAZMAT situation has ended.

Hospital officials have told NBC25 that field tests have come back positive for potassium cyanide.

According to the Center for Disease Control, potassium cyanide is used in electroplating, and certain forms of fumigation among other uses.

?We took every appropriate and valid precaution, and sought the advice of expert agencies as we monitored any potential risk,? says Bob Long, CEO of Memorial Healthcare.

?Our primary reason for diverting ambulance traffic was to allow our staff, and those agency personnel, to focus on ensuring that a safe environment was maintained.?

At this time officials say there has been no exposure to any individuals.

A criminal investigation of the individual is ongoing.

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HAZMAT CREWS CONTINUE TO WORK ON LEAK IN NORFOLK
http://hamptonroads.com/2013/09/hazmat-crews-continue-work-leak-norfolk
Tags: us_VA, transportation, release, response, corrosives

A hazmat situation is underway at the corner of Hampton Blvd. and Baker Street, causing the evacuation of two businesses.

Norfolk Fire-Rescue responded around 1 p.m. today after a tractor-trailer carrying corrosive materials began to leak, according to Battalion Chief Julian Williamson.

The leak has been contained using sand, but Oro Azteca Mexican Restaurant and 7-Eleven have been evacuated as a precaution, Williamson said.

The vehicle is on the side of the road and isn't posing a threat to anyone right now, said Williamson. Williamson estimated that anywhere from 5 to 15 gallons of corrosive material has leaked as of 2 p.m.

Navy Regional Fire is assisting with the cleanup, according to Williamson. He added that there have been no injuries..

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

TULSA FIRE DEPARTMENT HAZMAT ON SCENE AT CHEMICAL FACILITY
http://www.fox23.com/news/local/story/Tulsa-Fire-Department-HazMat-on-scene-at-chemical/YCWk60eY1EyUtQGZHRK44w.cspx
Tags: us_OK, industrial, fire, response, metals, waste

The Tulsa Fire Department HazMat crew is on the scene of a small fire in west Tulsa.

TFD officials said there was a small fire in the 2700 block of S. 25th West Ave. at a business that renders hazardous chemicals safe.

There was a small fire reaction out of some of the dry chemicals. TFD said the facility is in a remote area, there are a few houses nearby and they will check air quality.
....
The company released this statement: At approximately 7 a.m., plant personnel at EQ Oklahoma observed steam from a reaction taking place in an open-topped treatment box. After determining that the reaction was not abating, plant management called for fire emergency response at 9:35 a.m. and instructed the office and some plant personnel to assemble outside the main gate. By approximately 9:50 a.m., the Tulsa and Berryhill Fire Departments were onsite and the reaction had been brought under control. The company was treating metal-bearing wastes at the time of the reaction and is working with authorities to determine the cause.

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

UPDATE: AMMONIA LEAK STOPPED IN HARRINGTON
http://www.khq.com/story/23428492/amonia
Tags: us_WA, transportation, release, injury, ammonia

UPDATE: Officials say the ammonia leak has been stopped and Highway 23 and 28 are now open. Students in Harrington have been released.

The Lincoln Hospital says they treated 4 adults for chemical exposure and 1 was sent to Spokane. There were no fatalities and all 4 were decontaminated.

Troopers with the Washington State Patrol say about 20,000 gallons of aqua ammonia spilled from a tanker car on a train. A clean up crew is heading to the scene. The Department of Ecology has been advised.

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

SCIENTISTS CREATE NEW HYDROGEN FUEL SAFETY APP
http://www.pnnl.gov/news/release.aspx?id=1007
Tags: us_WA, education, discovery, environmental, hydrogen

RICHLAND, Wash. ? Engineers and scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have developed an app that focuses on hydrogen safety.

The Hydrogen Tools app, created with the support of DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, comes at a time when the use of fuel cells is growing. Fuel cells generate electricity by driving electrochemical reactions using hydrogen and air, producing power with dramatically reduced emissions compared to traditional hydrocarbon-based fuels. The only byproducts are heat and water.

Nick Barilo, the PNNL project manager who led the team, said fuel cells are becoming more common in a variety of applications ? as back-up energy sources in buildings, in vehicles, and in warehouses, where they are often used to power forklifts.

"In addition to being a clean energy option, fuel cells can offer some real advantages in certain applications," said Barilo. "Last year during Hurricane Sandy, for instance, cell phone towers that relied on a fuel cell as a backup energy source continued to work throughout the storm, with just a few exceptions, even in areas where cell towers relying on other power sources were rendered inoperable.

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