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: Fri, 8 Jan 2016 07:26:56 -0500
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
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Chemical Safety Headlines From Google
Friday, January 8, 2016 at 7:26:32 AM

A membership benefit of the ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety
All article summaries and tags are archived at https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__pinboard.in_u-3Adchas&d=BQIFaQ&c=lb62iw4YL4RFalcE2hQUQealT9-RXrryqt9KZX2qu2s&r=meWM1Buqv4IQ27AlK1OJRjcQl09S1Zta6YXKalY_Io0&m=MqIIgH8qiTnBvkIs8qEhA9yEbAK3ZNyj1kaei-9CW_E&s?MLOzb1-aLChSsKMuM6ZEgssGWc40avAjivnshJl5o&e=

Table of Contents (15 articles)

STUDENTS LEARN HAZMAT BASICS
Tags: us_KY, industrial, discovery, environmental

7NEWS MIAMI FT. LAUDERDALE NEWS, WEATHER, DECO
Tags: us_FL, public, release, response, natural_gas

PLANT WORKER SPRAYED WITH ACID IN DETROIT
Tags: us_MI, industrial, release, injury, acids

CHEMICAL SPILL EVACUATES DOVER MEDICAL CENTER
Tags: us_NH, public, release, response, unknown_chemical

PLAINSBORO: SMALL FIRE FLAMES OUT AT PLASMA PHYSICS LAB
Tags: us_NJ, laboratory, fire, response

CANCER-CAUSING CHEMICAL COMPOUND FOUND IN WASHINGTON COUNTY...
Tags: us_PA, public, release, environmental, chlorine

CHEMICAL SPILL CAUSES TWO HOUR EVACUATION OF TWO CAMPUS BUILDINGS
Tags: us_AR, laboratory, release, response, unknown_chemical, other_chemical

4 SERIOUSLY INJURED IN CHEMICAL EXPLOSION AT DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY'S NORTH ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS, LOCATION
Tags: us_MA, laboratory, explosion, injury, unknown_chemical

RESPONSE TO CHEMICAL COLLECTION INCLUDING MERCURY
Tags: us_CA, transportation, discovery, response, drugs, mercury

AFTER SEVERE CHEMICAL BURNS, NASHVILLE WOMAN FINDS HOPE THROUGH LASER TREATMENT
Tags: us_TN, public, discovery, injury, unknown_chemical, other_chemical

NAVI MUMBAI DISTILLATION LAB GUTTED IN FIRE
Tags: India, laboratory, fire, response, unknown_chemical

PANCHKULA RESIDENTS BAFFLED AS ASH FALLS FROM SKY
Tags: India, laboratory, fire, response, unknown_chemical

FOAM USED TO EXTINGUISH OIL FIRE AT DUNKIRK METALS PLANT
Tags: us_NY, industrial, fire, response, grease

CONNECTICUT DENTIST"S OFFICE EVACUATED AFTER CHEMICAL SPILL
Tags: us_CT, public, release, injury, other_chemical

BACKSTAGE CHEMICAL LEAK AT DISNEYLAND PROMPTS CLOSURE OF FOUR ATTRACTIONS
Tags: us_CA, public, release, response, cleaners


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STUDENTS LEARN HAZMAT BASICS
Tags: us_KY, industrial, discovery, environmental

ASHLAND"Seeing how first responders handle hazardous material incidents can be helpful to health care workers, even if their jobs keep them behind the walls of a hospital.
That was the assessment of teachers, students and emergency workers alike Thursday when Ashland firefighters brought their hazmat equipment and protective garb to Paul G. Blazer High School.
The firefighters demonstrated to students in the health science and pre-nursing classes how they detect, identify and clean up spills.
The students will take the new-found knowledge with them in their future professions, whether or not they are on the front lines of decontamination work.
That is important because when firefighters deal with hazmat decontamination, they work firsthand with hospitals, Ashland Fire Capt. Carl Stambaugh said.
In a heavily industrial area, such materials are common, both in the factory and on public highways. "We work with hospitals to set up plans for decontamination,""Stambaugh said.
Among gear firefighters set up was an electronic analyzer that quickly identifies samples, giving emergency workers a head start on assessing the seriousness and danger of a spill or discharge.

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

7NEWS MIAMI FT. LAUDERDALE NEWS, WEATHER, DECO
Tags: us_FL, public, release, response, natural_gas

OAKLAND PARK, Fla. (WSVN) -- HazMat teams were able to cap a gas leak in Oakland Park, Thursday.

The gas leak occurred in the area of Northeast 15th Avenue and 42nd Street, shutting down traffic in the area.

The gas line is said to have ruptured during ongoing construction in the area.

The leak, coming from a four-inch, high pressure, natural gas line, forced several residences and businesses nearby to be evacuated. "An officer, she told me, I needed to evacuate immediately, which is pretty frightening," said resident Kelly Eppy. "I just grabbed the baby and ran out of the house, I didn't even have a chance to grab my shoes."

Firefighters have since fixed the leak, and city officials have since said that it is safe for residents to return to their homes.

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

PLANT WORKER SPRAYED WITH ACID IN DETROIT
Tags: us_MI, industrial, release, injury, acids

Detroit " A plant worker was sprayed with acid Thursday morning, bringing a HAZMAT crew to the area near Seven Mile and Mount Elliot, according to the fire department.

"We have personnel on the scene but there"s no danger to the public," Executive Fire Commissioner Eric Jones said. "(The employee) was transported to the hospital."

The injured man was stabilized and expected to be released from Detroit Receiving Hospital early Thursday afternoon, Jones said.

Jones said the HAZMAT crew responded around 10:40 a.m. "to take precautionary measures" and to help with cleanup at the site.

It is unclear what type of work is performed at the plant, he said.

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

CHEMICAL SPILL EVACUATES DOVER MEDICAL CENTER
Tags: us_NH, public, release, response, unknown_chemical

DOVER " A minor chemical spill evacuated a medical services building on Thursday afternoon.
The Dover Fire Department responded to the call at about 3 p.m. Fire Chief Eric Hagman said a chemical spilled or leaked in a back room of Fresenius Medical Care at 343 Sixth St. Firefighters assessed the risk, determined the spill did not warrant a call to a HazMat team. At around 4 p.m., Dover Fire was preparing to turn the building over to its maintenance staff.
No injuries were reported. Chief Hagman said there was no indication any chemicals leaked from the area of the spill to patient areas.
About 12 people were in the building at the time of the spill, according to the facilities manager and registered nurse Ajoulyn Chaffee. The business is usually open until 4 p.m. on weekdays.

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

PLAINSBORO: SMALL FIRE FLAMES OUT AT PLASMA PHYSICS LAB
Tags: us_NJ, laboratory, fire, response

PLAINSBORO " A small fire, caused by an electrical ground fault inside a metal cabinet, was contained to that cabinet in a building at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory on Stellarator Drive shortly before 10 a.m. Jan. 5.

An engineering technician noticed a small flame inside the metal cabinet, which is in a separate building from the main laboratory building where experiments take place, said Larry Bernard, the communications director for the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory.

The technician cut off the power to the metal cabinet and the building was evacuated, Mr. Bernard said. The flame burned itself out, and the damage was confined to the cabinet, he said. There were no reported injuries.

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

CANCER-CAUSING CHEMICAL COMPOUND FOUND IN WASHINGTON COUNTY...
Tags: us_PA, public, release, environmental, chlorine

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Pa. " A letter went out to all Charleroi Water Authority customers Wednesday, warning users that a chemical compound linked to higher cancer rates had been found in the local water supply.
Officials said about 2,000 people are affected by the issue, but the notice, by law, had to go out to all Charleroi Water Authority customers.

Some of the words in the notice, particularly "cancer-causing" prompted some to go out to buy bottled water.
"I think they need to release more health-wise. Is it safe to shower? What are the health effects of drinking it?" resident Christina Boyer said.
....
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection said the elevated levels of Trihalomethanes, which are created when decaying organic material comes into contact with chlorine, were detected in Upper Speers and Twilight.
"We are doing our best. We"ve done major renovations here, a state-of-the-art facility here, and we take pride in water produced," Charleroi Water Authority General Manager Ed Golanka said.
Golanka said the language used in the letter is mandated by the government, and he believes it sounds scarier than what us really is.
"I don't personally see it as a major problem, but I defer to healthcare. Personally I would (drink the water)," Golanka said.
The DEP said the situation is not unusual, especially during the fall months when leaves collect in rivers. DEP officials said the water is still drinkable, but residents should check with their doctor if they have any specific health concerns.

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

CHEMICAL SPILL CAUSES TWO HOUR EVACUATION OF TWO CAMPUS BUILDINGS
Tags: us_AR, laboratory, release, response, unknown_chemical, other_chemical

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. " Two shelves of a cabinet in a chemical storage room of the Agriculture Building collapsed shortly after 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6, dumping several glass bottles filled with chemicals on the floor, where they broke, spilling the chemicals.

One researcher was in room 120 at the time of the spill, but was uninjured.

University of Arkansas police evacuated faculty and staff from the Agriculture Building and the Plant Sciences Building next to it. There were no classes being held in either building.

The Fayetteville Fire Department Hazardous Materials unit was called to investigate and worked with U of A Emergency Management and Environmental Health and Safety staff to find out what chemicals had spilled. It was determined that the spill was contained and posed no health risk, but that the chemicals needed cleaned up quickly to prevent possible reactions.

Environmental Health and Safety staff worked with Professor Bill Durham of the chemistry and biochemistry department to carefully and quickly move the chemicals. The chemicals were placed in containers and moved to a hazmat storage area.

Fans were placed in the Agriculture Building to air it out, and faculty and staff were allowed to return to the two buildings at about noon.

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

4 SERIOUSLY INJURED IN CHEMICAL EXPLOSION AT DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY'S NORTH ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS, LOCATION
Tags: us_MA, laboratory, explosion, injury, unknown_chemical

At least four people were seriously injured in a chemical explosion at Dow Chemical Company's North Andover, Massachusetts, plant on Thursday afternoon, according to authorities
First responders were stll at the scene on Willow Street hours after the explosion was first reported.
State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan said that the investigation will begin once the scene is cleared by hazmat crews, and that it appears a chemical reacting to water - trimethylaluminum - caused the explosion.
Lawrence General Hospital spokesperson said earlier that four patients suffered critical injuries due to shrapnel and burns from the blast. Three of those patients are now stabilized and were transferred to other Boston area hospitals.
A fifth person was not seriously injured and refused treatment.
North Andover Town Manager Andrew Maylor said it doesn't look like there's an ongoing problem at the site.
A Dow spokesperson said that the families of the injured workers have been notified, and that there are no imminent risks to the surrounding community at this time.

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

RESPONSE TO CHEMICAL COLLECTION INCLUDING MERCURY
Tags: us_CA, transportation, discovery, response, drugs, mercury

A local man looked in the back of his trailer while in the Raley"s north parking lot Monday morning and discovered old pharmaceuticals and a bottle of mercury.

Knowing that mercury is highly toxic, he called 9-1-1 and the Cosumnes Fire Department Hazmat team closed the north part of the parking lot while they determined the danger to the community.

Art Oelsner had recently parted ways from his family"s business, Cresco Restaurant Supply, where he was president and had worked for 35 years. According to Oelsner, his sister and brother-in-law delivered his belongings to his house and among his belongings were remnants of old pharmaceuticals.

Oelsner said a company representative put the boxes in his trailer and Oelsner had no idea what was in them until he happened to look while in the Raley"s parking lot Monday.

While digging through a box, Oelsner pulled out a squeeze bottle.

"It was sealed and extremely heavy and the label said mercury," said Oelsner. "I got nervous and didn"t want to flail around with the stuff so I called 9-1-1."

The Hazmat team proceeded to go through more than 120 bottles of pharmaceuticals, including caustic ones containing arsenic. Oelsner"s father had been a pharmacist years ago and apparently had been storing his old product in the warehouse all these years.

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

AFTER SEVERE CHEMICAL BURNS, NASHVILLE WOMAN FINDS HOPE THROUGH LASER TREATMENT
Tags: us_TN, public, discovery, injury, unknown_chemical, other_chemical

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) " A slip on a household product left a Nashville woman severely burned.

Rachael McKenzie suffered third-degree chemical burns, but now she is gaining her life back.

"I didn"t feel like myself. I didn"t recognize myself. It was a very hard time. I was very sad," McKenzie told News 2.

She was a sophomore in college in 2009 when she attended a Halloween party.

"At the house that we were at, for whatever reason, there was a bottle of floor stripper that somebody had knocked over and spilled," she explained.

McKenzie said she slipped on the chemical but didn"t think much of it.

"I thought it was water, it was odorless and so I slipped and fell on my back," she explained.

But about a half hour later, she felt her back begin to burn. "It was incredibly painful."


That"s when McKenzie realized that the floor stripping chemicals were eating at her skin.

"It was completely black; it looked charred," she said.

McKenzie told News 2 she suffered third degree chemical burns and was hospitalized for weeks. She was left with physical scars that she had to constantly cover up, so she decided to seek help.

"The psychological effects of scarring, especially scarring that changes the way you feel other people would perceive you, are really profound," Dr. Brian Biesman said.

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

NAVI MUMBAI DISTILLATION LAB GUTTED IN FIRE
Tags: India, laboratory, fire, response, unknown_chemical

A distillation unit in adjoining Navi Mumbai was gutted in fire which broke out in the wee hours today.

No one was injured in the fire.

The blaze started at around 4.50 AM in Welcome Laboratory at Khairane MIDC area in Navi Mumbai, fire officials said.

As many as 13 fire tenders were pressed into service and they took over three hours to douse the flames, the officials said.

"We successfully stopped the fire from spreading to adjacent buildings, which house laboratories of other companies," an officer said.

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

PANCHKULA RESIDENTS BAFFLED AS ASH FALLS FROM SKY
Tags: India, laboratory, fire, response, unknown_chemical

Residents of Panchkula were left perplexed Wednesday after ash started falling over buildings, vehicles and open spaces in the afternoon. The incident was the result of a fire that broke out on the premises of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) at Ramgarh, over 15 km from Panchkula.
The fire broke out around 11 am in the forested area on the premises of the TBRL, which is spread over 5,500 acres and serves as a ground for testing ballistics. The fire department took over five hours to douse the flames. Two of TBRL "s fire tenders and two more from the Fire Station, Panchkula, carried out the firefighting operation.
Ash was seen on roads and buildings in various residential sectors, including the corridors of the District Court Complex, and Mini-Secretariat, Sector 1, with residents of Ramgarh being the most affected. As a thin blanket of smoke enveloped the town, it sparked a series of rumours on social networking sites, with people advising each other to be cautious while going out.
"We received a call from TBRL around 1 pm, and two fire tenders were dispatched, one from Panchkula and another from Barwala. It was a massive fire," said Fire Officer Ram Dutt Bhardwaj.
The district forest department officials said that the fire was not in the forests, but in dry tall grass, Saccliarum mimja (kanna), which covers a large part of the TBRL premises. "The grass, when burnt, shoots off ashes in air to large distances. We received calls from residents inquiring about it," said Sunil Sharma, Forest Range Officer.
TBRL officials said that there was no damage to life and property. "It was a routine incident, as fire of such kind is often reported here, because it is a firing range, and we keep testing ballistics here. We have trained manpower to control such accidents," a senior TBRL official told Newsline.

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

FOAM USED TO EXTINGUISH OIL FIRE AT DUNKIRK METALS PLANT
Tags: us_NY, industrial, fire, response, grease

DUNKIRK " Firemen spent an hour and a half Wednesday morning fighting an oil fire in a Dunkirk metals plant, City of Dunkirk Fire Chief Michael Edwards said.

The fire was reported at 10:43 a.m. at the Special Metals plant, 100 Willowbrook Ave.

Firefighters who arrived at the scene were told about an oil and grease fire in a mechanical area.

"Fire Department crews applied several dry chemical fire extinguishers to attempt extinguishment," Edwards said. "Access to the fire area was difficult and the fire was finally contained with the use of foam. It took approximately 1å1Ú2 hours to control the fire."

No injuries were reported.

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

CONNECTICUT DENTIST"S OFFICE EVACUATED AFTER CHEMICAL SPILL
Tags: us_CT, public, release, injury, other_chemical

TRUMBULL >> Officials say 15 people were evacuated and six were hospitalized after a hazardous chemical spill occurred at a dental practice in Trumbull.

Deputy Fire Chief Alex Rauso Jr. says members of the Long Hill Fire Department and EMTs responded to a "small chemical spill" at Vaughn Family Dentistry around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Rauso says the spilling of about 1 ounce of Formocresol, a disinfectant solution, caused a strong odor inside the Corporate Drive office.

Firefighters consulted with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the Fairfield County Hazardous Incident Response Team before handling the spill.

The six victims were taken to St. Vincent"s Medical Center in Bridgeport as a precaution.

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

BACKSTAGE CHEMICAL LEAK AT DISNEYLAND PROMPTS CLOSURE OF FOUR ATTRACTIONS
Tags: us_CA, public, release, response, cleaners

Four attractions at Disneyland were briefly closed Wednesday after a small chemical leak was discovered coming from the park"s water filtration system, authorities said.

Anaheim police and fire departments responded to the park at 1:30 p.m. where a chemical commonly found in pool cleaner was reported leaking from a pump at one of the park"s four backstage filtration facilities, said Sgt. Daron Wyatt of the Anaheim Police Department.

Park officials responded by closing Autopia, Star Wars Launch Bay, Disneyland Railroad and the Monorail as a precaution, said park spokeswoman Suzi Brown.

The leak was resolved by 3 p.m., and rides were operating again shortly afterward. No one was reported injured.

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