From: DCHAS Membership Chair <membership**At_Symbol_Here**DCHAS.ORG>
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Chemical Safety headlines (16 articles)
Date: Wed, 17 Apr 2019 07:16:17 -0400
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Message-ID: 15C3185E-4BD6-4798-A9C3-2289D8CF9AFC**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org


Chemical Safety Headlines From Google
Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at 7:15:58 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 (16 articles)

FARMER STOPS AMMONIA LEAK BEFORE HAZMAT ARRIVAL
Tags: us_IA, transportation, release, response, ammonia

UCLA LAB INCIDENT TRIGGERS LAFD HAZMAT RESPONSE
Tags: us_CA, laboratory, release, injury, unknown_chemical

URBANA FIRE OFFICIALS, IEPA WORK TO CONTAIN CHEMICAL SPILL
Tags: us_IL, public, release, response, petroleum

ERIE FIRE DEPARTMENT SPEAKS OUT ON CHEMICAL LEAK
Tags: us_PA, public, follow-up, environmental, liquid_nitrogen

SIX YEARS LATER: LEARNING FROM THE WEST FERTILIZER PLANT EXPLOSION
Tags: us_TX, industrial, follow-up, environmental

HUSKY ENERGY DISCUSSES REBUILD EFFORTS AT OPEN HOUSE, RESIDENTS VOICE CONCERNS
Tags: us_WI, industrial, follow-up, environmental, hydrofluoric_acid

WASTE MANAGERS WARN OF FIRE RISK WITH LITHIUM ION BATTERIES
Tags: us_NH, public, discovery, environmental, batteries, waste

POLICE DETAIN WOMAN ACCUSED OF SPRAYING NEIGHBOR WITH AMMONIA IN DEERFIELD BEACH
Tags: us_FL, public, release, injury, ammonia

EXPLOSION ROCKS PORT OF LOS ANGELES IN SAN PEDRO
Tags: us_CA, transportation, explosion, response, unknown_chemical

LIQUID NITROGEN LEAK CREATES HAZE, SHUTS DOWN PART OF W. 12 ST.
Tags: industrial, release, response, liquid_nitrogen

10 KILLED IN FIRE AT PHARMACEUTICAL PLANT IN CHINA
Tags: China, industrial, fire, death, pharmaceutical

BAIL SET FOR TWO MEN CHARGED AFTER EXPLOSION
Tags: public, follow-up, injury, explosives, illegal

GOV'T MOVES TO CUT CHEMICAL PLANT RISKS
Tags: China, industrial, explosion, environmental

NO INJURIES IN WAREHOUSE FIRE AT MILLIPORE SIGMA IN SHEBOYGAN COUNTY
Tags: us_WI, industrial, fire, response, unknown_chemical

THREE INDUSTRIAL WORKERS INJURED IN TAUNTON CHEMICAL EXPLOSION
Tags: us_MA, industrial, explosion, injury, hydrogen, arsine

17 MORE DETAINED OVER CHINA BLAST THAT KILLED 78
Tags: China, industrial, follow-up, death, unknown_chemical, illegal


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FARMER STOPS AMMONIA LEAK BEFORE HAZMAT ARRIVAL
http://www.messengernews.net/news/local-news/2019/04/farmer-stops-ammonia-leak-before-hazmat-arrival/
Tags: us_IA, transportation, release, response, ammonia

A farmer was able to stop an anhydrous ammonia leak before firefighters and the local hazardous materials team could arrive on scene.

Fort Dodge Fire Chief Steve Hergenreter said the leak was reported at Nelson Avenue and 170th Street a little after 4 p.m. Tuesday.

A farmer was pulling a 3,000-gallon anhydrous applicator and Hergenreter said a leak happened in the hose fitting between the applicator and the tractor.

The farmer noticed the leak.

‰??He was able to shut down one of the main valves and get it controlled for a majority of it,‰?? Hergenreter said.

There was just a small leak when the Fort Dodge Fire Department and Region V Hazardous Materials Response Team arrived.

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

UCLA LAB INCIDENT TRIGGERS LAFD HAZMAT RESPONSE
https://abc7.com/ucla-lab-incident-triggers-lafd-hazmat-response/5254910/
Tags: us_CA, laboratory, release, injury, unknown_chemical

WESTWOOD, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A hazmat team responded to UCLA on a report of a student being injured in a chemical reaction Tuesday night.

After assessing the scene, officials determined the student had only incurred minor lacerations and no chemicals had been spilled.

The incident occurred around 8 p.m. at a laboratory inside a four-story science building on the Westwood campus.

After the "chemical interaction" had been reported to authorities, the student walked outside to be evaluated by Los Angeles Fire Department crews.

She underwent a rinse procedure and then was taken to a local hospital as a precaution.

No other injuries were reported and there were no evacuations.

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

URBANA FIRE OFFICIALS, IEPA WORK TO CONTAIN CHEMICAL SPILL
https://foxillinois.com/news/local/urbana-fire-officials-iepa-work-to-contain-chemical-spill
Tags: us_IL, public, release, response, petroleum

URBANA, Ill. (WICS/WCCU) ‰?? Urbana fire officials were called to a hazardous material spill Monday, April 15 at the Boneyard Creek.

The incident occurred in the 200 block of South Gregory Street at 2:43 p.m. after what appeared to be a petroleum base sheen spilled into the creek.

Fire crews utilized absorbent booms across the Boneyard Creek to contain the spill.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) was also notified and called to the scene.

The IEPA arrived on site Tuesday morning and is still working with officials to manage the spill.

The original source of the spill was believed to be from contaminated water from a nearby construction site at 708 South Sixth Street in Champaign.

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

ERIE FIRE DEPARTMENT SPEAKS OUT ON CHEMICAL LEAK
https://www.erienewsnow.com/story/40319165/erie-fire-department-speaks-out-on-chemical-leak
Tags: us_PA, public, follow-up, environmental, liquid_nitrogen

After Monday night's chemical leak that shut down a section of West 12th Street, the City of Erie Fire Department is speaking out about how they respond to chemical spills.

Usually, the crew gathers as much information from the 911 Center as possible before getting to the scene. Then, they find a representative of the company responsible for the chemicals to learn what they're dealing with.

"We work hand in hand with them," Fire Chief Guy Santone said, "We do what we're trained, in they do what they're trained in, and we can rectify that situation almost 100% of the time."

However, emergency crews were unable to stop the chemical leak Monday night because they were unable to locate the turn-off valve for the leaking tank.

"The end result was we had to let it bleed out there was 8,500 pounds of liquid nitrogen that we had to let go out into the atmosphere," Santone said. When asked about the environmental effects the leak could have, he said it would be minimal to none.

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

SIX YEARS LATER: LEARNING FROM THE WEST FERTILIZER PLANT EXPLOSION
https://www.kxan.com/news/local/williamson-county/six-years-later-learning-from-the-deadly-west-fertilizer-plant-explosion/1926685698
Tags: us_TX, industrial, follow-up, environmental

WEST, Texas (KXAN) ‰?? Thirty minutes before sunrise on a chilly April morning, a bright yellow glow shines out of the windows of the red garage doors that line the front of fire station #2 in Georgetown. All is calm and quiet outside except for the birds singing up a storm.

They're not the only ones up and at 'em so early on a Monday. Several guys emerge from the garage and head to their cars. One crew is coming off a 24-hour shift as a fresh team of firefighters clock-in and start getting the trucks and ambulances ready for the unknown of what the day will bring.


Dylan Karl has a sticker commemorating those who died in the West explosion on his helmet (KXAN Photo/Erin Cargile)
Dylan Karl, 26, hangs his yellow fire suit up in his locker and sets his black helmet on top. You can see a white sticker on the side of it with black letters that read "For those that perished." Above the four words is the West Fire Department badge covered by a black strip that bears the date 4-17-13. That's the day 15 people were killed in an explosion in the small town north of Waco. Eleven of them were West volunteer firefighters.
The Georgetown firefighter and paramedic remembers pieces of that horrific day like it was yesterday. It was the biggest call of his life ‰?? one most first responders will never experience over a lifelong career. The second generation firefighter was ready.

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

HUSKY ENERGY DISCUSSES REBUILD EFFORTS AT OPEN HOUSE, RESIDENTS VOICE CONCERNS
https://www.wdio.com/news/husky-rebuild-open-house-/5319625/
Tags: us_WI, industrial, follow-up, environmental, hydrofluoric_acid

Next Friday will mark a year since fires and an explosion tore through Superior's Husky Refinery. Tuesday night, Twin Ports residents had the chance to learn more about how the company plans to move forward, and also voiced lingering concerns.

Jo Haberman, recalled the incident a year ago.

"Part of my neighborhood, which is Park Point was evacuated. It was close to my apartment and too close for comfort so my granddaughter and I evacuated Duluth and Superior," said Haberman. "She was so terrified, and I was also terrified."


WDIO-TV
She says lingering concerns for safety brought them out to Husky's open house, as the company presented their rebuilding plans.

"It's absolutely clear to me that Husky needs to replace Hydrogen Fluoride. They can afford to replace it. It's a public safety issue," said Haberman.

"I'm concerned about the water. I'm concerned about our proximity," said Christina Schleicher, a Twin Ports resident. " If something where to happen what is in place for that."

Monday night, Husky's General Manager said they stand by their decision to continue using the chemical.

"When you look at the gasoline as a product that the refinery really likes to provide for Superior itself, the HF alkylation unit is a vital component of that motor gasoline, so right now we are intending to maintain that operation," said Kollin Schade.

However, he says there will be additional safety measures. Informational booths were set up for that and other improvements they are making.

"We're a learning refinery. We know there are things we can improve on both safety and environmental, and we're going to support those during the rebuild process," Schade added.

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

WASTE MANAGERS WARN OF FIRE RISK WITH LITHIUM ION BATTERIES
https://www.nhpr.org/post/waste-managers-warn-fire-risk-lithium-ion-batteries
Tags: us_NH, public, discovery, environmental, batteries, waste

Lithium-ion batteries are a growing fire hazard at landfills and transfer stations across the region.

The batteries can spark under pressure and heat.

Waste managers are urging residents to properly dispose of electronics at designated recycling centers or hazardous waste collection sites.

The Lebanon landfill, which serves communities across the Upper Valley, has seen seven fires in the past ten months, said Marc Morgan, the facility‰??s solid waste manager.

The weight of machinery driving over a cell phone or tablet, embedded in a pile of garbage, is enough to cause a small explosion, he said.

The Northeast Resource Recovery Association, a non-profit focused on recycling and waste reduction, is running workshops this spring on proper battery handling. The next N.H. workshop will be May 2 in Plymouth.

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

POLICE DETAIN WOMAN ACCUSED OF SPRAYING NEIGHBOR WITH AMMONIA IN DEERFIELD BEACH
https://wsvn.com/news/local/police-detain-woman-accused-of-spraying-neighbor-with-ammonia-in-deerfield-beach/
Tags: us_FL, public, release, injury, ammonia

DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Deputies have detained a woman who allegedly sprayed her Deerfield Beach neighbor with ammonia, which prompted rescue crews to transport the victim and a responding deputy to the hospital.

Broward Sheriff‰??s Office deputies responded to the scene located near Powerline Road and Northwest Sixth Street, at around 10:30 a.m., Monday.

The neighbor who was sprayed was transported to the hospital in unknown condition.

One deputy that responded to the scene was transported as well due to the strong smell.

7Skyforce HD flew over the scene where the restrained woman could be seen writhing on the grass with some kind of bag over her head.

Hazmat crews responded to the scene as a precaution.

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

EXPLOSION ROCKS PORT OF LOS ANGELES IN SAN PEDRO
http://www.foxla.com/news/local-news/explosion-reported-at-port-of-los-angeles-in-san-pedro
Tags: us_CA, transportation, explosion, response, unknown_chemical

SAN PEDRO, Calif. (FOX 11) - A semi-trailer truck hauling a shipping container exploded in San Pedro Monday morning. Despite some damage to a nearby building, authorities said no one was hurt.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the Port of Los Angeles near the 600 block of Harbor Boulevard just before 10 a.m.

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

LIQUID NITROGEN LEAK CREATES HAZE, SHUTS DOWN PART OF W. 12 ST.
https://www.erienewsnow.com/story/40311652/liquid-nitrogen-leak-creates-haze-shuts-down-part-of-w-12-st
Tags: industrial, release, response, liquid_nitrogen

A haze shut down part of W. 12 St. in the City of Erie Monday night.

Emergency crews were called just after 8 p.m. and learned a liquid nitrogen tank ruptured in Modern Industries.

They shut down 12th St. from Cherry to Liberty St. because the haze is causing visibility problems for drivers.

HAZMAT is on standby right now while crew members work to stop the leak, according to Jeff Carroll, deputy chief for the Erie Fire Department.

A tanker truck may need to be called to the scene if the leak cannot be stopped, Carroll told Erie News Now.

Depending on how long it takes to stop the leak, it could be a while before road is reopened, Carroll said.

In the meantime, he said the gas is not harmful or poisonous to the body and does not pose a fire risk.

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

10 KILLED IN FIRE AT PHARMACEUTICAL PLANT IN CHINA
https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/10-killed-in-fire-at-pharmaceutical-plant-in-china-119041500904_1.html
Tags: China, industrial, fire, death, pharmaceutical

A fire tore through a pharmaceutical company in China's Shandong province on Monday, suffocating to death at least 10 persons and injuring 12 others, the fourth major industrial accident in the country since last month.

The incident occurred Monday afternoon in the basement of Qilu Tianhe Pharmaceutical when welding sparks ignited a heat-transferring substance, generating smoke, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Eight persons who were working on a pipeline renovation project suffocated to death on the spot, and two others died despite emergency medical treatment.

Twelve rescuers also sustained minor smoke inhalation injuries, which were not life-threatening, the report said.

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

BAIL SET FOR TWO MEN CHARGED AFTER EXPLOSION
https://www.hjnews.com/news/crime_courts/bail-set-for-two-men-charged-after-explosion/article_b92d04b5-7c06-568e-bc0d-647d14f6e4dd.html
Tags: public, follow-up, injury, explosives, illegal

Two men charged with causing an explosion in the garage of a Providence home last week now have the option of posting bail.

Jeffrey Toombs, 21, was in the courtroom Monday, while 22-year-old Joshua Keith ‰?? who was arrested Friday after his release from the hospital ‰?? made his appearance by video.

Both were charged in 1st District Court with illegal possession of explosives or incendiary devices and reckless endangerment after a homemade blasting cap detonated in Keith‰??s hand last week.

Both have been held without bail until Monday‰??s court appearance, and according to court documents, investigators believed there was more explosive material available at a separate location, and until that material was properly secured, Toombs and Keith were a danger to the public.

Bail was set at $7,000 for Toombs and $10,000 for Keith.

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

GOV'T MOVES TO CUT CHEMICAL PLANT RISKS
http://www.ecns.cn/news/2019-04-16/detail-ifzhhxra9211347.shtml
Tags: China, industrial, explosion, environmental

Special expert to be assigned, factories to be moved away from residential areas

Authorities said special experts will be designated to help govern the hazardous chemical industry in key areas, while ramping up efforts to move plants out of densely populated areas.

The move comes as an investigation into a deadly explosion at a chemical plant in Jiangsu province continues.

Counties listed as key ones for concentrations of chemical factories will be assigned at least two experts as special consultants to offer technical support to local authorities' supervision work, according to a guideline from the State Council's Work Safety Committee.

The document, published on Monday by the Ministry of Emergency Management, said the experts will be chosen based on each of the counties' needs and in light of possible differences in their major types of chemical plants.

It said the experts will also contribute to emergency rescue and safety training work. While assisting enterprises in their construction of safety infrastructure, they are also expected to help enhance grassroots law enforcement capabilities.

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

NO INJURIES IN WAREHOUSE FIRE AT MILLIPORE SIGMA IN SHEBOYGAN COUNTY
https://fox6now.com/2019/04/14/no-injuries-in-warehouse-fire-at-millipore-sigma-in-sheboygan-county/
Tags: us_WI, industrial, fire, response, unknown_chemical

SHEBOYGAN COUNTY ‰?? Multiple departments were called out to a warehouse fire at Millipore Sigma near County Highway V and County Highway A in the Town of Wilson in Sheboygan County Sunday, April 14.

It happened just after 1 p.m.

The Town of Wilson fire chief said the fire broke out in a storage facility for production chemicals at the plant. It was under control within 30 minutes of the arrival of fire crews.

There were no reported injuries. Damage was very minimal.

The cause was under investigation, but the fire chief noted there was a single point of origin, and said a ‰??combustible solid‰?? was on fire.

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

THREE INDUSTRIAL WORKERS INJURED IN TAUNTON CHEMICAL EXPLOSION
https://www.wcvb.com/article/three-industrial-workers-injured-in-chemical-explosion-at-iqe-in-taunton/27140335
Tags: us_MA, industrial, explosion, injury, hydrogen, arsine

TAUNTON, Mass. ‰??
Three industrial workers were injured in a chemical explosion at a plant in the Myles Standish Industrial Park in Taunton, according to the Taunton Fire Department.

Firefighters responded to IQE, located at 200 John Hancock Road, at 12:25 a.m. for a reported explosion inside the plant.

Upon arrival, firefighters found three employees suffering from flash burns on their faces and hands. Firefighters were notified that the explosion could have possibly released hazardous materials into the air.

Firefighters requested a Tier 2 hazardous materials response, which brought in resources, personnel and equipment from around the region.

Officials at the scene determined the explosion involved compressed hydrogen and arsine. The hazmat crew determined that the danger was confined to a piece of equipment used in manufacturing and no materials were released into the environment.

The equipment was undergoing maintenance at the time of the explosion, according to the Taunton Fire Department.

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17 MORE DETAINED OVER CHINA BLAST THAT KILLED 78
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-6922615/17-detained-China-blast-killed-78.html
Tags: China, industrial, follow-up, death, unknown_chemical, illegal

Police have detained 17 more suspects connected to a chemical blast in eastern China last month which killed 78 and left hundreds injured, local authorities said Monday.

The explosion in eastern Jiangsu province was one of the worst industrial accidents in the country in recent years and led to the closure of the plant.

Police have taken "criminal coercive measures" against the 17 suspects, said the Yancheng city government on its official Twitter-like Weibo account, bringing the number people rounded up over the blast to 26.

The latest group includes individuals from an unnamed third-party organisation, who are accused of falsifying project evaluations, and Jiangsu Tianjiayi Chemical company, whose plant was involved in the blast.

The March 21 explosion razed an industrial park and blew out the windows of surrounding homes.

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