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**At_Symbol_Here**ACSDCHAS and **At_Symbol_Here**LabSustain tweets and Chemical Safety Headlines
Links to the headlines below can be found at the http://www.dchas.org/newsflash
Table of Contents (23 articles)
CROTON MAN ARRESTED AFTER HAZMAT, NARCOTICS PROBE
Tags: us_NY, public, discovery, response, unknown_chemical, illegal
HEADLINES, FEATURES, PHOTO AND VIDEOS FROM ECNS.CN|CHINA|NEWS|CHINANEWS|ECNS|CNS
Tags: China, industrial, release, environmental, metals, waste
WOOD DUST CAUSED PLUM CREEK MDF EXPLOSION
Tags: us_MT, industrial, explosion, injury, dust
7 PEOPLE INJURED AFTER HAZMAT SITUATION IN WEST CHARLOTTE
Tags: us_NC, industrial, release, injury, carbon_monoxide
MCSO RESPONDS TO EXPLOSION
Tags: us_MI, public, explosion, injury, methane, natural_gas
FIRE MARSHAL: CLOUD CAME FROM POOL CHEMICALS
Tags: us_MA, public, release, response, chlorine, pool_chemicals
CHESTERFIELD FIRE CREWS INVESTIGATE HAZMAT SITUATION
Tags: us_VA, public, release, injury, unknown_chemical
WANT TO KNOW ABOUT CHEMICALS STORED NEAR YOU? DON?T EXPECT TEXAS TO TELL YOU ANYMORE.
Tags: us_TX, industrial, follow-up, environmental, ag_chems, ammonium_nitrate
145 KG OF EXPLOSIVE CHEMICAL AMMONIUM NITRATE FOUND IN CAR IN VARANASI
Tags: India, transportation, discovery, response, ammonium_nitrate, explosives, illegal
GAS EXPLOSION IN CHEMICAL FACTORY; AMPLE AMOUNT OF GAS LEAKED
Tags: India, industrial, explosion, response, sulfuric_acid
MAN DIES, TWO INJURED WHILE CLEANING ASPHALT TANK
Tags: us_TX, industrial, release, death, unknown_chemical
UPDATE: USU VET SCIENCE BUILDING EVACUATED AFTER CHEMICAL SPILL
Tags: us_UT, laboratory, release, injury, bleach, chlorine, dust
W.VA. CHEMICAL SPILL COMPANY FACES MORE VIOLATIONS :: WRAL.COM
Tags: us_WV, industrial, release, response, waste
CHEMICAL LEAK NEAR USC NOW UNDER CONTROL
Tags: us_SC, laboratory, release, environmental, gas_cylinders, HCl
FIRE BREAKS OUT AT CHEMICAL UNIT IN NANDESARI GIDC
Tags: India, industrial, fire, injury, flammables, solvent
MARIETTA CHEMICAL PLANT FIRE LOSSES TOP $20 MILLION
Tags: us_GA, industrial, follow-up, injury, unknown_chemical
NO ACTION TAKEN IN CHEMICAL WAREHOUSE FIRE, AREA STILL POLLUTED
Tags: Viet_Nam, industrial, fire, environmental, unknown_chemical
HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL LISTS NO LONGER PUBLIC RECORD IN TEXAS
Tags: us_TX, public, follow-up, environmental, ag_chems, ammonium_nitrate
CHEMICAL LEAK IN CANADA SPARKS A FIRST NATIONS BLOCKADE
Tags: Canada, public, release, response, unknown_chemical
NEIGHBOR, FUNERAL DIRECTOR TALK ABOUT CHEMICAL THAT SPILLED IN ROANOKE CO. CRASH
Tags: us_VA, transportation, release, response, formaldehyde
MAN IN HAZMAT SUIT POURS ACID ON BOULDER ATM, RETURNS LATER TO TRY TO GET CASH
Tags: us_CO, education, release, response, unknown_chemical, illegal
BUFFALO STILL STRUGGLING WITH HAZMAT MANAGEMENT
Tags: us_NY, public, follow-up, environmental, flammables, mercury, paints, solvent, used_oil
CHEMICALS STASH IN HARWICH PROMPTS MAJOR RESPONSE
Tags: us_MA, public, discovery, response, picric_acid, time-sensitive
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CROTON MAN ARRESTED AFTER HAZMAT, NARCOTICS PROBE
Tags: us_NY, public, discovery, response, unknown_chemical, illegal
CROTON-ON-HUDSON ? For nearly a decade, neighbors said, Eric Scuccimarra stood out for all the wrong reasons in the Half Moon Bay complex, a quiet, gated community of two- and three-story townhouses that list for as much as $750,000.
The industrial fumes that seemed to waft from inside his gray, shingle-style home. The strange chemicals that trickled from under the garage door late at night. The furtive trips in rented vans. The fact that Scuccimarra rarely ventured out of the house to socialize.
But the neighbors were nonetheless stunned to learn that Scuccimarra, 37, had been arrested in connection with hazardous chemicals and narcotics found inside 1803 Half Moon Bay Drive that led to the evacuation of several buildings on Saturday.
"He kept to himself completely," said Keith Young, 39, who lives across the street. "And it was unusual that someone would crack their garage door at 2 a.m. with unusual smells every now and then."
Scuccimarra was charged with third- and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, both felonies. Police said the charges relate to narcotics found inside the home.
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HEADLINES, FEATURES, PHOTO AND VIDEOS FROM ECNS.CN|CHINA|NEWS|CHINANEWS|ECNS|CNS
Tags: China, industrial, release, environmental, metals, waste
A chemical plant suspected of causing lead poisoning in more than 300 children in Hengdong county, Central China's Hunan province, was shut down Saturday, said the county government.
One local official, however, contended that the results might come from the children "biting pencils."
China Central Television (CCTV) reported Saturday that blood tests on more than 300 children in Dapu township, Hengdong county found excessive lead levels, a sign of heavy metal poisoning.
The lead density in the children's blood all exceeded the national standard of 100 micrograms per liter for children, with some reaching as high as 501 micrograms per liter, which indicates severe poisoning, the report showed.
Local residents suspect that nearby chemical plant Meilun Chemical Materials Ltd, which discharged untreated particulates and waste water into the Xiangjiang River, is responsible for the pollution.
The county government announced Saturday an investigation into both the company owner and the local environmental protection bureau.
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WOOD DUST CAUSED PLUM CREEK MDF EXPLOSION
Tags: us_MT, industrial, explosion, injury, dust
It will take some time to pinpoint the exact origin of an explosion and fire that heavily damaged Plum Creek?s medium density fiberboard plant on June 10, Columbia Falls fire chief Rick Hagen said.
The large explosions were caused by dust that mixed with air and ignited, blowing metal sheeting off exterior walls and heavily damaging the plant, Hagen said. No plant workers were injured.
The fire investigation is ongoing, Hagen said. Plum Creek personnel in the coming days will go over computer records for the fire suppression system to pinpoint the exact origin of the explosions and fire, he said.
The explosions drew a countywide firefighting effort, with nearly 70 emergency services personnel on the scene at one point. The initial call came out at 3:10 p.m., and firefighters were off the scene about 9:45 p.m.
---------------------------------------------
7 PEOPLE INJURED AFTER HAZMAT SITUATION IN WEST CHARLOTTE
Tags: us_NC, industrial, release, injury, carbon_monoxide
CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) -
Seven people were taken to the hospital after a HAZMAT situation in west Charlotte.
The incident happened at a plant owned by Wikoff Color on the 2800 block of Interstate Street just before 3 p.m. Monday.
Firefighters reported a strong chemical odor after, they say, welding was being done in poorly-ventilated area.
Medic confirmed that seven people were being taken from the scene to an area hospital. Firefighters confirmed they were injured due to carbon monoxide poisoning.
All those injured, who were employees of the plant, were released from the hospital Monday night with doctors' permission to return to work Tuesday, Art Dennis of Wikoff Color told WBTV.
---------------------------------------------
MCSO RESPONDS TO EXPLOSION
Tags: us_MI, public, explosion, injury, methane, natural_gas
Two Sanilac Drain and Tile Company workers were injured following a natural gas line rupture in Richmond on June 3.
At 1 p.m., the Macomb County Sheriff's Office received a call referencing a loud explosion in the area of Place Road south of 33 Mile Road.
Deputies and emergency personnel responded. Investigations revealed that a crew was laying tile in a field and ruptured a gas line belonging to Blue Water Gas Storage and caused an explosion. Two men, ages 52 and 23, were injured as a result, and were transported to the hospital for treatment. Both men were reported as being in stable condition.
Built-in safety valves activated to shut off the leaking gas. No other injuries or damage to property were reported.
---------------------------------------------
FIRE MARSHAL: CLOUD CAME FROM POOL CHEMICALS
Tags: us_MA, public, release, response, chlorine, pool_chemicals
PROVINCETOWN ? The formation of a dense cloud of chlorine that lead to the evacuation of several homes in the area of Bradford Street on Friday night was caused by open pool chemical containers being left outside in the rain, according to the State Fire Marshal's office.
The owners of a home on Bradford near the intersection of Pilgrim Heights Road left for the weekend with containers of chlorine open on the deck, State Fire Marshal spokeswoman Jennifer Mieth said. When it rained, the chemicals reacted with the water and created vapor that wafted over to the neighboring yard, she said.
Residents of the neighboring home were preparing for a rehearsal dinner for a wedding when they saw a dense cloud come into their yard and immediately evacuated.
A hazardous materials team contained the chemical leak quickly and there were no injuries, Mieth said.
---------------------------------------------
CHESTERFIELD FIRE CREWS INVESTIGATE HAZMAT SITUATION
Tags: us_VA, public, release, injury, unknown_chemical
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) ? Chesterfield fire crews responded to the 500 block of Coalbrook Dr. around 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon for a chemical smell that happened inside a home.
Lt. Jason Elmore said crews found two people outside that had symptoms of inhaling chemicals and one person was still inside the home.
?Our crews made entry and were able to pull one person from the home out,? said Lt. Elmore.
Elmore said one juvenile is currently in serious condition and was taken to VCU Medical Center.
?It appears at this point that there were several different household chemicals that had been mixed together that were producing an off gassing between the three,? said Lt. Elmore.
Fire crews said it?s still unclear if the chemicals were mixed intentionally or accidentally, but are still investigating.
---------------------------------------------
WANT TO KNOW ABOUT CHEMICALS STORED NEAR YOU? DON?T EXPECT TEXAS TO TELL YOU ANYMORE.
Tags: us_TX, industrial, follow-up, environmental, ag_chems, ammonium_nitrate
The state agency that collects and maintains information on large chemical supplies across Texas has stopped sharing it with the public.
That was the type of information The Dallas Morning News used after last year?s deadly West explosion to identify dozens of other locations with ammonium nitrate fertilizer near homes and schools.
The Department of State Health Services released its database of chemical inventories, as reported by businesses across the state, after The News and other news media made public-information requests following the West disaster.
But the department changed course starting March 1. It began asking the Attorney General?s Office whether it had to withhold the information because of a 2003 state statute involving homeland security.
---------------------------------------------
145 KG OF EXPLOSIVE CHEMICAL AMMONIUM NITRATE FOUND IN CAR IN VARANASI
Tags: India, transportation, discovery, response, ammonium_nitrate, explosives, illegal
Lucknow: A large cache of explosives was recovered in Varanasi, the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Saturday, police said.
The haul comprised 145 kg of ammonium nitrate concealed in a car. Ammonium nitrate is commonly used in fertilisers but also acts as an oxidising agent in explosives.
Following a tip-off, policemen from the Lanka police station intercepted the vehicle in the Ramnagar area. However, upon spotting the police, the car passengers escaped leaving behind the vehicle.
Police said the car was headed towards Bihar. Some officials said the explosives were meant for illegal mining purposes.
Security agencies have launched a probe as the haul was found in a VVIP constituency, represented by Mr Modi.
---------------------------------------------
GAS EXPLOSION IN CHEMICAL FACTORY; AMPLE AMOUNT OF GAS LEAKED
Tags: India, industrial, explosion, response, sulfuric_acid
Meghnagar: An ample amount of harmful chemical gas leaked out on Saturday from a chemical factory located at the industrial development center. Due to an intense explosion in the boiler of sulphuric acid in Shervani Enterprises, a lot of gas leaked out. Due to this mishap, many nearby villages were affected. People had to face burning sensation in eyes and they could not breathe properly.
On Saturday afternoon, people notice smoke intensifying from the back of the factory. After sometime, people started agitating due to a sharp foul smell. The passengers passing by were also getting affected. People informed the SDM and other officials about this, on which SDM PS Chauhan and other officials reached the spot. As soon as they entered the factory, the boiler which sulphuric acid exploded and there was a lot of smoke observed. The officials had to run for their lives as soon as they saw the explosion. Till now no life-loss has been registered because of the leakage.
There are many chemical factories in the region. Most of them so not even follow the rules and regulations as defined by the pollution control board. The industrial area is affecting the land and water to a great extent.
---------------------------------------------
MAN DIES, TWO INJURED WHILE CLEANING ASPHALT TANK
Tags: us_TX, industrial, release, death, unknown_chemical
CANUTILLO, Texas -
A worker was overcome by fumes while cleaning an asphalt tank at the Jobe Avispa Canyon Quarry early Saturday morning.
El Paso Fire Department officials responded to the quarry in Canutillo at 7410 N. Desert Blvd. Upon arrival, firefighters saw workers on top of a tanker attempting to rescue two victims inside. Fire officials said the victims were cleaning the inside of tanker when they grew ill.
A third worker was able to self-rescue prior to FD arrival. He was treated and transported to area hospital. The remaining two victims were rescued from the tanker by firefighters and were also transported to area hospitals. One of the victims, a 58 year old male, succumbed to his injuries and later died.
OSHA officials were notified of the workplace fatality.
EPFD rescue units backed by West Valley firefighters, responded to the scene along with El Paso EMS and Life ambulance.
---------------------------------------------
UPDATE: USU VET SCIENCE BUILDING EVACUATED AFTER CHEMICAL SPILL
Tags: us_UT, laboratory, release, injury, bleach, chlorine, dust
The veterinary science building at Utah State University?s Laboratory Animal Research Center is being evacuated this afternoon while hazmat teams respond to an incident that is reportedly identical to a chemical spill that took place there in March.
In March, a granulated powder substance was left inside an autoclave, a device that uses high pressure, high temperature steam for disinfection.
A technician in the building noticed a burning smell and contacted dispatchers, generating a multiagency response from both the USU Environmental Health and Safety Team and a hazmat team from the Logan City Fire Department.
An expired, 5-gallon bucket of Virkon, a bleach substance, was found inside the autoclave. When mixed with a small amount of liquid, it releases chlorine gas into the air.
Photo gallery: USU building evacuated after chemical spill
It is unknown what substance is inside the autoclave in today?s incident, but at least one person has been exposed to a chemical and is being evaluated on site.
---------------------------------------------
W.VA. CHEMICAL SPILL COMPANY FACES MORE VIOLATIONS :: WRAL.COM
Tags: us_WV, industrial, release, response, waste
CHARLESTON, W.VA. ? A Charleston company faces state violations after a storm water collection trench overflowed at the same site where chemicals spilled into West Virginia's largest water supply in January.
The Department of Environmental Protection issued two notices of violations to Freedom Industries on Friday. They include allowing a discharge from an unpermitted outlet and not complying with a previous order to implement an approved sump management plan.
The spill sent a "small but undetermined" amount of water into the Elk River, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection.
West Virginia American Water detected no traces of the chemical in treated and untreated water at its treatment plant Thursday night.
"Those test results are the best indicator that there are no public health concerns related to this release," Scott Mandirola, DEP Division of Water and Waste Management director, said in a news release.
---------------------------------------------
CHEMICAL LEAK NEAR USC NOW UNDER CONTROL
Tags: us_SC, laboratory, release, environmental, gas_cylinders, HCl
COLUMBIA (WACH) - The chemical leak that caused the evacuation at USC is now under control.
The Columbia Fire Department was on the scene of a chemical leak at The Swearingen Engineering Center at the University of South Carolina.
Assistant Chief Jamie Helms said a cylinder of Hydrogen Chloride compressed gas was leaking into a vent system designed for chemicals.
---------------------------------------------
FIRE BREAKS OUT AT CHEMICAL UNIT IN NANDESARI GIDC
Tags: India, industrial, fire, injury, flammables, solvent
VADODARA: A major fire broke out at a chemical unit located at Nandesari-GIDC here on Friday morning. A large section of A K Chemicals went up in flames and Vadodara Fire Brigade said that two persons suffered minor injuries. Fire fighters from Gujarat Refinery, Reliance Industries Ltd and Nandesari Association rushed to the spot and doused the fire. According to Fire Brigade officials, four fire fighting vans used foam and water to douse the fire.
"The storage of solvent in A K Chemicals went up in flames. We are yet to know the exact cause of the fire but it was doused within an hour. We had sent a vehicle for backup from Fire Brigade," said Om Jadeja, fire officer, Vadodara.
Two tempos parked near the unit too went up in flames during the fire. Panic spread among those working in the units nearby in Nandesari-GIDC as heavy smoke bellowed from A K Chemicals. The entire stock of solvent kept in the unit got gutted in the fire even as fire fighters tried hard to contain the flames. Fire officer, Om Jadeja said that the firm used the highly inflammable solvent for preparing another product. Nandesari-GIDC is home to many chemical units that store and manufacture different types of chemicals. This GIDC has witnessed fire incidents regularly.
---------------------------------------------
MARIETTA CHEMICAL PLANT FIRE LOSSES TOP $20 MILLION
Tags: us_GA, industrial, follow-up, injury, unknown_chemical
Losses from the massive fire and explosions at a Marietta chemical company are being estimated at $20.5 million, according to reports released by the Marietta fire department. Employees were working at an Amrep warehouse when fire broke out May 23, but fire alarms alerted them to the blaze and all escaped, the reports say. One worker was hospitalized for smoke inhalation, but no other injuries were reported.
The reports also reveal that in the morning after the fire, company representatives found that leaks were coming from two large tanks at the site, and that firefighters discovered a pile of 50-gallon drums still smoldering. But the most compelling information on the reports may be harrowing descriptions of the situations firefighters faced as water supplies dwindled. Read more at MyAJC.com.
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NO ACTION TAKEN IN CHEMICAL WAREHOUSE FIRE, AREA STILL POLLUTED
Tags: Viet_Nam, industrial, fire, environmental, unknown_chemical
Local residents in Binh Chanh District in HCM City have are concerned about the consequences of the fire at Tan Hung Thai Company Ltd storage site in Le Minh Xuan Industrial Zone.
The fire occurred in mid-April, but only on June 5 did the HCM City Department of Natural Resources and the Environment meet to discuss the solutions to settle the problem.
Local authorities issued orders to set up embankments with a total length of 600 meters to prevent the chemicals from pouring into Canal No 6.
However, the danger still exists: the embankments may collapse if it rains heavily.
According to Cao Tung Son, deputy head of the district?s environment sub-department, the water samples taken lately showed that pollution of the Canal No 6 has lessened.
---------------------------------------------
HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL LISTS NO LONGER PUBLIC RECORD IN TEXAS
Tags: us_TX, public, follow-up, environmental, ag_chems, ammonium_nitrate
DALLAS -- For the past 30 years, federal law has required chemical makers and handlers to disclose what's stored on premises. It's called the Community Right To Know Act, and it has been at the core of the safety conversation since last year's deadly fertilizer explosion in West, Texas.
But News 8 has learned that in the past few weeks, state health officials have stopped making those hazardous chemical records public.
On May 29, emergency responders in Athens, Texas, were faced with a potential disaster. An old storage building filled with explosive ammonium nitrate near the center of town was on fire. According to the Community Right To Know Act, the chemical contents of that building had to be publicly disclosed through what's called a Tier II report.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, ?states and communities [...] can use the Tier II information to improve chemical safety and protect public health and the environment." In Texas, Tier II reports are kept on file at the Department of State Health Services and according to its web site, those reports are public information. All citizens "may ask for" them by simply filling out a request.
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CHEMICAL LEAK IN CANADA SPARKS A FIRST NATIONS BLOCKADE
Tags: Canada, public, release, response, unknown_chemical
On Tuesday morning, staff at the Northern Pulp-owned Abercrombie Point pulp and paper mill in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, observed that a pipe carrying raw effluent to its final destination of the Boat Harbor Treatment Facility had sprung a leak and was spewing its contents into the adjacent waters of Pictou Harbor.
Northern Pulp spokesperson Dave MacKenzie could not verify how many hours the leak had been going on for, nor if the pipe itself had been absolutely severed ? and was thus spewing its total contents into the harbor.
The official mill stance is that the leak was discovered at about 7AM and the shutdown process: ?began immediately and took a couple of hours.?
Pictou Landing First Nation resident Jonathan Beadle, however, suspects that the leak had gone undetected through the previous night ? and that the pipe itself was completely ruptured at the leak point.
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NEIGHBOR, FUNERAL DIRECTOR TALK ABOUT CHEMICAL THAT SPILLED IN ROANOKE CO. CRASH
Tags: us_VA, transportation, release, response, formaldehyde
ROANOKE CO., Va. -
We are learning more about a potentially hazardous chemical that spilled onto the property of nearly twenty families in Roanoke County.
A truck carrying thousands of gallons of a formaldehyde solution overturned Wednesday morning on Jae Valley Road, forcing those people to evacuate.
Contractors with the Department of Environmental Quality are checking to make sure everything is OK. That includes soil, water and air samples.
---------------------------------------------
MAN IN HAZMAT SUIT POURS ACID ON BOULDER ATM, RETURNS LATER TO TRY TO GET CASH
Tags: us_CO, education, release, response, unknown_chemical, illegal
BOULDER, Colo. - A man in full hazmat gear poured some kind of acid on an ATM in Boulder and returned later to try to get the cash.
He was caught on camera May 29 at 2:30 a.m. at the Center for Community on campus, according to the University of Colorado Police Department.
The man was first caught on tape wearing a plastic suit, gloves and a protective helmet.
He returned later in street clothes and poured the contents of two water bottles on the machine. He checked the machine again in the morning but could not remove any cash.
"I am concerned what the suspect would have done to anyone who surprised him during his attempt to break into the ATM," said Detective Sgt. Michael Lowry. "The suspect caused significant damage to the ATM and we are hopeful the public will assist us in identifying him."
The machine was damaged beyond repair and the replacement cost is estimated at $50,000, investigators said.
If arrested, the suspect would face felony charges of Criminal Mischief and Attempted Burglary.
Anyone using an ATM should always be aware of their surroundings. If you see anything suspicious, leave the area and report the incident to the local police.
---------------------------------------------
BUFFALO STILL STRUGGLING WITH HAZMAT MANAGEMENT
Tags: us_NY, public, follow-up, environmental, flammables, mercury, paints, solvent, used_oil
Following a 2011 hazardous materials agreement between the City of Buffalo and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the city?s handling of dangerous goods has not improved as much as residents had hoped.
City Hall is now facing more than $100,000 in fines after the mishandling and improper storage of spent lamps that could leak mercury, as well as old paint, used oil and cleaning fluids that could ignite if exposed to flame.
A report from Buffalo?s Investigative Post states that the city?s problems came to the attention of the EPA in 2008. After the 2011 agreement assured the city had matters under control, it was just five months later that EPA officials discovered more problems, including nearly a ton of ignitable paints, thinners and solvents stored in hundreds of containers, many corroded and leaking, at the city?s mechanical services building at 1326 Seneca St. EPA inspectors EPA inspectors also found hundreds of spent lamps, some broken, stored in City Hall and the Buffalo Science Museum
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CHEMICALS STASH IN HARWICH PROMPTS MAJOR RESPONSE
Tags: us_MA, public, discovery, response, picric_acid, time-sensitive
HARWICH ? Hazardous materials experts descended on a Harwich neighborhood Thursday, spending seven hours removing bottles of old chemicals from a Bank Street home.
The exact source of the materials is unknown, but firefighters suspect they were left by the homeowner, who is listed in town assessing records as Peter A. Nickerson, of Amherst, N.Y. A pathologist, Nickerson may at one time have done some chemistry at his 322 Bank St. home, according to Harwich Deputy Fire Chief Kent Farrenkopf.
....
Nickerson could not be reached for comment. Firefighters guessed that the chemicals had been in the home for decades, Farrenkopf said.
Mark Nickerson, no relation to the homeowner, who was the contractor hired to clean out the vacant house, found as many as 50 bottles of old and poorly labeled chemicals, Farrenkopf said. He called the Fire Department.
"He did the right thing and called us, rather than throw it in a dumpster," said Hyannis fire Lt. Norman "Spanky" Sylvester, an expert on hazardous materials removal.
Some chemicals, including picric acid, were highly explosive and had to be removed by the state police bomb squad, Sylvester said.
The acid had to be transferred without bumps or sudden movements, Farrenkopf said. The bomb squad put the bottles inside buckets filled with SpeedyDry.
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