Chemical Incident Reporting – Week of 8-19-23

NOTE: See here for series background.

Warrenville, IL – 8-17-23

Local news reports: Here, here, and here.

A typical pool chemical accident in apartment storage room, chemicals spilled, mixed, and produce chlorine gas cloud. Building evacuated, only minor injuries reported.

Probably not a CSB reportable.

Nashua, NH – 8-21-23

Local news reports: Here, here, and here.

Six bug bombs activated in an apartment. 1 taken to hospital.

Possible CSB reportable, depending on if the patient was admitted. Again, this is a technical violation because an apartment could be considered a stationary source. While the owner/renter may be liable under other statutes, there is no way CSB is going to refer a failure to report to the EPA for this violation.

Bartlett, TX – 8-21-23

Local news reports: Here, here, and here.

Fertilizer (not ammonium nitrate) plant fire, no explosions. No injuries, facility destroyed.

Probable CSB reportable based upon damages.

Garyville, LA – 8-25-23

Local  news reports: Here, here, and here.

Chemical (naphtha) release and storage tank fire at refinery. No injuries, no explosions.

Probable CSB reportable based upon damages. If facilities were required to include off-site costs of evacuations, business and school closures in cost of damages, this would certainly exceed the $1 million minimum for reporting.