Accidental spills

Other sources of hazard arise from the handling of such chemicals as concentrated acids, alkalis, metallic sodium and bromine, and in working with such extremely poisonous substances as sodium and potassium cyanides. The special precautions to be observed will be indicated, where necessary, in the experiments in which the substances are employed, and will also be supplied by the demonstrator. The exercise of obvious precautions and cautious handling will in most cases reduce the danger to almost negligible proportions. Thus, if concentrated sulphuric acid should be accidentally spilled, it should be immediately washed with a liberal quantity of water or of a solution of a mild alkali. 

The leagent may also be prepared by dissolving 1 ml. of phenylhydrazine in a solution of 1 ml. of glacial acetic acid and 10 ml. of water. This procedure is not so convenient as that from the solid hydrochloride becaiise of the poisonous character of phenylhydrazine (both liquid and vapour). If the liquid is accidentally spilled on the skin, wash it at once with dilute acetic acid, followed by soap and water. 

Nitrobenzene (and many other liquid organic compoimds containing nitrogen) is appreciably toxic and its vapour should not be allowed to escape into the atmosphere of the laboratory the delivery tube of the condenser should pass well into the mouth of the receiver flask. The liquid is also a skin poison if it Is accidentally spilled on the skin, it should be removed by washing with a litt e methylated spirit, followed by soap and warm water. 

Disposal of waste or spilled caustic soda must meet all federal, state, and local regulations and be carried out by properly trained personnel. Accidental spills of dry caustic are shoveled and flushed with water caustic soda solutions must be diluted and neutralized with acid before discharging into sewers. Dilute acetic acid may be used to neutralize final traces of caustic. 

In order to handle accidental spills or overflows, a spill basin maybe provided, into which the flow is diverted if the concentration of a particular constituent exceeds a predetermined value. If equalization precedes biological treatment, in addition to the organic loading, high fluctuations in temperature, salinity, and toxic organics must also be considered. After the spill is contained, the wastewater flow is diverted back to the equalization basin. The contents of the spill basin are then pumped at a constant controlled rate to the equalization basin. 

HBr reacts with metals, producing highly explosive hydrogen gas. If aleak or spill occurs, exposure to the vapors should be avoided. If a high concentration of aqueous acid is accidentally spilled, it should be diluted immediately with water to reduce fuming prior to neutralization. Hydrobromic acid may be neutralized with soda ash or lime sprinkled over the contaminated area. An aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide may also be used to neutralize the diluted acid. 

Outline a risk assessment for the accidental spill of battery acid in an auto repair shop. 

Phosphorus-32 is used in biochemical studies to follow the pathway taken by metabolites. Its half-life is 14.3 days. A vial containing 10.0 jug (1 jug = 1 X 10-6 g) of P-32 is accidentally spilled into a sink. 

If die product is accidentally spilled, sprayed, or splashed in the eye, wash die eye immediately witii copious amounts of running water. Contact die primary healdi care provider immediately if burning, pain, redness, discomfort, or blurred vision persists for more tiian a few minutes. 

Spills may represent the greatest point source release of methyl parathion to groundwater and surface water. An accidental spill caused by a warehouse fire in Nebraska released methyl parathion to a drainage ditch that emptied into the Missouri River (Kawahara et al. 1967). In another incident, 10 tons of methyl parathion spilled in the Mediterranean Sea near Eg q)t as a result of a collision between two ships (Badawy et al. 1984). 

There is much concern for the safety of personnel handling articles contaminated with pathogenic viruses such as hepatitis B virus (HB V) and human immunodeficiency vims (HIV) which causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Some agents have been recommended for disinfection of HBV and HIV depending on the circumstances and level of contamination these are hsted in Table 10.4. Disinfectants must be able to treat rapidly and reliably accidental spills of blood, body fluids or secretions from HIV infected patients. Such spills may contain levels of HIV as high as lO" infectious units/ml. Recent evidence Irom the Medical Devices Agency evaluation of disinfectants against HIV indicated that few chemicals could destroy the vims in a... 

Both removal and remedial actions may be carried out at the same site. To accomplish these tasks, CERCLA has given cleanup authority to U.S. EPA, has established the Hazardous Substance Response Trust Fund (Superfund) to finance the remedial actions at CERCLA sites, has initiated a procedure for the emergency response to accidental spills, and has imposed cleanup liability on those responsible. The National Contingency Plan (NCP) was developed in 1982 and in 1985 as the regulatory framework to guide these responses. 

Direct release of acrylonitrile to soil during acrylonitrile production and use is believed to be minimal (less than 1 kkg/yr) (Kayser et al. 1982). Accidental spills or leaks from hazardous waste sites could lead to local areas of soil contamination, and acrylonitrile has been detected in soil at 3 chemical waste sites (NPL and other sites) being investigated under Superfund (CLPSD 1988). 

Earthworms (Eisenia fetida) held in soils containing 53 mg Cu/kg DW show a 50% reduction in cocoon production in 56 days 32 mg Cu/kg soil had no effect on cocoon production (Spurgeon et al. 1994). The LC50 (56 days) value for earthworms is 555 mg Cu/kg DW soil no deaths occur at 210 mg/kg soil during this period. Copper is more toxic to Eisenia fetida than are salts of cadmium, zinc, or lead (Spurgeon et al. 1994). Copper adversely affects the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus (Ma 1984). Concentrations of 150 mg Cu/kg surface soil from an accidental spill of copper... 

There have been many accidental spills of chlorpyrifos, but little quantitative assessment of its environmental effects. One exception is a spill in April 1985 in England (Boreham and Birch 1987). In that instance, a truck overturned, spilling 205 L chlorpyrifos into an adjacent stream that drained into the Roding River. A resulting sharp decrease in the number and type of macroinvertebrate benthic organisms in affected parts of the river, compared to unaffected areas, lasted 6 months. In addition, certain chlorpyrifos-resistant benthic organisms were unusually abundant. 

Numerous accidental spills of sodium cyanide or potassium cyanide into rivers and streams have resulted in massive kills of fishes, amphibians, aquatic insects, and aquatic vegetation. Sources of poisonings were storage reservoirs of concentrated solutions, overturned rail tank cars, or discharge of substances generating free HCN in the water from hydrolysis or decomposition (Leduc... 

Given the widespread use of JP-8 in the military and aviation industry, concern about occupational exposure of women of child-bearing age has emerged as this workforce continues to expand. Furthermore, accidental spills associated with pipelines or storage facilities can contaminate soil or water, posing unpredictable health risks to nearby residential areas. Taken together, these concerns provide adequate basis to investigate the developmental toxicity of JP-8. 

Ideally, each fume hood should be individually exhausted from the building. This allows for the greatest flexibility within the hood as to selection of chemicals that can be used. It also provides the most safety in case of an accidental spill, fire, or explosion. 

Pesticides in wastewaters come typically from point sources of contamination such as disposal sites and landfills where industrial or agricultural wastes are buried without any consideration, as well as discharges from industrial effluents from pesticide production plants. Furthermore, nonpoint sources derived from regular agricultural activities, especially in intensive agricultural areas, and accidental spills can also be significant. Urban use of pesticides is also possible in large cities where the use of herbicides and insecticides may result in runoff into the sewers. These sewers in turn may expel pesticides into wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). 

Hexane enters the air, water, and soil during its manufacture and use. Wastes containing //-hexane are sometimes disposed of in landfills. //-Hexane can enter the environment from these landfills. //-Hexane also enters the environment from accidental spills during transport and leaks from storage containers. 

This preparation must be carried out in a hood having good ventilation. Methyl sulfate has a high vapor pressure in spite of its high boiling point and is very poisonous. Ammonia is a specific antidote and should be kept on hand to destroy any of the ester accidentally spilled. It is advisable to wash the hands in dilute ammonium hydroxide frequently. 

Wastewater equalization is necessary to reduce biological system upsets from large variations of influent compositions or other physical parameters such as temperature. Equalization is accomplished by providing sufficient residence time and often mixing energy. Neutralization is often necessary to protect both the treatment system biological activity as well as the materials of construction. Accidental spills of significant impact upon wastewater pH occur relatively frequently in the hydrocarbon industry. 

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