Ammonium nitrate fertilizer is one of the most volatile substances in any chemical arsenal. Most commonly used in fertilizers and explosives, commercial grade bulk supplies are like a primed powder keg. In concentrated amounts, ammonium nitrate can level entire city blocks in one fell swoop. Explosions from improper ammonium nitrate always end in catastrophe. In…
Despite efforts to stop poor chemical safety and storage practices, violent chemical explosions continue to rock unsuspecting communities. Home windows rattled and the floor beneath Westlake, La residents shook with liquefying intensity after an explosion at the town’s chemical plant. Plant officials say a Ethylene Dichloride tank exploded, sending a dark plume of black smoke…
Alcohol-based hand sanitizer remains a frontline defender against the dreaded coronavirus disease. Since the pandemic reached American shores in March 2020, sanitizers, disinfectants, and personal protective equipment have become commercial mainstays. Most businesses rely on foot traffic for survival. COVID-19 exposure can diminish operating hours. To slow the virus’s spread and to avoid another costly…
Despite the horrors of war, some of humanity’s greatest technological triumphs come alongside bombs and bullets. WWII is most commonly known as the dawn of the Nuclear Age. Despite years of staunch isolationism, America emerged armed to the teeth and ready to squash any challenge to its influence. Mass killing became an unfortunate byproduct of…
Chemical incidents can shake communities to their very core. In an ironic twist of fate, the same companies providing jobs for thousands of people can become a tremendous burden. Industrial complexes and factories handle a battery of dangerous chemicals everyday. Failure to adopt and follow stringent safety protocols often leads to explosions and fires. As…
Chemical storage is full of hidden dangers. From small inventories to expansive warehouses, silent threats abound. Incompatible storage is a leading culprit for dangerous chemical incidents. Without proper safeguards in place, dangerous chemicals can interact, resulting in fire or the release of toxic vapors. Flammable materials and corrosive substances should never interact, nor should oxidizers…
Not all chemical storage is “as pure as the driven snow.” While ski resorts might seem pristine in nature with their well-manicured trails in a perpetual winter wonderland, these artificial environments require a huge chemical payload to keep the lifts running year round. Ski resorts rely on artificial snowmaking machines and groomers that require cleaners,…
America is ‘Going Green.’ Climate change is underscoring the need for alternative energies and sustainable development. As industrial manufacturers look to lessen their carbon footprint, the nascent renewable energy industry anticipates sustainable growth. After years of combatting misinformation from the insidious propaganda machines of ‘Big Oil’ and the fossil fuel industry, sustainable development is situated…
Proper chemical storage depends on segregation. Mixing incompatible materials will invariably result in catastrophe. While seemingly inert, otherwise stable chemical compounds can have adverse reactions with hazardous materials from different classifications. Most of these volatile interactions, however, are more subtle than we realize. Container degradation and leaks occur when corrosive materials seep through rusty barrels…
Not every resource is truly renewable. The fate of our fragile environments and ecosystems are predicated on the merits of conservation. As industry and profit soar to new heights, these metrics of progress and growth also encroach upon our pristine rivers and waterways. Chemicals that better our lives and accelerate manufacturing are also dangerous to…