An unprovoked invasion of Russian forces in the Ukraine could trigger a chain reaction of nuclear contamination in eastern Europe. After years of relative dormant activity, the infamous Chernobyl reactor is glowing fiery red. In the early stages of last week’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian forces seized the reactor site, which continues to ooze lethal…
Hazmat responses run the gamut from the extreme to relatively benign. When you’ve been in the business of providing chemical protection as long as we have, you’ve seen it all. From fertilizer explosions to overheating battery blocks and even a mass fentanyl exposure event. The whacky and unpredictable are our niche. Sometimes the smallest sparks…
For decades, cosmetics have concealed blemishes and impurities. The go-to beauty enhancer, the average American woman spends more than $300 a month getting all dolled up. Putting on face is a multi-billion dollar industry. Even when the mascara or foundation is just out of reach, a digital blusher, or Snapchat filter, is the go-to for…
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,…