High school students and explosive chemicals mix about as well as fire and ethanol. Hyperactive attention spans and over exaggerations in abilities are also a proven equation for disaster. Swirling beakers of pungent chemicals while trying to accurately measure new concoctions is a challenge for even experienced lab technicians, let alone novice chemists. While understanding…
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Midwestern oil fields, which strive to meet our basic energy needs, reside in a perilous state. Running nearly the entire length of Tornado Alley, drilling operations and surplus oil storage tanks remain a prime target for tornadoes. Located in wide open areas, vulnerable equipment and volatile energy stockpiles create a venerable powder keg of destruction.…
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Not all chemical storage dilemmas require a permanent solution. Renovations, ongoing construction work or project relocation can expose hazardous materials to accelerants or errant sparks. While otherwise stored under lock and key, hazardous materials become an afterthought as crews leave these dangerous chemicals by the wayside. In the confusion of reconfiguring operations or expanding the…
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Compliant chemical storage isn’t a one-size fits all mentality. There are many variables to consider when securing proper storage for the job-site. Does your chemical stockpile contain flammable items? Are you trying to store non-compatible items? How does temperature affect you chemicals and how will fluctuations affect their composition? These are all important questions to…
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Tornado season is everlasting. There’s just no beginning or ending. While storm season traditionally runs from spring to late fall, sporadic winter storms have debunked all conventional wisdom when it comes to killer tornadoes. Can we ever really get a break? And what about tracking the path or frequency of tornadoes? In the past, most…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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