Toxic Gas Released at Oklahoma Company
Subject: Toxic Gas Released at Okla. Company...............
Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2001 09:00:02 -0400
From: Stephen Tvedten <steve@getipm.com>
Organization: Get Set Inc. (www.getipm.com)
To: Paul Helliker <phelliker@cdpr.ca.gov>
Director, State of
California, Department of Pesticide Regulation
cc: Christine Whitman whitman.christine@epa.gov
Dear Mr. Helliker, In my last e-mail I mentioned we STILL are being exposed to your "registered" arsenic long after the dangers to non-target species were being noted. The following article should be of interest to you:
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Industrial-Accident.html?searchpv=aponline
[in New York Times Mod: Need to register (free) to view article and monitor
thread. - G]
Not *quite* identical:
http://www.nandotimes.com/nation/story/41510p-652256c.html
Toxic Gas Released at Okla. Company - By THE ASSOCIATED
PRESS - Filed at 8:27 p.m. ET
TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- A valve on a chemical tank blew off
and released toxic gas Wednesday, sending nearly 100 people to hospitals with
breathing problems and nausea.
People exposed to arsine gas may not notice a reaction for
several hours, medical officials warned.
``Reaction to the gas may be delayed and anyone who feels
they have been exposed should seek medical attention,'' said Dr. William Banner,
medical director of Oklahoma State Poison Control.
Arsine destroys red blood cells and breathing even small
amounts can be harmful.
Ambulances, city buses and private cars transported 95
people to hospitals, said Chris Metcalf, spokesman for the city's ambulance
service.
The gas release occurred before 2 p.m. on a loading dock at
Solkatronic Chemical, port spokesman Alan Vierthaler said. The fire department's
hazardous materials unit placed the leaking tank in another container to stop
the leak.
Solkatronic and one nearby business were evacuated. About
50 businesses are located in the industrial park at the Tulsa Port of Catoosa,
an inland waterway near the Tulsa suburb.
The evacuation order was lifted by evening.
There is no antidote for arsine poisoning, but doctors can give exposed patients fluids to protect their kidneys, a poison control center fact sheet said. In severe poisoning, blood transfusions may be needed.
Well Mr. Helliker, The typical arsine is AsH3, arsenoushydride or arseniuretted hydrogen, a very poisonous gas, and some of its compounds have been used in warfare. It causes hemolysis, jaundice, gastroenteritis and nephritis. But, it could be any member of a peculiar group of volatile arsenical bases, formed when arsenous acid is brought in contact with albuminous substances. I really am angry that while "everyone" knows how dangerous this POISON is - even in small quantities and people may not notice a reaction for several hours and the fact there is no antidote - that "they" stored this TOXIN around people. How would someone know if they were exposed if there are no symptoms for hours? Do you how many/much of your "registered" POISONS are stored around people?
Respectfully, Stephen L. TvedtenIf you would like to be included in our mailing list for continuing information on pesticides, Email Us. with "subscribe" in the subject line.