Chemical fire reported in Lake Charles following Hurricane Laura's landfall; shelter-in-place issued

Langley said the agency got the call about the fire about 9 a.m. and was trying to find a way to access the plant.

I am not so sure that a shelter in place, with the AC off and all windows closed, would be my first choice unless I saw that cloud on top of me.

Get the h*ll out fast is my initial response.

And there is the Isle of Capri casino stuck under the bridge. That may not turn out so well for the insurance consortium that insures the chemical plant.

Crazy ass bridge

Turn off the air conditioning? In coastal TX? Be better to bug out.

I saw Honore` was blabbing on FOX this morning. That man has nothing I want to hear after bashing the president the way he has. This morning he was complaining that there aren’t enough resources in place for this hurricane! Really?? You’re such a genius - how much do you have on your plate? For those who dislike filthy mouthed people as much as I do, be warned. He had his moment in the sun during Katrina - this is the REAL person! Spouting such filth when speaking about the president is unforgivable but it seems to be more acceptable each day by a certain segment of society.

https://www.rawstory.com/2020/07/lt-gen-honore-unloads-profanity-on-trump-over-testing-claim-embarrassing-for-man-with-the-nuclear-code/

This guy seems to have all the answers - really a brilliant mind...can’t say much for his knowledge of vocabulary tho’ he has the profanity down pat. “shame”, “shameful”, “shamed” - which is it?

So he doesn’t like having his medications slowed down by the post office? Since he talks to MSNBC, I guess he takes what they say as gospel. Seems like he has lots to gripe about! Maybe he should try some anxiety meds....

https://www.rawstory.com/2020/08/katrina-hero-russell-honore-goes-on-epic-rant-accusing-trump-of-making-america-look-stupid/

Chlorine produciton? Big cloud? Shelter in place? Not likely unless you want to find a bunch of sheltered dead people if that has Chlorine in it?

Unless the chlorine cloud was outside my windows, I am racing out the door to get away.

Which brings up a point - how do we know what poisons might be in a manufacturing facility within a few miles of our homes?

Not too bad in the suburbs, but what about those homes built in and around factories, when long distance travel (even a few miles) was difficult?

Public record in their permits but you have to dig for it.

Horrible to have happen and right after a storm. I cant believe there are some left to fight the fire. Awful. Praying for all.

how do we know what poisons might be in a manufacturing facility within a few miles of our homes?

You can call them and ask them. They're required to tell you, or point you to their public disclosures.

Chlorine is one of the worst... It’s actually not toxic (ie: it won’t immediately kill you) But, it hurts your eyes, takes away your sense of smell and taste, and can actually burn your lungs if you get enough.

Plus, it’s heavier than air, so it doesn’t easily disburse. Which means, it can affect a large area.

One think I do is keep a list of the UN/NA hazardous materials codes on my phone. There is always a little sign with a 4-digit number on the tank or trailer of hazardous materials. If you have the list, you can look it up. I even make a game of looking for them when we are traveling. Example: 1613 is hydrocyanic acid. I see tank trailers full of that stuff on the interstates in my area all the time.

Sometimes, you can see the UN placard on the tank on television news coverage. Again, a reason to have this list on a phone or computer.

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET ASHTA Chemicals Inc. P.O. Box 858 Ashtabula, OH 44004 (440) 997-5221 CHLORINE LIQUID CHEMTREC:(800) 424-9300 ════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ SECTION I MATERIAL IDENTIFICATION ════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ CHEMICAL NAME: TRADE NAME: SYNONYMS: CHEMICAL FORMULA: CHEMICAL FAMILY: N.F.P.A. REGISTRY: LABELING: Chlorine 7782-50-5 Chlorine, Compressed Chlorine Liquid Chlorine Cl2 Halogen 3-0-0-OXY Poison gas, corrosive 1% UN 1017 Chlorine 2.3 C.A.S. NO.: FIFRA: #21139-1 SARA 312/313: Yes CERCLA: Yes TSCA INVENTORY: Yes HMIS: 3-0-0-G REPORTABLE QUANTITY: 10 Lbs. OSHA PSM: 1500 lbs ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ WHMIS: D.O.T. IDENTIFICATION NO.: D.O.T. SHIPPING NAME: D.O.T. HAZARD CLASS: ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ SECTION II INGREDIENTS AND HAZARDS PRINCIPAL COMPONENT: HAZARDOUS MIXTURES OF OTHER LIQUIDS, SOLIDS OR GASES: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Chlorine PERCENT: Essentially 100% Chlorine is one of the chemical elements. This substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation and is corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Serious cases may be fatal. ACGIH TLV = 0.5 PPM (TWA), 1 PPM STEL OSHA PEL = 1 PPM ════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ SECTION III PHYSICAL DATA ════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ BOILING POINT: SPECIFIC GRAVITY (H2O=1): VAPOR PRESSURE (PSIG): APPEARANCE/ODOR: -29.3°F or -34.0°C pH: Non-aqueous Liquid At 0°C = 1.467 At 70°F = 85.3 VAPOR DENSITY (Air = 1): 2.49 Gas is greenish yellow, liquid is amber. Odor is suffocating, pungent, irritating. 100% Contingent on rate of heat absorption. (About 0.7%) -149.8°F or -101°C PERCENT VOLATILE BY VOLUME: EVAPORATION RATE: SOLUBILITY IN WATER: FREEZE/SOLIDIFICATION TEMP: ════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ SECTION IV FIRE AND EXPLOSION DATA ════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ FLASH POINT (METHOD): EXTINGUISHING MEDIA: AUTO IGNITION TEMP: SPECIAL FIRE FIGHTING PROCEDURES: UNUSUAL FIRE/EXPLOSION HAZARDS: None. Suitable for surrounding fire. Non-combustible. Remove containers from fire zone if possible, except if chlorine is leaking. In presence of chlorine use self contained breathing apparatus and fire fighter turnout clothing. Many metals ignite in the presence of chlorine, for example, steel at about 485°F, titanium on contact with dry chlorine. It may react to cause fire and/or explosion on contact with organics like turpentine, penetrating oil, etc. Also with ether, ammonia, hydrocarbons, and fine particles of metals. 1 D.O.T. LISTED:Marine Pollutant D.O.T. HAZARD GUIDE: #124 PLACARD: UN 1017 ════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ SECTION IV FIRE AND EXPLOSION DATA, cont’d ════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Many reactions may cause fire (possibly with explosion). Avoid contact with combustibles, in particular hydrogen, acetylene, light organics and ammonia. Chlorine cylinders and ton containers are equipped with fusible plugs that melt at about 158°F. ════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ SECTION V HEALTH HAZARD DATA ════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ OSHA PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE LIMIT: ACGIH THRESHOLD LIMIT VALUE: IARC/NTP CARCINOGEN: MUTAGENIC: TERATOGENIC: REPRODUCTIVE TOXICITY: MEDICAL CONDITION(S) AGGRAVATED BY EXPOSURE: PRIMARY ROUTES OF EXPOSURE: TARGET ORGANS: EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE : INHALATION: SKIN: EYES: INGESTION: EMERGENCY FIRST AID: INHALATION: SKIN: EYES: INGESTION: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: ( C ) 1 PPM 0.5 PPM (8 Hour TWA) Not listed. Not reported. Not reported. Studies show no effects on rats and rabbits exposed to chlorine. Emphysema, bronchitis, asthma and other respiratory diseases. Inhalation, skin. Respiratory system. Symptoms vary from mild irritation with coughing and labored breathing to possible death from suffocation. Liquid and gas are capable of causing a burn. Liquid and gas are capable of causing a burn. Not likely a problem because it is a gas at room temperature. Remove from contaminated area. If breathing has ceased, start artificial respiration at once. Obtain medical assistance. Remove contaminated clothing under shower. Immediate flush with water at least 15 minutes. Use no oils or chemical neutralizers. Obtain medical assistance promptly. Not a likely occurrence. Vomiting should be induced. One study which involved exposures to humans to 0.5 PPM for 8 hours and 1.0 PPM for 4 hours caused transient decreased pulmonary capacity as measured by pulmonary function tests. ════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ SECTION VI REACTIVITY DATA ════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ STABILITY:. CONDITIONS TO AVOID: INCOMPATIBILITY: Stable under normal conditions. Moisture in chlorine handling systems. Excessive heat or fire in storage areas, above 485°F. Chlorine reacts as an oxidizer with most organic materials (except those fully halogenated) at room temperature. It reacts with many metals at elevated temperatures. Dry chlorine will react with titanium and aluminum. Wet chlorine is corrosive to most metals except titanium. HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS: Cannot decompose. POLYMERIZATION: CONDITIONS TO AVOID: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ Will not polymerize. Wet chlorine contact with most metals (except titanium). Handle chlorine with full regard to its pressure characteristics. SECTION VII ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROCEDURES ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ SPILL RESPONSE: Follow preplanned emergency procedures. Only properly equipped, trained, functional personnel should attempt to contain a leak. All other personnel should be evacuated from the danger area. Using full protective equipment, apply emergency kit device or other securement technology to stop the leak. Report spills as required to appropriate government authorities. For assistance call Chemtrec (800) 424-9300 or supplier. 2 ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ SECTION VII ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROCEDURES, cont’d ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ WASTE DISPOSAL METHODS: Chlorine gas will disperse to the atmosphere leaving no residue. Neutralizing chemicals are caustic soda solutions, soda ash solutions and lime solutions. PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT: Requires NIOSH approved self-contained breathing apparatus and may require a fully encapsulated suit. ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ SECTION VIII SPECIAL PROTECTION INFORMATION ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ EYE PROTECTION: RESPIRATORY PROTECTION: OTHER PROTECTION: VENTILATION RECOMMENDED: GLOVE TYPE RECOMMENDED: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Splash goggles or full face gas mask. NIOSH- approved acid gas chemical cartridge respirator or full face with canister - within allowable limits. For unknown concentrations use approved self-contained breathing apparatus. For exposure to high concentrations of liquid chlorine full body protection (chemical suit) is required. In the open and/or fire situations, fireman's turn- out clothing is recommended. In light concentrations, one piece tyvek suit sealed at the neck, wrists, and ankles is functional. Sufficient to control below TLV or PEL. Chlorine will collect at the floor or ground level. Exhaust systems must be designed accordingly. Absorption or scrubber systems are recommended. Non-porous, i.e. neoprene, butyl or viton. Do not attempt to handle chlorine without previous training in respiratory equipment for toxic gases. ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ SECTION IX SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ HYGIENIC PRACTICES IN HANDLING AND STORING: PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN FOR HANDLING AND STORING: PRECAUTIONS FOR REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF CONTAMINATED EQUIPMENT: OTHER PRECAUTIONS: Avoid inhalation of vapors and body contact as body moisture will form a weak acid. Do not attempt to handle, store, or use chlorine without complete review of the Chlorine Institute's chlorine manual or formal training. Chlorine systems and support systems must be kept free of organics, clean, dry (free of moisture) and protected from fire. Proper selection of materials of construction of a chlorine system is critical to safety. Purge free of chlorine. Obtain medical assistance promptly after exposure. Preplanning for emergencies and training of personnel is essential to safe handling. ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ SECTION X TRANSPORTATION ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ USUAL SHIPPING CONTAINERS: USUAL SHELF LIFE: STORAGE/TRANSPORT TEMPS: SUITABLE STORAGE MATERIALS/COATINGS: UNSUITABLE: OTHER INFORMATION: Steel tank cars, tank trucks, ton containers, 100 and 150 pound cylinders. Unlimited. Ambient. Steel. Titanium, chrome, aluminum and reactive metals. To activate a Chlorine Emergency Response Team, call Chemtrec 800-424-9300. 3 ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ SECTION XI ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ CHRONIC TOXICITY: Chlorine is shipped as a dry compressed gas in steel containers. Local heating of this equipment (above 485 F) can result in a chlorine-iron fire from the inside of the container, resulting in sudden release of contents. To assist exposure victims, avoid further exposure by removal of saturated clothing and protection of the respiratory system by continuous supply of air or oxygen by mask. Keep patient half upright and warm. Get prompt medical attention. There is no known antidote for chlorine, however, inhalation of moisture with fresh air as from a household vaporizer expedites recovery for inhalation victims. Rhesus monkeys exposed to concentrations to 2 PPM for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week for one year did not exhibit any signs of chronic toxicity. REVIEWED: 04/09 SUPERSEDES: 03/06 11/03 (No changes made) (No changes made) (Added WHMIS percentage, OSHA PSM Threshold Quantity) THIS INFORMATION IS DRAWN FROM RECOGNIZED SOURCES BELIEVED TO BE RELIABLE. ASHTA Chemicals Inc. MAKES NO GUARANTEES OR ASSUMES ANY LIABILITY IN CONNECTION WITH THIS INFORMATION. THE USER SHOULD BE AWARE OF CHANGING TECHNOLOGY, RESEARCH, REGULATIONS, AND ANALYTICAL PROCEDURES THAT MAY REQUIRE CHANGES HEREIN. THE ABOVE DATA IS SUPPLIED UPON THE CONDITION THAT PERSONS WILL EVALUATE THIS INFORMATION AND THEN DETERMINE ITS SUITABILITY FOR THEIR USE. ONLY U.S.A. REGULATIONS APPLY TO THE ABOVE. 4

Good information..

Regarding affects, they should have called me. My list comes from very personal experiences. :-)

I couldn’t even taste Mom’s chocolate pie! But, I got better. Only took a day or two.

Having had exposure to CL2 during a 1 Ton Tank change at the 1st Water Plant I worked at I can tell Y’all Nobody exposed to CL2 is going to have it happen again.

Even the slightest bit of contact will cause All Mucus Membranes to try to Drown You. In addition to the stinging and burning of any exposure is just the most of effects it stinks, makes You wonder if you will ever be able too breathe again.

I was exposed to just a tiny amount for just a few seconds in an outdoor storage area so I was able to get myself to fresh air immediately and I still had problems breathing for a few Days. My exposer was just a spritz about like a Perfume Spray Misting.

I never went into a CL2 Zone without a Face Mask with the right Filter inserts. If I was in any kind of an enclosed area I would only do it with a Full Respirator and O2 Tank or what is called an SCBA.

WWI it was called Mustard Gas because of the Greenish Yellow Cloud.

I was working in a maintenance crew at Dow Chemical in Freeport, as a summer job while getting my ChemE degree. It was a Chlorine plant (CL3). I had just taken the head off a side entry to a Cl2 scrubber, and decided to stick my head in to get a look at the packing.

All was fine until I took a breath. UGH!

I pulled my head out, and immediately barfed over the rail (30 ft in the air). It was awful.

I agree... if you’ve ever been exposed, you’ll try hard to avoid a repeat.

nasty stuff

Honore is the embodiment of both the Peter Principle and the folly of affirmative action. He probably topped at most as a battalion co.

That is just admirably anal.

I keep things like that in my Engineering Reference File.

I see the wind has shifted and we are on the clean side up here by Fort Smith. No rain for us! Things are getting that worn out from summer look now.

Same here.