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THE PICTURE OF LOCKPORT
Aluminum Chloride. A corrosive solid that reacts violently with water to form toxic and corrosive fumes. When a truck carrying a 35,000 pound shipment of the chemical manufactured at a unit of the VanDeMark Group at Lockport, overturned at Erie, PA, Interstate 90 was closed in both directions for two days.
Chlorine gas. A highly posionous, irritating, and corrosive gas. Has history as a military war gas. Used to make other chemicals and disinfect. Release of the gas at the VanDeMark Chemical complex in Lockport, NY in March 1998 triggered a school evacuation. There was another release in October 1998.
Diethylamine. A flammable, corrosive liquid involved in an accident at VanChem in Lockport, NY in June 1997. Five injured.
Ethyl Acetate. A flammable, toxic liquid spilled in large quantity at VanChem in Lockport, NY in June of 1997.
Aluminum chloride is in the news after a truck transporting about 35,000 pounds of the chemical manufactured by the VanDeMark Group in Lockport, NY overturned on Interstate 90 at Erie, PA on May 7, 1998. Some of the toxic chemical spilled and HazMat crews worked for several days on the clean-up operation. Interstate 90 was closed in both directions at Erie for two days causing massive traffic problems.
Aluminum chloride reacts explosively with water. The National Safety Council further states it will react with water or steam to produce heat and toxic and corrosive fumes. Safety officials responding to the May 7th spill of anhydrous (without water) aluminum chloride at Erie, PA declared the chemical as "one of the bad ones." The North American Emergency Response Guidebook calls it "extremely hazardous." When it reacts with water, suffocating fumes of hydrogen chloride (heavier than air) are given off which can attack body tissue especially eyes, mouth, nose, and lungs. The solid white or yellowish crystals will burn skin even when dry since it will react with skin moisture.
There are about a dozen manufacturers of aluminum chloride in the United States including The VanDeMark Group's "VanChlor" in Lockport, NY. Aluminum chloride is produced commercially by reacting dry chlorine gas (or, in some cases, hydrogen chloride) on aluminum metal under controlled conditions at temperatures above about 300-degrees F. It is a dangerous process. Another process involves the reduction of an aluminum ore, chlorination of the product and then condensation of the quite pure aluminum chloride.
Aluminum chloride is used in many industrial and laboratory applications. It has high demand for use as a catalyst in organic reactions and in some metallurgical applications. A mild variation of the chemical finds it way into the manufacture of some astringents. It finds use in the production of rubber, lubricants, wood preservatives, pharmaceuticals, and paints.
Once water is allowed to reach aluminum chloride toxic, corrosive gas will be generated. Thus, much of the concern is a spill situation is to keep water away from the chemical. Once water, even rain, is allowed to contact aluminum chloride, those without special protective clothing and air supply should flee the area.
Once gas is generated population downwind should be evacuated for two to four miles depending on the size of the release. Other directions should be evacuated 600 to 1200 feet. Those not properly protected should stay away at least 150 feet from even a dry spill. In situations of high humidity, enough water may be in the air to produce toxic vapors from the solid chemical.
May 9, 1998
Chlorine gas is in the news after a release of the gas at the VanDeMark Chemical complex in Lockport, NY on March 12, 1998. (There was another release in October 1998.) Chlorine is used by VanDeMark to make the poison gas, phosgene, which it manufactures in Lockport. In the March 12th incident, liquid chlorine (under pressure) was reported released from a railroad tank car after the rail car was moved along a siding without disconnecting pipes between the car and the VanDeMark plant. The pipe seal broke and liquid chlorine was released. It immediately vaporized. HazMat teams were called in and there was an emergency evacuation of a nearby elementary school.
Chlorine is a Highly Poisonous, Corrosive, and Reactive Gas.
Its History Includes Use As A Military War Gas
Chlorine is heavier than air. Its weight is more than twice that of
air. This means that it will accumulate in low-lying areas unless there is a good wind.
Chlorine has a sharp, irritating and penetrating odor. On exposure, human
tissue (eyes, nose, lungs, skin) will experience severe burning. Humans detect
(irritation) as little as 1 to 3 parts-per-million of chlorine in the air. At 30
parts-per-million major pain is experienced with cough. At 430 parts-per-million death
results in as little as 30-minutes. At 1,000 parts-per-million (0.1%) death results in
just a few minutes. Chlorine gas will combine with water in the air to form vapors of
Hydrochloric Acid and liberate nascent oxygen---both of which will attack tissue.
Chlorine has a distinctive green-yellow color. However, the color may not appear when
diluted in air unless substantially over lethal concentrations are present. Additionally,
gas being released from tanks under pressure will chill the air, perhaps causing white
mist or fog. Exposure to chlorine is first revealed by respiratory duress.
Common Uses and Applications
Chlorine is the ninth highest volume chemical produced in the United States. It has many applications. Most applications are at chemical manufacturing plants where chlorine is used in the manufacture of other chemicals. A major use for chlorine is to treat water (disinfect it). Tanks of chlorine are often at both wastewater treatment plants and municipal water supply treatment and intake facilities.
First Response To A Chlorine Gas Release
Those not especially trained and employed by the chlorine gas user should promptly evacuate the area as soon as the respiratory irritation is experienced. If the source is known and it is practical to do so without getting closer to the source, attempt to flee upwind from the gas release source. If it is practical to do so without getting closer to the source, attempt to flee to higher ground, especially if it is upwind from the release site. If there is little wind, the chlorine gas will tend to move, or stay, in low areas. Another option is to go inside a building and close off all outside air intakes and call emergency services on the telephone. However, evacuation is advised for 3 miles downwind of a small chlorine release, 5 miles downwind for a major release, and anywhere within 1500 feet of the source. The best defense is a gas mask with independent air supply and special fully encapsulating, vapor-protective clothing. (fire suits used by firefighters for structural fires are not adequate.)
For more detailed background on this chemical check the chlorine gas backgrounder of the
National Safety Council.
March 30, 1998
Diethylamine is in the news as a result of another accident at VanChem, a part of the VanDeMark Group of chemical companies at Lockport, NY. When the chemical was released to the environment due to a "faulty valve" four workers were taken to the hospital. A policeman responding to the scene was reportly overcome by the irritating gas fumes but did not require hospitalization. A safety officer for the company told the news media "less than a pound" of the diethylamine escaped.
Uses and applications: Has wide variety of uses including as an intermediate in the manufacture of other organic chemicals. Uses are found in dyes, flotation agents, resins, polymerization inhibitors, rubber chemicals, pesticides, and as a solvent.
Characteristics and hazards: Is a colorless liquid with an ammoniacal odor. It has corrosive alkaline characteristics and is considered a dangerous fire risk (highly flammable). It is toxic by ingestion and a strong irritant to nasal passages and eyes. The "Threshold Limit Value (TLV) or the limit that a worker should be exposed to on a daily basis is 10 parts-per-million in air.
Disposal considerations: Do-it-yourself treatment for disposal is not recommended. Call Allegheny Environmental for proper and safe disposal using incineration processes. Untreated disposal by any means is illegal.
Ethyl Acetate is in the news because of a reported 300+ gallon spill of the flammable solvent at VanChem, a part of the VanDeMark Group of chemical companies at Lockport, NY. A safety spokesman for the company blamed the release on a "faulty valve." The flammable liquid gushed out of a portable tank when, firemen who responded said, the value just "fell apart." Firemen say the liquid flowed over the ground and then entered the sewer system.
Uses and applications: Ethyl acetate is a low-cost, highly effective solvent. It is often used to clean out chemical reaction tanks. It is extensively used in the manufacture of other organic chemicals, the manufacture of "smokeless powders", coatings, and plastics.
Characteristics and hazards: The liquid is colorless with a fragrant odor. It is toxic by inhalation and skin absorption and is an irritant to eyes and skin. It is so highly flammable it can be explosive especially when the vapor is in the range of 2 to 9% in air. It is considered a dangerous fire risk. The threshold limit value (TLV) that a worker should be exposed to a a daily basis is 400 part-per-million in air.
Disposal considerations: Because of its highly flammable nature, and the danger of explosion, ethyl acetate disposal of ethyl acetate waste or material contaminated with ethyl acetate should not be attempted as a do-it-yourself project. Call Allegheny Environmental Services, Inc. for safe and proper disposal through incineration and/or recycling. Allegheny removes ethyl acetate waste in all conditions and sizes...from one-ounce bottles in labs to tanker load shipments. Untreated disposal is illegal and, when flushed down a sewer, can lead to sewer explosions.
Lead Hazard Information. Lead-based paint is in the news because of new federal regulations regarding sale or lease of most residential dwellings built before 1978. The regulations become effective December 6th 1997. Our report includes links to related information both at and away from this site.
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