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Archive for November 18, 2006

MOLTEN SULFUR SPILL CLOSES HIGHWAY 4 IN BRENTWOOD

11/18/06 6:20 PST

BRENTWOOD (BCN)

[California] State Highway 4 has been closed in both directions in Brentwood after a truck carrying molten sulfur spilled part of its contents around 12:30 p.m. today, according to Brentwood Police Lt. Kevin King.

The two-lane highway, called Brentwood Boulevard within the city, is closed between Havenwood Avenue and Sunset Road, according to King.

Police expect the roadway to remain closed until at least 8 p.m., King reported.

The truck spilled “a small amount of product” onto the roadway, and while the substance isn’t dangerous in itself, the high temperature of the chemical makes it a hazard.

“It’s really, really hot, it’ll take a few more hours for it to solidify, crystallize,” King said.

The molten sulfur is carried in an insulated container within the truck at 300 degrees, King said.

However, the substance is contained and crews are working on getting it off the roadway, according to King. (Source: Bay City Newswire)
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Note by folc.ca: That “the substance isn’t dangerous in itself” is a seriously misleading statement. Certainly, sulphur by itself is not that dangerous, but it is irresponsible of anyone to state that sulphur isn’t dangerous by itself. Sulphur readily breaks down and reacts with other elements in the environment to produce a large range of chemical substances that pose a variety of serious health risks, some of which are extremely dangerous and even absolutely deadly.
Of particular concern should be the risk rating for liquid sulphur: WHMIS Class D - Division 1: Subdivision A: Very Toxic Material. Ask yourself how it can be that a substance that is rated as being very toxic can possibly be not dangerous.
(More information at Sulphur Poisoning)

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