Toxic Substances

• Sulfuric Acid Spill in Raleigh

  Shannon Weidemann | June 28, 2007 3:14 PM | 0 CommentsCharlotte, NC

  A sulfuric acid spill at Mallinckrodt Chemical in Raleigh forced the evacuation of the building and the Hazmat team was brought in. The hazardous substance leaked from a storage tank into a containment basin. The accident happened this morning at the plant on Capital Boulevard. Officials say the leak, which was reported about 7:30 a.m., is confined to the company's property and initially...

• Toxic Toys Made in China are Recalled

  Shannon Weidemann | June 19, 2007 2:21 PM | 0 CommentsCharlotte, NC

  The recent recall of Thomas the Tank Engine toys for containing lead paint has joined a long string of recalls of toys and other products made in China. Lead is a toxic substance that can cause brain damage. 24 kinds of toys have been recalled so far this year, every one of them made in China. Over all, the number of products made in China that are being recalled in the United States by the...

• Compact Fluorescent Bulbs Contain Mercury

  Shannon Weidemann | May 10, 2007 10:35 PM | 0 CommentsCharlotte, NC

  Many people are replacing their incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) in order to reduce energy consumption and help save the environment. What many people don't know is that CFLs contain a small amount of mercury and need special treatment. Mercury is a hazardous substance and you should limit your exposure to it.When one lamp is broken, the best thing to do is to...

• Apex Environmental Quality Lawsuit Filed

  Staff Writer | October 09, 2006 5:25 PM | 0 CommentsCharlotte, NC

  What is believed to be the first lawsuit against Environmental Quality in the wake of the chemical fire at the Apex, NC plant was filed Friday before the plaintiffs even returned to their home. The hazardous waste plant caught on fire Thursday night and forced over half of the cities residents to evacuate."To look out and see flames in my backyard, it scared me to death. It was repeated, boom,...

• Thousands Evacuated in Apex Chemical Fire

  Staff Writer | October 06, 2006 10:42 AM | 0 CommentsCharlotte, NC

  More than 16,000 people who live in Apex, NC have been evacuated from their homes after a chemical fire caused explosions and blew poisonous gasses (including chlorine) and black smoke over much of the town. The incident occurred at an EQ Industrial Services hazardous waste plant. There have already been reports of over 100 nursing home residents and around 10 emergency responders being taken to...