Explosion at chemical plant in Valley Center Kansas - Evacuating Town (I worked there 20 years ago)

[Danieljay]

http://www.ksn.com/

I just got an email from my sister, saying Barton Solvents experienced an explosion and they are evacuating the town. I used to work at that hole when I was 18. They would literally have me spraying hazardous waste as weed killer around the periphery of the property. I'm talking by the 55 gallon drum full, dozens (mek, toluol, perc, used paint thinners, methylene chloride, stod, etc). They told us it was legal and safe. Water table in that area is about 10 feet down. the company that was there before Barton Solvents, DRUMCO, was blamed for any problems.

I hope everyone is ok in my small conservative hometown.

I saw the light and moved to Oregon 5 years ago.

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. Here is an article from the KC paper

http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/193007.html

[Viva_La_Revolution]

2. translation of the last sentence in your link...

"Joe Blubaugh, a spokesman for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said the agency was monitoring the fire."


translation:
"We're just watchin the sucker burn, cause their ain't a damn thing we can do about it anyway."


Our 'barn' (really a quonset hut used as a shop, no critters) caught fire when I was a kid. My most vivid memory of it is hearing the 50 gallon drums explode and watching the debris fly. The firefighters kicked back and watched with us, they were volunteers and this was far above their skill to fight. No other buildings were in danger then though, I can't imagine something 5X as large in the middle of a city. :scared:

[fed-up]

3. speaking of chemical burns-anybody want to help me find a pic of what a small phosphorus burn

would look like

I am the non-proud owner of an undisclosed former meth lab and may have inadvertantly stepped in an area of my yard where meth waste was disposed.

I have what appear to be chemical burns to my left foot on my toes. The free clinic I went to did not have a dermatologist and the staff doc could only say contact dermatitis. I have NO money for a specialist.

I have searched all over for what a pic of a small chemical burn would look like but have had no luck.

There is no poison oak in the area and it is definitely not a bug bite.

I am thinking phosphorus (red phosphorus method was used) may be the chemical residue involved here.

Any help would be great.