MEC&F Expert Engineers : 11/16/14

Sunday, November 16, 2014

PIPELINE REPLACEMENT UPDATES FROM THE UNITED STATES PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION




PIPELINE REPLACEMENT UPDATES FROM THE UNITED STATES PHMSA



Background
Aging pipelines
In January 2012, President Obama signed the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011, which examines and improves existing pipeline safety regulations and provides the regulatory certainty necessary for pipeline owners and operators to plan infrastructure investments and create jobs.
Pipeline transportation is one of the safest and most cost-effective ways to transport natural gas and hazardous liquid products. As America continues to develop and place more demands on energy transportation, it becomes more necessary to invest in upgrading its infrastructure, including aging pipelines. To follow State's progress in pipeline infrastructure upgrades, or to obtain contact information and incident and mileage data, visit PHMSA’s state pipeline profiles.
In 2011, following major tragic natural gas incidents, DOT and PHMSA issued a Call to Action to accelerate the repair, rehabilitation, and replacement of the highest-risk pipeline infrastructure. Among other factors, pipeline age and material are significant risk indicators. Pipelines constructed of cast and wrought iron, as well as bare steel, are among those that pose the highest-risk.
Reports
To illustrate the progress pipeline operators are making in the replacement of aging gas pipelines, PHMSA provides an annually-updated online inventory of high-risk pipeline infrastructure by state. Specifically, the dynamic inventory highlights efforts to replace iron and bare steel gas distribution pipelines. and shows trends in pipeline miles by decade of installation.
About Cast and Wrought Iron Pipelines
Cast and wrought iron pipelines are among the oldest energy pipelines constructed in the United States. Many of these pipelines were installed over 60 years ago and still deliver natural gas to homes and businesses today. However, the degrading nature of iron alloys, the age of the pipelines, and pipe joints design have greatly increased the risk involved with continued use of such pipelines.
The Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011 calls for DOT to conduct a state-by-state survey on the progress of cast iron pipeline replacement. For updates on the states’ progress, contact information and incident and mileage data, the public should visit PHMSA’s state pipeline profiles.
The amount of cast and wrought iron pipeline in use has declined significantly in recent years, thanks to increased state and federal safety initiatives and pipeline operators’ replacement efforts.
Sixteen states have completely eliminated cast or wrought iron natural gas distribution lines within their borders, Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Approximately 97 percent of natural gas distribution pipelines in the U.S. were made of plastic or steel at the end of 2012. The remaining 3 percent is mostly iron pipe.
About Bare Steel Pipelines
Uncoated steel pipelines are known as bare steel pipelines and while many of these pipelines have been taken out of service, some of these pipelines are still operating today. The age and lack of protective coating typically makes bare steel pipelines of higher risk as compared to some other pipelines and candidates for accelerated replacement programs.
About Decade Installed
From the early 1900’s through today, the integrity of energy pipelines have all benefited from improvements in pipe manufacturing, pipe materials, construction methods, and maintenance practices. 

Recent Incidents Involving Cast Iron Pipelines
Even though the amount of cast iron pipelines is declining, there have been a number of recent incidents caused by cast iron gas distribution main failures, resurging attention to the risks associated with cast and wrought iron pipelines.
January 9, 2012 – A home exploded on Payne Ave in Austin, Texas, resulting in one fatality and one injury. The leak originated at a break in a four-inch cast iron gas main installed in 1950. The cast iron main break occurred after rainfall that followed extended drought conditions.
February 9, 2011 – A tragic explosion occurred on North 13th Street in Allentown, Pa. Local emergency responders worked to limit the spread of the fire while the operator cut through reinforced concrete to access the gas main. A preliminary investigation found a crack in a 12-inch cast iron main that was installed in 1928 and was operating at less than 1 psig at the time of incident. As a result of the explosion and ensuing fire, five people lost their lives, three people required in-patient hospitalization, and eight homes were destroyed.
January 18, 2011 – An explosion and fire caused the death of one gas utility employee and injuries to several others while gas utility crews were responding to a natural gas leak in Philadelphia, Pa. A preliminary investigation found a circumferential break on a 12-inch cast iron distribution main that was installed in 1942 and was operating at 17 psig.
Incident and Consequence Analysis
PHMSA regulations require gas distribution operators to submit incident reports when a leak causes an injury or fatality, property damage in excess of $50,000, or the unintentional release of more than three million standard cubic feet of gas. Gas distribution incident reports (excluding those caused by leaks beyond the customer meter) for 2005 through 2013 show the following:
10.5 percent of the incidents occurring on gas distribution mains involved cast iron mains. However, only 2.5 percent of distribution mains are cast iron.
In proportion to overall cast iron main mileage, the frequency of incidents on mains made of cast iron is more than four times that of mains made of other materials.
38 percent of the cast/wrought iron main incidents caused a fatality or injury, compared to only 20 percent of the incidents on other types of mains.
12 percent of all fatalities and 8 percent of all injuries on gas distribution facilities involved cast or wrought iron pipelines.
What Causes Iron Pipe Leaks?
The biggest threat to cast or wrought iron pipe is earth movement. If these pipelines are disturbed by digging, seasonal frost heave, or changes in ground water levels, leakage may occur. 
Another serious threat called graphitization is a natural process in which iron degrades to softer elements, making iron pipelines more susceptible to cracking. The extent of graphitization depends on many factors, but gas may leak from the joints or through cracks in the pipe if graphitization has occurred.
When leaks occur on low-pressure systems with cast or wrought iron distribution lines, the volume of gas escaping through the failure point is much less than what might escape through the same size failure in a system operating at higher pressures. However, even a relatively small volume of natural gas leakage can have catastrophic consequences.
History
Cast and wrought iron pipelines were originally constructed to transport manufactured gas beginning in the 1870s and 1880s, with cast iron becoming more popular in the early 1900s.
In 1970 PHMSA began collecting data about gas pipelines mileage categorized by pipe material type. In 1983, gas distribution pipeline operators reported 61,536 miles of cast iron and 4,371 miles of wrought iron pipe. Operators began submitting merged data for the two beginning in 1984.
Wrought iron pipelines were joined end-to-end using either threaded or compression couplings, while cast iron pipelines were linked using bell and spigot joints with packing material stuffed in the bell to form a gas tight seal. Since these pipelines transported wet, manufactured gas, the packing material absorbed moisture and generally did not leak.
As dry, natural gas began supplanting manufactured gas use in the mid-20th century, the packing material sealing the joints dried out, causing leaks. A variety of clamping and encapsulation techniques have been implemented over the years to repair the joints.
Distribution Integrity Management Programs
In late 2009, PHMSA implemented pipeline safety regulations for managing the integrity of gas distribution pipelines. Operators were required to create and implement Distribution Integrity Management Programs (DIMP) by August 2011. Operators are required to know the specific characteristics of their system and operating environment to identify threats, evaluate the risk, and take measures to reduce the risk.
Specifically for cast/wrought iron, operators must have knowledge of the specific characteristics of the pipe and environments where graphitization could be severe.  Evaluating past leak history and monitoring cast/wrought iron pipe during excavations are also key components of maintaining integrity.
National Transportation Safety Board Recommendations
The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent federal agency that conducts investigations to determine the probable causes of transportation accidents.
In 1986, the NTSB investigated an explosion at a restaurant in Derby, Conn., that killed six people and injured 12. The NTSB issued recommendations for corrective action only to the pipeline operator. In 1990, a natural gas explosion and fire killed one person, injured nine, destroyed two homes, and damaged two adjacent houses in Allentown, Pa. The NTSB report found that a water main leak eroded support under a 4-inch cast iron gas main. This ground disturbance results in a circumferential crack in the gas main. Natural gas migrated through the soil and into the basement of one of the homes where it ignited, exploded, and burned.  The cast iron gas main was significantly weakened by graphitization.
In 1991, the NTSB recommended that PHMSA – then called the Research and Special Projects Agency – require pipeline operators to implement a program to identify and replace cast iron pipelines that may threaten public safety.  PHMSA issued two Advisory Bulletins related to cast iron replacement programs.
RSPA Alert Notice 91-02    Encourages operators to develop procedures to identify segments of cast iron pipe that may need replacement.  Reminds operators that pipeline safety regulations require generally graphitized cast iron pipe to be replaced and protect excavated cast iron pipe from damage.
RSPA Alert Notice 92-02    Reminds operators that pipeline safety regulations require operators to have a procedure for continuing surveillance of pipeline facilities to identify problems and take appropriate action concerning failures, leakage history, corrosion, and other unusual operating and maintenance conditions.  This procedure should also include surveillance of cast iron to identify problems and take appropriate action concerning graphitization.

Cast and Wrought Iron Inventory

Reports
The inventory opens in a new window and contains three reports about each state with cast or wrought iron pipe.
 
In the first report , you can rank states by either gas distribution main miles or service line counts. Distribution mains are natural gas distribution pipelines that serve as a common source of supply for more than one service line. Service lines are the pipelines that transport gas to a customer’s meter or piping. The table is initially sorted by the number of miles of cast or wrought iron gas distribution main, but can be sorted by any of the columns.
The second report shows the change in main miles and service line counts over the years. Nationally, iron distribution main mileage has decreased by nearly 24 percent from 2004 to 2013 . The number of cast or wrought iron service lines has decreased by nearly 73 percent over the same time period. The third report shows data for each operator reporting iron pipelines since 2004.
All of the reports can be limited to a single state by using the state prompt at the top. Any state not included in the drop-down either never had cast and wrought gas distribution pipelines or all were removed before 2004.


Bare Steel Inventory
Reports
The inventory opens in a new window and contains three reports about each state with bare steel pipe.

In the first report, you can rank states by either gas distribution main miles or service line counts. Distribution mains are natural gas distribution pipelines that serve as a common source of supply for more than one service line. Service lines are the pipelines that transport gas to a customer’s meter or piping. The table is initially sorted by the number of miles of bare steel gas distribution main, but can be sorted by any of the columns.
The second report shows the change in main miles and service line counts over the years. Nationally, bare steel gas distribution main mileage has decreased by nearly 24 percent from 2004 to 2013 . The number of bare steel service lines has decreased by nearly 49 percent over the same time period. The third report shows data for each gas distribution operator reporting bare steel pipelines since 2004.
All of the reports can be limited to a single state by using the state prompt at the top.  Any state not included in the drop-down either never had bare steel gas distribution pipelines or all were removed before 2004.

Background and History
Uncoated steel pipelines are known as bare steel pipelines. While many of these pipelines have been taken out of service, some of these pipelines are still operating safely today. The age and lack of protective coating typically makes bare steel pipelines candidates for accelerated replacement programs.
The lack of protective coating on these lines requires a high level of cathodic protection current for corrosion protection of the pipeline. Surveys used to determine the effectiveness of cathodic protection on bare steel pipelines focus on identifying larger corrosion cells called “hot spots,”  However, small, localized corrosion areas are difficult to identify and can lead to integrity issues.
Bare steel pipe was used extensively in distribution pipelines until the 1960’s, when the availability of plastic pipelines had expanded to natural gas distribution systems.  Until pipeline coatings were required with the establishment of federal mandates in 1971, some transmission and distribution operators, continued to install pipelines without coatings, particularly in dry areas of the country. 
Distribution Integrity Management Programs
Pipeline integrity, refers to a system that is in sound, unimpaired condition  that can safely carry out its function under the conditions and parameters for which it was designed. An integrity management program is a documented set of policies, processes, and procedures that are implemented to ensure the integrity of a pipeline.
Cathodic protection is a method of protecting metallic pipelines from corrosion. Applied cathodic protection and external coating are important components of the pipeline corrosion protection system.
Assessing the integrity of bare steel pipelines is more difficult than for other coated pipelines as the assessment methodology employed must be closely monitored. Magnetic flux leakage is most commonly used to identify areas of metal loss. Corrosion that may exist along bare steel lines could mask some of the magnetic leakage, and cause measurement inaccuracy regarding the depth of metal loss. Inspection tools that make direct measurements, such as ultrasonic metal loss tools, will give better results on bare steel lines. Bare steel pipelines are also difficult to inspect with external corrosion direct assessment (ECDA) because many ECDA tools rely on indications of coating faults or coating conditions which are not applicable to uncoated pipelines.
Bare steel pipelines are a focus for many pipeline replacement and rehabilitation programs that are planned or in place across the country. In areas where pipe replacement by excavation is too cumbersome, bare steel pipe may be inserted with new plastic pipe.  In addition to cathodic protection surveys that identify areas of active corrosion and interference currents, leak detection surveys utilized at an increased frequency beyond minimum federal requirements can identify leaks early as well.



By-Decade Inventory
Reports
The inventory opens in a new window and contains four tabs with information about miles of pipeline by decade of installation.  The first three tabs contain reports for gas distribution, gas transmission, and hazardous liquid pipelines.
The first report on these tabs, shows how the number of miles installed in each decade has changed since 2005.  One bar chart shows the decades before 1970 and a separate chart shows decades after 1970.  The first report also includes a table of the data.  In the second report, you can select a single decade and see the trend line since 2005.  For gas distribution, you can choose to see data for mains or services.  For hazardous liquid, you can select one or more commodities.
The national reduction in pre-1970 pipelines in 2013 compared to 2005 is:
Pipeline Type
% Reduction in pre-1970
% of Total Installed pre-1970
Gas Distribution Main Miles
9.2
37.9
Gas Distribution Service Count
21.8
29.1
Gas Transmission Miles
9.6
57.6
Hazardous Liquid Miles
2.2
50.4
The last tab includes two reports ranking states by miles of pre-1970 pipelines.  The first report is for gas pipelines and the second report is for hazardous liquid.  The reports can be sorted by any of the columns.
Pipeline Practices over the Decades
From the early 1900’s through today gas transmission, hazardous liquid and gas distribution pipelines have all benefited through each decade from improvements in pipe manufacturing, construction, and operational and maintenance (O&M) practices. 
Pipe Manufacturing Process included improvements in steel metallurgy, seam welding techniques, seam non-destructive testing, pipe rolling practices, and quality control through pressure testing and  inspection before the pipe leaves the mill.
Lap welded, hammer welded, low frequency electric resistance (LF-ERW) and flash welded (FW) pipe were all used starting in the early 1900’s.  Pipes manufactured during the post-World War II construction boom that lasted well into the 1960’s were vulnerable to seam quality issues.  Since the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, these seam types are no longer manufactured or installed by pipeline operators.  They have been replaced with high frequency (HF) ERW pipe, submerged arc welded (SAW) or seamless pipe, which all have improved steel and seam properties.
Current manufacturing processes include improved steel rolling practices, non-destructive seam inspection, and pressure testing of the pipe before it leaves the mill.
Since the late 1960’s, the use of plastic pipe in gas distribution pipelines has steadily increased. Some vintages installed between the 1960s and early 1980s have the potential for brittle-like cracking.  The susceptibility is dependent on the resin, pipe processing, and service conditions.
Construction practice improvements have been in field girth welding and non-destructive testing (NDT), pipe coating, pipe bending, use of select backfill, in-place hydrostatic pressure testing and inspection.
Construction practices beginning in the early 1900’s included the use of wrinkle bends, threaded collars, oxy-acetylene welding, backing rings for welding, and non-coated pipe.  Beginning in the 1930’s and 1940’s improved girth welds using shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) , pipe bending practices, usage of pipe coating, and girth weld non-destructive inspection were beginning to be used by most pipeline operators.  The need for pipeline non-destructive testing (NDT) grew very rapidly with the increase of offshore gas and oil exploration in the 1970s.
O&M practice improvement have included usage of cathodic protection for external corrosion mitigation, programs for internal corrosion such as operational  pigging and inhibitor injection programs,  integrity management assessments, smart pigging, remediation of defects found, and right-of-way monitoring that  includes one-call programs.
O&M practices in the early 1900’s through the early 1950’s by some pipeline operators did not include designs for operational pigging, usage of cathodic protection, and sometimes pipe external coatings.  Beginning in the 1950’s usage of full opening valves for pigging, cathodic protection, and external pipe coatings were being used by most pipeline operators. The first smart pig was developed in the 1960s using Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) technology to inspect the bottom portion of the pipeline.  Development of both pipeline pigs for electromagnetic and ultrasonic detection of wall thinning, and X-ray crawlers for weld inspection in long runs of pipe occurred during the 1970s. Pigs and crawlers were the only means of inspecting for erosion, corrosion (internal and external) and other types of defect in buried pipes.  Operator Qualification (OQ) regulation was implemented in 1999 to require that maintenance personnel performing the work on the pipeline were qualified.  A critical improvement to O&M practices was integrity management program requirements to assess the condition of pipelines and remediate defects that compromised pipeline safety.  Learn more about integrity management assessment techniques:
Overall improvements in pipe manufacturing, construction, and O&M practices have been an integral part of the pipeline industry efforts to reduce risk and improve public safety from incidents beginning in the 1900’s through today.   The Gas Code (Part 192) was implemented in 1970 and the Hazardous Liquid Code (Part 195) was implemented in 1979.  Their basis was in the technical standard ASME B31.8. Many states had already adopted ASME B31.8 prior to the federal gas codes. The implementation of these codes has been an integral part in further reducing risks and improving safety through consistent regulations and standards for all pipeline operators.
Pipelines constructed before adoption of federal safety rules in 1970 were allowed a grandfathering exemption for establishing maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP).  This allowed natural gas transmission lines installed before July 1, 1970 to be operated in some cases without having been: pressure tested in the field, higher MAOPs than allowed for new pipelines constructed after implementation of the regulations, and without material records.  Hydrostatic pressure testing can identify latent manufacturing and construction defects.
Eliminating or limiting the grandfather clause could have a significant impact on industry because about 50% of onshore natural gas transmission lines were constructed before 1970.
PHMSA held public a workshop, The Integrity Verification Process, which included discussion of possible removal of parts of the grandfather clause, remediation of pipe with seam integrity issues, and material documentation.

THREE OHIO OIL &GAS EXPLOSIONS, WELL BLOWOUTS OR GAS RELEASES IN TWO WEEKS –TWO WORKERS ARE DEAD AND ANOTHER INJURED



THREE OHIO OIL &GAS EXPLOSIONS, WELL BLOWOUTS OR GAS RELEASES IN TWO WEEKS –TWO WORKERS ARE DEAD AND ANOTHER INJURED




Noble County sheriff identifies dead worker from oil well explosion
November 13, 2014 SUMMERFIELD, Ohio (AP) — Authorities say a worker at an eastern Ohio oil well has died in an explosion at the facility.
Noble County Sheriff Stephen Hannum said in a statement Thursday that 48-year-old Norman Butler of Virginia died in the accident Wednesday afternoon near the CONSOL Energy well pad, about 40 miles north of Marietta.
Authorities say the explosion occurred near an oil well head and caused a fire, which was contained but continued to burn Thursday. Rescuers were also still on the scene late Thursday morning attempting to recover Butler’s body from the site.

A spokeswoman with Blue Racer Midstream, which owns and operates the facility, says all production wells and pipelines at the site have been secured. She says the company will continue to work with authorities to investigate the accident.

Norman Butler, 48, was an electrical contractor working on a pump condensate operated by Blue Racer Midstream.

The pump moves condensate, a toxic liquid that is a byproduct of oil and gas production, from oil and gas wells into pipelines that lead to processing facilities.
Butler would have been testing and calibrating electrical components on the pump, said Bill Strickland, vice president of Buffalo Gap Instrumentation and Electrical, the company that employed Butler.
The explosion was the second major incident in Ohio in two weeks for Blue Racer.
On Oct. 28, a Blue Racer pipeline caught fire in Monroe County, just east of Noble County. The pipeline was carrying natural-gas condensate from eastern Ohio to a natural-gas processing plant in West Virginia.
The October fire burned several acres of woods and forced families from their homes.

Blue Racer is a relatively new company formed by two larger energy companies: Dominion, headquartered in Richmond, Va., and Caiman Energy II, based in Texas.
The company also recently was cited by the Ohio EPA for violating an air-pollution permit in Carroll County after nearby residents complained about odors near one of the company’s facilities. Tests showed higher-than-allowed levels of volatile organic compounds.

Nikoloric, of Blue Racer, said the company was working to resolve the EPA violations.
There have been several other incidents at fracking sites in Ohio this year, including a Jefferson County well that ruptured last month, releasing natural gas and methane into the air and forcing evacuation of nearby homes.
And in June, a fire at a Monroe County well pad caused a spill that stretched 5 miles along a nearby creek and killed more than 70,000 fish and wildlife.



Worker killed in pumping skid accident in Ohio's Noble County
November 13, 2014
A statement today from Blue Racer Midstream:
DALLAS – Nov. 13, 2014 – Late yesterday afternoon at approximately 4:15 p.m. an accident occurred at a condensate pumping skid in Noble County, Ohio that is owned and operated by Blue Racer Midstream (“Blue Racer”). The skid is adjacent to a CONSOL Energy well pad which was not operating at the time of the accident. The accident resulted in the death of an employee of Blue Racer’s electrical contractor. The name of that employee is being withheld pending notification of family members. There were no other injuries to Blue Racer or CONSOL Energy employees or contractors.

The Noble County Sheriff’s office arrived on the scene immediately following the incident along with local fire departments, the Noble County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), and the state Fire Marshall. The site has been secured and all production wells and pipelines have been shut in and secured. Safety is our first concern. With that in mind, we will work closely and diligently with all of the proper authorities as they investigate the accident.
Everyone at Blue Racer Midstream is deeply saddened by this event. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family members and friends that have been affected. We would like to extend our appreciation to Noble County Sheriff, Stephen S. Hannum, and his team, and to local fire departments, the Noble County EMA, and the State Fire Marshall for their rapid response.

MANDATORY EVACUATIONS FOR GAS WELL LEAK - Investigation into gas well incident under way – Jefferson County, Ohio


October 30, 2014
MINGO JUNCTION - Residents were allowed to return to their homes yesterday and an investigation into a malfunction at a gas well near the Mingo Sportsmen's Club off county Road 26 that allowed natural and methane gas to leak into the atmosphere is now under way.  This was a Utica Shale gas well.
Jefferson County 911 Center Director Rob Herrington said the mandatory evacuation, that at one point included residents from approximately 400 homes, was lifted at 6:45 a.m. Wednesday.

"The well head site was secured and the danger has passed," Herrington announced in a press release.
"We initially ordered the evacuation for a two-mile radius surrounding the well head site. That was then cut back when the weather improved last night. We were concerned because we had 94 percent humidity and rain showers that were holding the natural and methane gas close to the ground," explained Herrington.

Herrington said representatives from the Texas-based Boots and Coots International Well Control Inc. were flown in to work on the gas well, "that released millions and millions of cubic feet of gas. The well head was releasing 5,900 pounds per square inch and it was a very dangerous situation.

"There was a concern that the valves at the well head had been sheared off, but the Boots and Coots crew was able to get down in the well and get the valves to work and to get them shut off at 6:45 a.m. today. That's when we released the evacuation order," continued Herrington.
"The Ohio Department of Natural Resources was on the scene today starting its investigation into what exactly happened last night. We aren't sure yet but hope to have a follow-up with the press within the next couple of days," Herrington said.

Heidi Griesmer of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday night, "the Ohio EPA is responding to an incident at an oil and gas well in Jefferson County. The company reported the release to the Agency's 24-hour spill hotline immediately. Ohio EPA is working with local officials and first responders, as well as the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and will be onsite until the incident is under control," noted Griesmer.

"Everyone cooperated last night and I am pretty pleased with the outcome. No one was injured. The law enforcement and fire departments worked very well under the circumstances going door to door to inform the affected residents and get them out of their homes. And the public cooperated with us, which made the job easier," said Herrington.
Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla said Buckeye Local schools were closed Wednesday because of the gas leak.

"We used the Buckeye Local school buses last night to transport the people who had to be evacuated to evacuation centers in Brilliant and Smithfield," he said.
"At one point we had 13 deputies there along with the Wells Township and Smithfield police and firefighters from the Brilliant, Hillndale, Wintersville and Smithfield assisting us with the evacuation. There were a lot of doors to knock on, but everyone did a very good job," said Abdalla.
"There was no fire but there was the risk of an explosion because of the gas being leaked at the site," added Abdalla.
He said the gas leak initially was reported at approximately 7 p.m.
According to Herrington, the well is owned by American Energy Partners of Oklahoma City, with offices in Ohio based in Cambridge.




USA, OH, JEFFERSON CO, OCTOBER 31 2014. MANDATORY EVACUATIONS FOR GAS WELL LEAK HAS BEEN LIFTED UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29 2014, 07:52 AM EDT
The mandatory evacuation in Jefferson County is over at this time. Residents that were forced to leave their home overnight Wednesday due to gas leak along township road 187 can return home. Officials say the well site owned by American Energy Partners is secured at this time and there is no current danger to the public. 

Original Story: A gas well leak is causing major evacuations in Jefferson County. Officials say it happened near Fernwood State Park and the Mingo Sportsmen's Club. The specific location is along Township Road 187 near County Road 26. We're told the call came in around 7:45pm. Officials say residents could hear and smell the gas, which we're told is natural and methane gas. Officials believe that a well head owned by American Energy Partners sheared off.  There is no fire but that is a concern. The Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency has issued a 1 mile radius mandatory evacuation.  Officials have opened up the community center in Brilliant for residents if they need a place to stay.  Residents will be unable to return to the area until the leak is fixed. To do that, a specialized group from Houston is being brought in. Here are the roadways affected by the mandatory evacuation: Township Rd 177 - Cross Creek Township Rd 177A - Cross Creek Browns Hill Rd - Cross Creek Sheep Rock Rd Call United Way at 2-1-1 for information. United Way is providing shelter at the Wells Twp. Senior Center, Smithfield Volunteer Fire Department, and Buckeye North Elementary in Brilliant.

KNOW WHAT YOU BREATHE - AN INTRODUCTION TO INDOOR AIR QUALITY (IAQ)



know what you breathE - An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)




Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors. VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products numbering in the thousands. Examples include: paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials and furnishings, office equipment such as copiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless copy paper, graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent markers, and photographic solutions.

Organic chemicals are widely used as ingredients in household products. Paints, varnishes, and wax all contain organic solvents, as do many cleaning, disinfecting, cosmetic, degreasing, and hobby products. Fuels are made up of organic chemicals. All of these products can release organic compounds while you are using them, and, to some degree, when they are stored.

EPA's Office of Research and Development's "Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) Study" (Volumes I through IV, completed in 1985) found levels of about a dozen common organic pollutants to be 2 to 5 times higher inside homes than outside, regardless of whether the homes were located in rural or highly industrial areas. TEAM studies indicated that while people are using products containing organic chemicals, they can expose themselves and others to very high pollutant levels, and elevated concentrations can persist in the air long after the activity is completed.

Sources
Household products including: paints, paint strippers, and other solvents; wood preservatives; aerosol sprays; cleansers and disinfectants; moth repellents and air fresheners; stored fuels and automotive products; hobby supplies; dry-cleaned clothing.

Health Effects
Eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches, loss of coordination, nausea; damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous system. Some organics can cause cancer in animals; some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans. Key signs or symptoms associated with exposure to VOCs include conjunctival irritation, nose and throat discomfort, headache, allergic skin reaction, dyspnea, declines in serum cholinesterase levels, nausea, emesis, epistaxis, fatigue, dizziness.

The ability of organic chemicals to cause health effects varies greatly from those that are highly toxic, to those with no known health effect. As with other pollutants, the extent and nature of the health effect will depend on many factors including level of exposure and length of time exposed. Eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, and memory impairment are among the immediate symptoms that some people have experienced soon after exposure to some organics. At present, not much is known about what health effects occur from the levels of organics usually found in homes. Many organic compounds are known to cause cancer in animals; some are suspected of causing, or are known to cause, cancer in humans.
Search EPA's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) (a compilation of electronic reports on specific substances found in the environment and their potential to cause human health effects)

EPA's Office of Drinking Water regulations - List of Contaminants and Their MCLs: Organic Chemicals
Review information on VOCs in water sources developed by the U.S. Geology Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program and their Toxic Substances Hydrology Program: Toxic Program Research on VOCs

Levels in Homes
Studies have found that levels of several organics average 2 to 5 times higher indoors than outdoors. During and for several hours immediately after certain activities, such as paint stripping, levels may be 1,000 times background outdoor levels.

Steps to Reduce Exposure
Increase ventilation when using products that emit VOCs. Meet or exceed any label precautions. Do not store opened containers of unused paints and similar materials within the school. Formaldehyde, one of the best known VOCs, is one of the few indoor air pollutants that can be readily measured. Identify, and if possible, remove the source. If not possible to remove, reduce exposure by using a sealant on all exposed surfaces of paneling and other furnishings. Use integrated pest management techniques to reduce the need for pesticides.
Use household products according to manufacturer's directions.
Make sure you provide plenty of fresh air when using these products.
Throw away unused or little-used containers safely; buy in quantities that you will use soon.
Keep out of reach of children and pets.
Never mix household care products unless directed on the label.

Follow label instructions carefully.
Potentially hazardous products often have warnings aimed at reducing exposure of the user. For example, if a label says to use the product in a well-ventilated area, go outdoors or in areas equipped with an exhaust fan to use it. Otherwise, open up windows to provide the maximum amount of outdoor air possible.

Throw away partially full containers of old or unneeded chemicals safely.
Because gases can leak even from closed containers, this single step could help lower concentrations of organic chemicals in your home. (Be sure that materials you decide to keep are stored not only in a well-ventilated area but are also safely out of reach of children.) Do not simply toss these unwanted products in the garbage can. Find out if your local government or any organization in your community sponsors special days for the collection of toxic household wastes. If such days are available, use them to dispose of the unwanted containers safely. If no such collection days are available, think about organizing one.

Buy limited quantities.
If you use products only occasionally or seasonally, such as paints, paint strippers, and kerosene for space heaters or gasoline for lawn mowers, buy only as much as you will use right away.

Keep exposure to emissions from products containing methylene chloride to a minimum.
Consumer products that contain methylene chloride include paint strippers, adhesive removers, and aerosol spray paints. Methylene chloride is known to cause cancer in animals. Also, methylene chloride is converted to carbon monoxide in the body and can cause symptoms associated with exposure to carbon monoxide. Carefully read the labels containing health hazard information and cautions on the proper use of these products. Use products that contain methylene chloride outdoors when possible; use indoors only if the area is well ventilated.

Keep exposure to benzene to a minimum.
Benzene is a known human carcinogen. The main indoor sources of this chemical are environmental tobacco smoke, stored fuels and paint supplies, and automobile emissions in attached garages. Actions that will reduce benzene exposure include eliminating smoking within the home, providing for maximum ventilation during painting, and discarding paint supplies and special fuels that will not be used immediately.

Keep exposure to perchloroethylene emissions from newly dry-cleaned materials to a minimum.
Perchloroethylene is the chemical most widely used in dry cleaning. In laboratory studies, it has been shown to cause cancer in animals. Recent studies indicate that people breathe low levels of this chemical both in homes where dry-cleaned goods are stored and as they wear dry-cleaned clothing. Dry cleaners recapture the perchloroethylene during the dry-cleaning process so they can save money by re-using it, and they remove more of the chemical during the pressing and finishing processes. Some dry cleaners, however, do not remove as much perchloroethylene as possible all of the time. Taking steps to minimize your exposure to this chemical is prudent. If dry-cleaned goods have a strong chemical odor when you pick them up, do not accept them until they have been properly dried. If goods with a chemical odor are returned to you on subsequent visits, try a different dry cleaner.

Standards or Guidelines
No standards have been set for VOCs in non industrial settings. OSHA regulates formaldehyde, a specific VOC, as a carcinogen. OSHA has adopted a Permissible Exposure Level (PEL) of .75 ppm, and an action level of 0.5 ppm. HUD has established a level of .4 ppm for mobile homes. Based upon current information, it is advisable to mitigate formaldehyde that is present at levels higher than 0.1 ppm.



Additional Resources
Indoor Air Fact Sheet No. 4 (revised) - Sick Building Syndrome (PDF) (4 pp., 38 K, about PDF)
Explains the term "sick building syndrome" (SBS) and "building related illness" (BRI). Discusses causes of sick building syndrome, describes building investigation procedures, and provides general solutions for resolving the syndrome. 

Indoor Air Pollution: An Introduction for Health Professionals
Assists health professionals (especially the primary care physician) in diagnosis of patient symptoms that could be related to an indoor air pollution problem. Addresses the health problems that may be caused by contaminants encountered daily in the home and office. Organized according to pollutant or pollutant groups such as environmental tobacco smoke, VOCs, biological pollutants, and sick building syndrome, this booklet lists key signs and symptoms from exposure to these pollutants, provides a diagnostic checklist and quick reference summary, and includes suggestions for remedial action. Also includes references for information contained in each section. This booklet was coauthored with the American Lung Association, the American Medical Association, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Paints and Coatings (these resources are illustrative, not exhaustive)
"The Chemistry of Paint" Better Homes and Gardens, DIY Advice. www.diyadvice.com/diy/painting/paint/chemistry/
American Coatings Association
(formerly the National Paint and Coatings Association)
1500 Rhode Island Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 462-6272 / Fax: (202) 462-8549
Website: www.paint.org/index.htm
exiting EPA
OSHA's Safety and Health topics page on Health Hazards in Nail Salons: The more than 375,000 nail technicians working in salons across the U.S. face possible health hazards every day. The hazards include exposure to chemicals from glues, polishes, removers, and other salon products; muscle strains from awkward positions or repetitive motions; and risk of infection from contact with client skin, nails, or blood. OSHA's Safety and Health topics page on Health Hazards in Nail Salons gives important information about these hazards and the steps that nail salon workers and employers can take to prevent injuries and illnesses.



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