Cooperative Extension Riverside County - Blythe

Improper Storage of Toxic Chemicals with Flammable Chemicals A variety of flammable and toxic chemicals used in the lab are stored in a flame resistant (color coded yellow) metal cabinet in the workroom located in Cooperative Extension Department, but not all chemicals are stored in this cabinet. Two examples of stored chemicals are Acetone and Potassium Cyanide. The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) classified Acetone as EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE and the vapors of Acetone may cause a flash fire and are harmful if inhaled. The MSDS states, “…the Flash Point of Acetone is -4° F and should be handled under a vent hood with a proper ventilation system”. Potassium Cyanide is classified as EXTREME HEALTH HAZARD, POISON. MSDS states, “…Do not store near combustibles or flammables because subsequent fire fighting with water could lead to cyanide runoff. Do not store under sprinkler system”. Handling and storage for both chemicals should be in a cool, dry, well- ventilated location. The workroom where the chemicals are stored is maintained as an office space and is part of the buildings air conditioning system. 2

Improper Ventilation in the Cooperative Extension Area The County Administrative Center in Blythe is designed to be office space with gaps under the doors, and centralized air conditioning units that serve multiple areas. A drying oven is located in the lab. The heated air from the oven is ventilated into the lab area. The air conditioner for the lab area also controls the temperature in a nearby conference room and a small office. The thermostat for the air conditioner is located in this conference room. At the request of Cooperative Extension Riverside County, the Maintenance Department adjusted the controls for the air conditioner to maintain a temperature of 68° F. Office employees in nearby offices stated this resulted in “the conference room and office areas being unbearably cold”. The County Administrative Center building was designed and built in 1997 to accommodate various departments in an open concept. Board of Supervisors Policy H4 states, the Facilities Management Department will: “Set air conditioning and heating controls to comply with settings so as not to cool below 76° F, and not to heat above 68° F. Where a single temperature set point is, or where a system cools and heats simultaneously, the equipment will be operated in a manner that minimizes the use of electrical energy.” The different sections of the building all join through open spaces therefore anything that enters the air system in the lab will be circulated throughout the entire building. MSDS states a hood is required for the proper handling of most chemicals used by the lab personnel. However, there is no laboratory hood located within the lab area. The MSDS do not identify a quantity level of unsafe hazardous materials; therefore all volumes and quantities must be treated as hazardous. Riverside County Economic Development Agency, Facility Maintenance conducted an investigation into the ventilation of the lab area and wrote a report a section which is identified as “Plan B” dated May 3, 2011, which recommended necessary changes so the lab could become a self- contained unit. • “Remove all existing ductwork (supply and return air) from AC 301 to this area. • Install a new rooftop package unit and ductwork solely dedicated for the lab. Estimated cost $10,000.00. • Install an appropriately sized exhaust fan to adequately ensure a negative pressure room. Estimated cost $1,300.00.” 3

No Hazardous Materials Handler Permit California Health and Safety Code Chapter 6.95 and Riverside County Ordinance 651 states, “…any regulated substance or Federal Extremely Hazardous Substance or California Acutely Hazardous Substance below five gallons requires a Hazard Materials Business Emergency Plan and a permit with the County of Riverside Community Health Agency, Department of Environmental Health.” At the time of this report, the Cooperative Extension has not submitted a Hazard Materials Business Emergency Plan to the proper authorities.

No Hazardous Materials Identification on Building In accordance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 704, (Exhibit #1) requirements for handling hazardous materials and California Health & Safety Code, Chapter 6.95, Section 25000-25520, requires that there should be identification on any building that stores or uses hazardous materials. This advises all persons and especially firefighters of the types of chemicals that are maintained within the building.

No Hazardous Waste Generator Permit County of Riverside Hazardous Waste Generator form (HWG form dated 12/2005) identifies one type of waste as “Pesticide: Unusable portions of active pesticides, unrinsed empty containers, rinse water”. For example the MSDS for Potassium Cyanide states: “Dispose of container and unused contents in accordance with federal, state and local requirements”. The lab personnel stated the chemical containers were washed in water and rinsed 3 times. At the time of this investigation, there was no Hazardous Waste Generator Permit.

Improper Form Used for Hazardous Materials Inventory The inventory list of chemicals (Exhibit #2) is not recorded on the correct form required by the County of Riverside. The correct form is Office of Emergency Services (OES) Form 2731 (Exhibit #3). A separate form is required for each chemical and updated when a chemical is changed or moved. 4