Combustible Dust Believed to Have Caused Explosion at Canadian Nursery

Industries that generate or handle combustible dusts should consider having materials tested according to EMSL Analytical, Inc.

Westmont, NJ, August 26th, 2009

A recent explosion at a plant nursery in New Brunswick, Canada is believed to have been caused by peat moss dust. An explosion was heard by employees that resulted in a fire that burned down 3 buildings and caused close to $1 million in damages. It took almost 100 firefighters from 25 fire departments to put out the blaze.

Explosions caused by dust igniting have been reported in many industries across North America. There have been countless deaths and injuries associated with many of these blasts and subsequent fires.

In March of 2008 OSHA issued Directive #: CPL 03-00-008, Subject: Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program. The purpose of the program is to inspect facilities that generate or handle combustible dusts and make recommendations that will reduce the risk of fire hazard which could result in bodily injury, loss of life and property damage.

The OSHA directive covers a wide range of materials used in many application areas across almost all the major industrial and agricultural sectors. Industries that handle combustible dusts include agriculture, chemical, textile, forest and furniture product, wastewater treatment, metal processing, paper product, pharmaceutical and recycling operation (metal, paper, and plastic) industries.

Last year EMSL Analytical, one of the nation’s largest environmental and material testing laboratories, began offering testing solutions for the OSHA compliance directive for combustible dusts. “When major property damage and life are at stake it’s important to do everything possible to prevent these types of tragedies,” reported Joe Frasca, Executive Vice President at EMSL Analytical. “It is imperative to have testing done and to use a laboratory that has the expertise, equipment and reliability to get the job done right,” Frasca continued.

For more information about combustible dust testing services or other testing needs please contact EMSL Analytical at (800) 220-3675, info@EMSL.com or visit www.EMSL.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental, food, and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Joe Frasca

Senior Vice President, Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

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