DuPont reports small acid leak contained

DuPont Co. officials said Friday afternoon that they had contained a small leak of concentrated sulfuric acid from their chemical plant in Belle.

The leak from a flange was discovered at about 11:30 a.m. in a half-inch sampling pipe in unit that recovers sulfuric acid as part of the plant's acrylics production process, said DuPont site manager Bill Menke.

"It was just a drip type of leak," Menke said.

Menke estimated that only an ounce or two of concentrated sulfuric acid, called oleum, was released. But when the material hits air, it generates fumes that create a grayish cloud, Menke said. Crews used water to try to limit the fumes.

MSHA adds hearing on miner drug testing

The mining industry is getting another chance to comment on proposed federal rules to expand drug testing to more than 116,000 coal miners.

The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration said Thursday it's holding a second public hearing on the rules and extending the deadline for filing comments until Nov. 10.

MSHA says the public will be able to comment at its Arlington, Va., headquarters, the National Mine Health and Safety Academy in Beaver and sites in Birmingham, Ala., and Virginia, Minn.

Labor unions and mine operators criticized the proposed rules at an Oct. 14 hearing, asking MSHA for sweeping changes to the proposal or for it to be dropped.

Greenbrier Chamber mute on gambling issue

The Greater Greenbrier Chamber of Commerce is staying out of the upcoming Nov. 4 table games referendum.

DuPont Co. officials said Friday afternoon that they had contained a small leak of concentrated sulfuric acid from their chemical plant in Belle.

The leak from a flange was discovered at about 11:30 a.m. in a half-inch sampling pipe in unit that recovers sulfuric acid as part of the plant's acrylics production process, said DuPont site manager Bill Menke.

"It was just a drip type of leak," Menke said.

Menke estimated that only an ounce or two of concentrated sulfuric acid, called oleum, was released. But when the material hits air, it generates fumes that create a grayish cloud, Menke said. Crews used water to try to limit the fumes.

MSHA adds hearing on miner drug testing

The mining industry is getting another chance to comment on proposed federal rules to expand drug testing to more than 116,000 coal miners.

The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration said Thursday it's holding a second public hearing on the rules and extending the deadline for filing comments until Nov. 10.

MSHA says the public will be able to comment at its Arlington, Va., headquarters, the National Mine Health and Safety Academy in Beaver and sites in Birmingham, Ala., and Virginia, Minn.

Labor unions and mine operators criticized the proposed rules at an Oct. 14 hearing, asking MSHA for sweeping changes to the proposal or for it to be dropped.

Greenbrier Chamber mute on gambling issue

The Greater Greenbrier Chamber of Commerce is staying out of the upcoming Nov. 4 table games referendum.

Chamber Director Katie Ickes made the group's position known in an Oct. 9 letter to the union representing workers at The Greenbrier resort.

The union got the issue placed on the ballot as a way to help resolve an ongoing labor dispute.

Chamber President John Barnes said Thursday it would inappropriate for the organization to take a position on such a morally divisive issue.

The Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the resort, owned by Richmond, Va.-based CSX Corp., have also declined to take a stance.

County voters rejected a similar referendum in 2000.

Since 2000, voters have approved table games at racetracks in Nitro, Chester and Wheeling.

Coal miners skipping free black lung tests

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Coal miners are skipping free chest X-rays aimed at detecting black lung disease.

Health officials said Friday that more than 80 percent of Kentucky coal miners aren't taking part in the Coal Workers X-ray-Surveillance Program.

The program provides free X-ray scans aimed at detecting the respiratory disease caused from prolonged breathing of coal dust.

State and federal officials have commissioned a study to determine why Kentucky coal miners aren't taking part in the screening program. The retail giant Wal-Mart has gotten involved by offering $20 gift cards to coal miners who participate in the study.

-From staff, wire reports