Media Coverage

Magnablend: Chemically Speaking

The following are excerpts from a November 2, 2011 Waxahachie Daily Light article by Colleen Horning with Steve Foster contributing.

Click here to access the full original article or continue reading below for the list of chemicals.

"Even though the flames of Oct. 3 at Magnablend, Inc.’s West Highway 287 plant have long been extinguished, questions still linger within the community regarding what residents may have possibly been exposed to chemical-wise."

"The following is a detailed list according to the information provided by the MSDS for each chemical. This was made available to the Daily Light via the Waxahachie Fire Department."

Note: This list features the description of the chemical, immediate health hazards and a sampling of what products contain it according to the Material Safety Data Sheets. 

Note from Ellis RTK: (not part of actual WDL article): This list does not appear to be a complete list of chemicals at the Magnablend Central Facility.

AGENT AT-2001 – Yellow solid powder with bean-like odor. Product: Food stabilizer, i.e. commonly used in ice cream to improve texture and reduce ice cream meltdown.

ARADUR 976-1 – Tan, solid powder. May cause skin, eye and respiratory ingestion irritant. Products: Castings, adhesives and high performance coatings.

ARMEX BLAST MEDIA – Odorless, white crystalline powder. May generate static sparks during blasting with improperly grounded equipment. Nuisance dust.  Product: Cleaning agents.

ALPHA 6332 – Clear in appearance, dark amber liquid. May cause skin, eye and respiratory ingestion irritant. Vapors may be irritating to eyes, nose, throat and lungs. Products: Secondary emulsifiers for oil field and agriculture.

AMBERGUM 1221 Water-Soluble Polymers – Solid off-white in appearance and is odorless. May cause skin, eye and respiratory ingestion irritant. Products: Used in fountain solutions, which help prevent bleeding of ink.

AMPS 2401 MONOMER – Gray white crystalline with mild odor. May cause skin, eye and respiratory ingestion irritant. Products: Acrylic fiber, water treatment and oil field chemical.

ACETIC ACID GLACIAL – Colorless, pungent liquid. Combustible liquid that is corrosive to skin and eyes. Product: Main component of vinegar, wood glue, descaling agent (removes lime scale).

ACETONE – Clear, colorless and volatile liquid with mint-like fragrance. Harmful if swallowed or inhaled. Irritant to skin, eyes and respiratory tract. Products: Spray adhesive, polyurethane triple expanding foam-aerosol.

BENTONE 150 – Off-white powder. May cause eye irritation. Long-term exposure to airborne concentrations above the recommended exposure guidelines may cause lung damage. Product: Non-soap thickened grease. Can also be clay grease.

BENZYL ALCOHOL – Colorless, slightly aromatic liquid. May be harmful if inhaled and may cause respiratory tract irritation. Products: Solvent for inks and lacquers. Also precursor for soaps and perfumes.

n-BUTYL LACTATE – Water-white liquid. Causes eye and skin irritation and is combustible liquid and vapor. Products: Solvent and synthesized fruit flavoring.

BUTYL CELLOSOLVE SOLVENT – Colorless liquid with mild odor. May cause severe eye irritation. Excessive exposure may cause irritation to upper respiratory tract. Products: solvent in paints, surface coatings and cleaning products.

BURGESS NO. 30 – Off-white dry powder with soil-like odor. Dusts may irritate the nose, throat and respiratory tract. Product: Used in PVC compounds to improve insulation resistance.

CALCIUM HYDROXIDE HYDEATED LIME – Odorless, white dry powder or wet slurry. Prolonged contact may irritate or burn skin. Inhalation of dust may irritate respiratory passages. Product: Found in whitewash and mortar.  Used to fill root canal in first stage. Chemical agent for hair removal and hair relaxers.

CALCIUM CARBONATE – Fine white powder. Excessive concentrations of a nuisance dust may cause coughing, sneezing and nasal irritation. Not considered to be a fire hazard. Products: Dietary supplement used when the amount of calcium taken in the diet is not enough. Also used as an antacid to relieve heartburn, acid indigestion and upset stomach.

CATAPAL ALUMINA – Off-white, odorless powder. May cause eye, skin, respiratory and ingestion irritation. Product: Used in gels for water purification

CHINOLINE YELLOW SS – Yellow/green powder with no odor. Avoid contact with eyes and skin. Mild irritant to eyes with extremely low volatility, which makes inhalation exposure unlikely. Products: Found in hair products, lipsticks and fragrances.    

CHOLINE CHLORIDE DRY – Tan to off-white powder, which can have odor like cereal. May cause eye irritation. Dust may cause irritation but no hazard expected. Product: Used in animal feed.

CHOLINE CHLORIDE AQUEOUS – Colorless to light amber and slight “fish-like” odor. No hazard expected to skin. Product: Essential nutrient added to food for agricultural purposes.

CHOLINE CHLONIDE AN&H – Colorless to light amber powder with “fish-like” odor. Not classified as hazardous according to US Hazard Communication Registration. Product: Essential nutrient added to food for agricultural purposes.

COPPER SULFATE – Pale green or gray white powder. Causes irritation to skin, eyes and respiratory tract. Not considered to be explosion hazard. Product: Herbicide, fungicide and pesticide.

CORSAMINE PT – Yellow paste, which is not expected to be a fire hazard. Can cause severe burns and harmful if swallowed. Product: Used for the manufacture of pigment dispersions, fabric finishings, corrosion inhibitors and anti-caking formulations.     

DBE DIBASIC ESTERS – Colorless liquid with sweet odor. May cause eye, skin and respiratory irritation. Mist and vapors may form explosive mixtures with air. Products: Lubricants and spin finishes.

DIALD 50 – Organic compound that has pungent odor and is colorless oily liquid. May cause eye, skin and respiratory irritation. Product: Disinfects medical/dental equipment. Also used for chemical preservative in industrial water treatment.

DEQUEST 2060S – Liquid with pungent odor and dark amber color. May cause eye, skin and respiratory irritation. Product: Used in cooling waters, desalination systems and in oil field scale control. Also used in medicines to treat bone formation and calcium metabolism.  

DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL METHL ETHER- Colorless liquid with a weak, ether-like odor. May cause eye odor, skin and respiratory irritation. Product: Epoxy Resin Curing Agent..

DOWEX 50WX8-400 – Is a solid. May cause eye, skin and respiratory irritation. Product: Absorbent resin.

DUP FL 5/ PM 6264 3C 200 PF – Is a colorless liquid. May cause eye, skin and respiratory irritation.  Product: Solvent for coatings and pharmaceutical use.

ES-5 PROPLO SURFACTANT – Clear, colorless liquid with odor of alcohol. May cause eye, skin and respiratory irritation. Product: Detergent and foaming agents.

E60-350-SILICONE EMULSION – White liquid with slight odor. May cause eye, skin and respiratory irritation. Products: Additives for polish, lubricants and textile softener.

EPODIL 741 – Colorless liquid with irritating odor. May cause eye, skin and respiratory irritation. Product: Epoxy Resin System Modifier.

EWA-1 – Orange liquid with sharp sweet odor. May cause eye, skin and respiratory irritation. Products: Adhesives and composite materials.

EPIKURE – Is a liquid with ammonia odor. May cause eye, skin and respiratory irritation. Is flammable.  Product: Epoxy.

EPON RESIN ER 4 – Is combustible liquid and vapor. May cause eye, skin and respiratory irritation Products: Fiber-reinforced plastic materials and general adhesives.

ER 221 A – Thick and sticky liquid. May cause eye, skin and respiratory irritation. Product: Epoxy resin

EXPEDITE 350 COMPONENT A – Clear, light amber liquid. May cause eye, skin and respiratory irritation.  Product: Epoxy resin.

2-ETHYLHEXANOL – Combustible liquid and vapor. Product: Solvent.

EASTMAN N-BUTANOL – Flammable liquid and vapor. May cause eye, skin and respiratory irritation. Products: Coating for automotive, solvents for cosmetics and fragrances.

EC-PRO XYLENE REPLACEMENT – Pale yellow to amber liquid with terpene odor.  It’s combustible and may cause eye, skin and respiratory irritation. Product: Solvent.

FLOPAM DR 42 – Milky, thick liquid. May cause eye and skin irritation.  Product: Processing aid for industrial application

FLOPAM DR 7000 – Sticky, thick liquid. May cause eye and skin irritation. Product: Processing aid for industrial application.

FLOPAM DR 9000 – Milky, thick liquid. May cause eye and skin irritation. Product: Processing aid for industrial application.

FUNGITROL 729 FUNGICIDE – Pale yellow liquid. May cause eye, skin and respiratory irritation.  Product: Eradicates or inhibits fungi or fungal spores.

GLYCOL ETHER DPM 20432 – Colorless liquid with ether-like odor. Is a combustible liquid and vapor. May cause mild eye irritation. Product: Solvent mainly used in paints, pharmaceutical product and cosmetics.

GLYCOL ETHER DM INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH – Clear liquid with mild aromatic odor. Is a combustible liquid. May cause eye, skin and respiratory irritation. Products: Solvent used in paints.

GLYCOLIC ACID – Clear light amber liquid with mild (like burnt sugar) odor. May cause eye, skin and respiratory irritation. Products: Used in skin care, especially chemical peels.

HEXYLENE GLYCOL – Colorless liquid. With mild sweet odor. May cause skin, eye and respiratory irritation. Product: Cosmetics, hair/bath and fragrances. They are also used as indirect food additives.

K6C679 XANTHAN GUM – White to tan odorless powder. May cause eye, skin and respiratory irritation.  Products: Liquid detergents, toilet bowl cleaners, polishes, textured paints, fungicides and liquid feed supplement (animals) and calf milk replacement.

KEL TROL 700 XANTHAN GUM – White to tan odorless powder. May cause eye, skin and respiratory irritation. Products: Food thickening agent (in salad dressings, for example) and a stabilizer (in cosmetic products).

KATHON LXMICROBIOCIDE – Pale yellow to Amber liquid with pungent odor. May cause eye, skin and respiratory irritation. Product: Effective for treating raw material, process water and contaminated products. Also can eradicate a wide range of microbes (fungal and bacteria).

KEM FLOW A-4355 ANIONIC POLYACRYLAMIDE COPOLYMER – White, thick liquid with hydrocarbon odor. May cause skin and eye irritation. Product: Cementing additive.

KBEM-603 SILANE COUPLING AGENT – Light yellow, transparent liquid with fishy odor. May cause skin, eye and respiratory irritation. Product: Rubber auxiliary agent.

LUTENSOL TDA 9 ICONOL TDA 9 – Paste that is mild and almost odorless. May cause skin, eye and respiratory irritation. Product: Suitable for the preparation of formulations in the laundry, cleaning and surface care area.

MAGNESIUM HYDROXID – Is an inorganic compound. May cause skin, eye and respiratory irritant. Also may present a nuisance dust hazard. Product: Antacids and laxatives.

MALTODEXTRIN 40DE – Solid white powder with slight odor. Also has sweet or flavorless taste. May cause skin, eye, respiratory and ingestion irritant. Product: Food additive.

MARASPERSE AG POWDER – Brown powder with slight odor. May cause skin, eye, respiratory and ingestion irritant. Also may present a nuisance dust hazard Product: Used when hard water is problem.

MASON CS 128 – Clear, colorless to straw colored liquid with benzaldehyde (organic) odor. May cause skin, eye, respiratory and ingestion irritant. Product: Carpet extraction, degreasers and vehicle cleaners.

METHANOL – Clear, colorless liquid with slight alcohol odor. May cause skin, eye, respiratory and ingestion irritant. Product: Plastics, plywood, paint, explosives.

MONOETHANOLAMINE – Clear, colorless liquid with ammonia-like odor. May cause skin, eye, respiratory and ingestion irritant. Product: Wall and ceiling crack repair.

MORPLAS BLUE B – Dark blue powder with no odor. May cause skin, eye, respiratory and ingestion irritant. Product: Dyes for plastics and fibers.

N-DIMETHYLACRYLAMIDE – Clear, colorless liquid. May cause skin, eye, respiratory and ingestion irritant. Product: Chromatographic resin.

NADIC METHYL ANHYDRIDE-NE – Pale yellow to tan liquid with slight odor. Product: Resin hardener.

NITRIC ACID – Colorless to yellow liquid with odor that can be suffocating. May cause skin, eye, respiratory and ingestion irritant. Product: Used for production of fertilizers.

OILPRO PBL-70K, SATURATED HYDROCARBONS – Light colored liquid. May cause skin, eye, respiratory and ingestion irritant. Product: Propellant in aerosol spray

ODC 15 DRILLING FLUID BASE OIL, PARAFFINIC NAPHTHENIC SOLVENT –Clear liquid with hydrocarbon-like odor. May cause skin, eye, respiratory and ingestion irritant. Product: Coolants, lubricants, solvents and cutting fluids.         

OILPRO PBO-NF70, WHITE MINERAL OIL – Colorless, odorless, light mixtures of alakanes. May cause skin, eye, respiratory and ingestion irritant. Product: Paraffin and petroleum jelly.

OMACIDE IPBC 40 INDURSTRIAL FUNGICIDE – Yellow to brown liquid with pungent odor. May cause skin, eye, respiratory and ingestion irritant. Product: Pesticide uses.

POLY(OXY-1,2 ETHANEDYL) – Colorless to lightly colored liquid with mild odor. May cause skin, eye, respiratory and ingestion irritant. Product: Used in paper industry for whitening.

POSTASSIUM CHLORIDE – White crystals or powder with no odor. May cause skin, eye, respiratory and ingestion irritant. Product: It is sometimes used in petroleum natural gas operations, as well as being an alternative to sodium chloride in household water softener units. Also used in fertilizers.

PRECIPITATED SILICA – Free flowing white powder. May cause skin, eye, respiratory and ingestion irritant. Product: Filler and softener in rubber and plastics. Also cleaning, thickening and polishing agent in toothpaste.

PRODUCT 6133 – Clear, yellow liquid. May cause skin, eye, respiratory and ingestion irritant. May give off gas or vapor that is irritating. Product: Corrosion Inhibitor.

PROGLYDE DMM GLYCOL DIETHER – Colorless liquid with mild odor. May cause skin, eye, respiratory and ingestion irritant. Product: Protective coatings for industrial, automotive and architectural applications.

PROPYLENE CARBONATE – Liquid with faint odor. May cause skin, eye, respiratory and ingestion irritant. Product: Used as component in lithium batteries.

PROPYLENE GLYCOL – Liquid that is colorless and odorless. May cause skin, eye and respiratory. Product: Variety of soaps, skin products and even baby wipes.

RHODOPOL 23 – Solid cream-colored powder with flour-like odor. May cause skin, eye, respiratory and ingestion irritant. Product: Thickening agent in salad dressings.

EMULSIFIED SULFUR – Yellow to tan liquid with odor of sulfur dioxide. May cause skin, eye, respiratory and ingestion irritant. Product: Fertilizers.

SODIUM PERSULFATE – White odorless crystals. May cause skin, eye, respiratory and ingestion irritant. Product: Cleaner for circuit boards. Also booster in hair bleaching formulas.

SODIUM THIOSULFATE ANHYDROUS – Colorless solid found in crystalline or powder forms. May cause skin, eye, respiratory and ingestion irritant. Product: Used as antidote for cyanide poisoning. Also can be used in footbaths for ringworm.

SODIUM TRIPOLYPHOSPHATE ANHYDROUS – White powder or granules. May cause slight skin, eye, respiratory and ingestion irritant. Product: Food ingredient and cleaning compound.

S3 SURFACTANT – Colorless to pale yellow with fatty odor. May cause skin, eye, respiratory and ingestion irritant. Product: Degreasers and cleaning products.

SIPERNAT  D 13 – White odorless powder. May cause skin, eye and respiratory irritant. Product: Used in defoamers and foam inhibitors.

SODIUM BISULFITE SOLUTION – Clear yellow liquid with an odor of sulfur oxide. May cause skin, eye, respiratory and ingestion irritant. Product: Food additive.

SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE – Colorless to lightly colored liquid with sharp odor. Product: Bleaching agents and disinfectants.

SODIUM HYDROXIDE SOLUTION – Clear to slightly gray liquid with no odor. May cause skin, eye, respiratory and ingestion irritant. Product: Strong chemical base in the manufacturing of pulp, paper, textiles, drinking water, detergent and drain cleaner.

SULFURIC ACID – Clear colorless liquid. May cause skin, eye, respiratory and ingestion irritant. Product: Lead-acid batteries for cars, oil refining and wastewater processing.

SUSPEND AID13Q – Clear combustible liquid. May cause skin, eye, respiratory and ingestion irritant. Product: Primary solvent in solvent-based silk screening printing ink. Also solvent for agriculture pesticides.

TETRAMETHYLAMMONIUM CHLORIDE – Colorless to light yellow liquid. May cause skin, eye, respiratory and ingestion irritant. Product: Some ongoing applications include protein purification, catalysis for epoxy manufacturing.

TETRAETHYLENEPENTAMINE – Yellow liquid with ammonia-like odor. May cause skin, eye, respiratory and ingestion irritant. Product: Asphalt additives, fuel additives, lube additives and petroleum production chemicals.

UNITENE WST – Colorless to pale yellow liquid. May cause skin, eye, respiratory and ingestion irritant. Product: Ingredient used in flavor and fragrance products. 

WGA-15 – Off-white, yellowish powder. May cause skin, eye, respiratory and ingestion irritant. Product: Water gelling agent.

WATER-CUT EOR204 – White granular solid. May cause skin, eye and respiratory irritant. Product: Water-soluble thickeners.

VERSENE ACID – White solid with mild odor. May cause skin, eye and respiratory ingestion irritant. Product: In textile industry, it prevents metal ion impurities from modifying colors of dyed products. In personal care products, it is added to cosmetics to improve their stability toward air.

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