By Richard T. Cartwright, PE, CHMM, (IHMM, AHMP and APICS) Fellow
The saying, “Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it” is more than a cliché. It is a reminder that we must constantly be learning from the past. Here’s a look back at major historical events that happened today in the world of hazardous materials.
November 22, 2006
The Russian Foreign Intelligence Agency denied the radioactive polonium-210 poisoning of its former spy, Alexander Litvinenko. While living in London, Litvinenko had been receiving death threats. Shortly after Litvinenko’s death, the British Health Protection Agency said that tests had established that he had significant amounts of the radionuclide polonium in his body. Doctors and police investigators had previously been unable to detect polonium because it doesn’t emit gamma rays. The former spy had apparently ingested the poisonous radioactive isotope.
November 22, 1988
The B-2 stealth bomber was shown publicly for the first time in Palmdale, Calif. Although it had a wingspan of 150 feet, its radar signal was as negligible as that of a bird. Costing over $2 billion for each bomber, it is the world’s most expensive combat airplane. It successfully evades infrared, sound detectors, and the visible eye. The materials required to produce stealth technology requires special care, especially to preserve optimal invisibility to radar. To ensure this care, each B-2 is housed in a special climate-controlled hanger. The aircraft skin requires special treatment between missions to remove dirt and moisture.
November 22, 1941
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration first specified minimum daily requirements for dietary supplements including vitamins A, C, and D, as well as thiamine, riboflavin, calcium, iron, iodine and phosphorus.
November 22, 1905
“Black gold” was discovered in Oklahoma. With daily production exceeding 120,000 barrels, it was the largest oilfield in America at that time. Exceeding the giant Spindletop (near Beaumont, Texas) discovery, Tulsa became the “Oil Capital of the World.”
November 22, 1904
French physicist Louis-Eugène-Félix Néel was born. He was a pioneer in the study of magnetic properties of solids. His contributions to solid-state physics have found numerous useful applications, particularly in the development of improved computer memory units. He suggested that new form of magnetic behavior might exist, called anti-ferromagnetism. Néel explained the weak magnetism of certain rocks, thus making it possible to study the history of Earth’s magnetic field.
November 22, 1842
Mount St. Helens in Washington State erupted. The active volcano was a hazardous materials incident waiting to happen, which it did on May 18, 1980.
Historical hazardous materials management events are posted 365 days a year at this LinkedIn discussion group.
