A malfunctioning electrical transformer exploded yesterday [Oct 1] at the Commerce Department, spewing a cancer-causing liquid that required the decontamination of nearly 50 people. The accident sent thousands of federal workers home and snarled traffic for much of the day ...

The Commerce building will remain closed at least through the weekend, until the walls and air can be tested for contamination, according to Deputy Commerce Secretary Robert Mallett. Environmental teams from the General Services Administration, which is responsible for building maintenance, will do the testing to determine the level of contamination in the rest of the building. The building also houses the National Aquarium, and officials said the fish would be tested for contamination.

Generally, the equipment owner is responsible for the cleanup, fire officials said. Pepco owns the transformer, fire officials said. Nancy Moses, spokeswoman for Pepco, said the transformer equipment belonged to Commerce and, therefore, the cleanup will be a federal responsibility.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local/daily/oct99/commerce2.htm

-- Cheryl (Transplant@Oregon.com), October 02, 1999

Answers

Thanks Cheryl!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local/daily/oct99/commerce2.htm

-- sandi (sandihere@mailcity.com), October 02, 1999.

At least "they" didn't blame it on a squirrel.

-- Johnny (JLJTM@BELLSOUTH.NET), October 02, 1999.

They won't give you a transformer when it's whole, it has to blow up first. LOL!

-- Tom Beckner (tbeckner@xout.erols.com), October 02, 1999.

Success!!!Those who failed to heed my warnings and Ultimatum have now seen how far The Revolution will go!!!My breatheren have stuck a blow to the centre of the Malignant Furlees-Ape-Men's Capital!!!Watch for more!!!We are UNSTOPPABLE!!!Long Live the Fighters!!!Long Live the Rodent Revolution!!!

-- The Squirrel King (StillNuts@upina.Tree), October 02, 1999.

Toxic Blast!! You mean Rush Limbaugh farted again?!! He's got to stop eating at Taco Bell!!

-- @ (@@@.@), October 02, 1999.

HEY, Squirrel King: You better watch out. If Y2K hits as badly as some think, critters like you and your brethren will be prime targets for the booming post-y2k cottage industry of making fur coats for warmth when the gas and electricity are out. Much easier to snuggle with a warm squirrel coat than to throw another log in the wood stove. Saves energy, too! Remember, WE have stocked up on plenty of ammo, so we can afford the occasional miss.

-- profit_of_doom (doom@helltopay.ca), October 02, 1999.

How do you test a shark family for PCB Contamination???

without getting wet yourself??

and without pissing them off??

C

-- Chuck, a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), October 02, 1999.

Squirrel stew, Frickaseed squirrel, squirrel on a stick...squirrel marinated in PCB...

Life is going to be very hard for the squirrels, once they get the blame for this whole mess.

-- Pinkrock (aphotonboy@aol.com), October 04, 1999.