Mass. AG tracking deliveries of faulty propane - best liquid propane gas grills

BOSTON—
On July, a deadly explosion at an apartment project in Massachusetts led the state attorney general to investigate the delivery of defective propane to New England and across New York.
Justice Minister Martha corkley said on Thursday that the lack of propane at a plant in Westfield is a key factor: odor agents are added to the gas to remind homeowners that there may be a dangerous leak.
After the national fire chief found a leak that killed a construction worker in Norfolk in July 30, officials began checking propane supplies.
Other workers said they did not smell the leak.
Propane was delivered from the Westfield plant.
Coakley said investigators have checked propane received from Westfield at 56 dealers in Massachusetts.
Six people ate propane without enough smell, which would give the propane a "rotten egg" smell, except that there was no smell.
Those facilities have been closed.
The survey involved propane sold or delivered in Massachusetts after May 1.
State Fire Chief Stephen Cohen said he has been in contact with other fire officials in New England and New York to warn them of potential problems.
The Westfield website is owned by DCP Midstream LLC, based in Denver.
The company is a joint venture between Spectra Energy and ConocoPhillips.
Coakley said the odor agent should be added to propane before the gas is delivered to the Westfield site.
Investigators have not yet determined which point the problem occurred in the delivery chain, she said.
"It's probably beyond what we can do in Massachusetts. . .
To be frank, why do we need to work with federal agencies in this area to conduct an investigation, "corkley said.
Coakley said she asked the DCP Midstream to hire a stand-alone monitor to test and certify that all propane distributed to Massachusetts is in compliance with state law and to remind customers of any non-
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Roz Elliott, a spokeswoman for DCP Midstream, said propane had been seasoned before it was delivered to the company.
The DCP Midstream is tested to confirm that propane has an odor.
When the dealer comes to receive the gas delivery, a second "sniffing test" is performed and paper records are kept, she said.
"We have given these records to the Minister of Justice," Elliott said . ".
"Protecting public safety is our common goal.
"The July explosion was traced to a propane leak in the basement heating unit of the apartment project under construction.
Three workers were seriously injured in the explosion and one later died.
Two firefighters and three others were also injured.
After the explosion, inspection of other propane units in the village of River's Edge also showed that during the development, a tank filled with occupied buildings had a small leak.
Fire chief Coan said on Thursday that a later survey found that propane did not include odor agents, which could cause problems for workers.
Propane users can take some easy steps to protect themselves, he said, including contacting their dealers to see if their propane will be affected.
He also advised residents to take common-sense steps, for example, if they use plumbing propane at home instead of using propane grills 10 feet metres from the house or other buildings, do not smoke
He said propane grills should not be used inside.
Coan said individuals can perform leak testing by spraying hoses and connecting with soap liquid.
Bubbles indicate a possible leak.
The hardware store also offers gas detectors for about $60. ------
Office of the Attorney General :.