When Seconds Matter: Lessons in Chemical Incident Preparedness from the Tennessee Explosion

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has launched an investigation into the October 10, 2025 explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems in McEwen, Tennessee, where 24,000–28,000 pounds of explosive material detonated, killing 16 workers and damaging the industrial chemical facility. Early findings suggest the blast began during heating operations and triggered secondary detonations in nearby storage areas. The incident underscores the ongoing need for robust chemical safety measures, emergency planning, and readiness for large-scale chemical incidents.

The Rise of Electric Vehicles Fires and Effective PPE Decontamination for First Responders

As electric vehicles (EVs) become increasingly prevalent, first responders face new challenges associated with lithium-ion battery fires.