Phoenix chemical spill prompts 2 responses by crews: FD
Phoenix Fire crews were called to the scene of a chemical spill incident twice on May 26.
The first response happened at around 3:00 a.m.
One civilian was treated for possible inhalation injury, but not taken to the hospital.
PHOENIX - Phoenix Fire officials released more details surrounding a chemical spill incident on May 26 that prompted two responses.
What we know
Per a statement, crews were initially called to a commercial food warehouse in the area of 43rd Avenue and Buckeye Road at around 3:00 a.m.
"An employee was moving product when a 55-gallon drum of acid was punctured," read a portion of the statement. "The leaking drum was contained to a collection basin."
Fire officials said the warehouse was evacuated, and while one person was treated for a possible inhalation injury, that person was ultimately not taken to the hospital.
After crews confirmed the spill was contained and did not present a hazard to nearby areas, officials say the scene was turned over to a clean-up firm. However, crews were later called back to the scene when the clean-up firm made their way to the scene.
"A possible second reaction may have occurred when the acid combined with residual chemicals in the containment basin," read a portion of the statement. "Hazmat crews made a second entry and found that the spill was still contained and not reacting. The environment inside and outside was metered and found to be non-hazardous."
Officials say crews who made their way inside the building went through a decontamination procedure as a safety precaution. No firefighters were injured.
What's next
Officials say a fire prevention unit will remain on scene to help with cleanup efforts.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
UnitedHealth says it is under a federal investigation and cooperating
Shares of UnitedHealth Group slipped Thursday after the health care giant said it was under a Department of Justice investigation. The company said it has started complying with both criminal and civil requests from federal investigators and it was cooperating with them. '(UnitedHealth) has a long record of responsible conduct and effective compliance,' the company said in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing. Earlier this year, The Wall Street Journal said federal officials had launched a civil fraud investigation into how the company records diagnoses that lead to extra payments for its Medicare Advantage, or MA, plans. Those are privately run versions of the government's Medicare coverage program mostly for people ages 65 and over. The company's UnitedHealthcare business covers more than 8 million people as the nation's largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans. The business has been under pressure in recent quarters due to rising care use and rate cuts. UnitedHealth Group Inc. said in February that it wasn't aware of the start of any new activity as the paper reported. The company said Thursday that it reached out to the Justice Department 'after reviewing media reports about investigations into certain aspects of the company's participation in the Medicare program.' UnitedHealth runs one of the nation's largest health insurance and pharmacy benefits management businesses. It also operates a growing Optum business that provides care and technology support. Company shares have mostly shed value since December, when UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot in midtown Manhattan on his way to the company's annual investor meeting. The stock price dropped 2%, or $6.13, to $286.50 Thursday morning. Tom Murphy, The Associated Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
9 Best Things To Spend Your HSA Funds on in 2025
If you have a health savings account (HSA), you probably know it covers doctor visits and prescriptions. But your HSA can do a lot more than that. You can use these tax-free dollars on things that improve your physical and mental health or help you be more prepared in an emergency. Here are some of the best things you can spend your HSA funds on in 2025. Discover Next: Read More: Therapy and Mental Health Services Generally, therapy or mental health services can be considered a qualified medical expense if it's deemed medically necessary by a licensed healthcare professional. If eligible, you can use your HSA funds to pay for sessions with psychologists, licensed clinical social workers and other qualified mental health providers. Online therapy platforms could also be eligible as long as they're run by licensed professionals. Check Out: Menstrual Products Pads, tampons, panty liners, menstrual cups and period underwear are subject to the pink tax and can get pretty expensive. Thankfully, with the passage of the CARES Act in 2020, period products are now HSA-eligible. Because your HSA contributions are tax-free, you can at least avoid being double taxed on the expense by using your HSA funds to pay for these products. Sunscreen (SPF 15 or Higher) Sunscreen is also HSA-eligible as long as it's SPF 15 or higher and labeled as broad spectrum. This means it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Note that your benefits administrator may request itemized receipts to verify your expenses. So if you aren't sure whether a sunscreen product is eligible for reimbursement or not, reach out to your HSA administrator or tax advisor to confirm before buying. First-Aid Supplies You can also use your HSA funds to build or restock your first-aid kit, including things like bandages, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointments, gauze and thermometers. Some specialized items in advanced kits might not be covered, so check with your HSA guidelines. Glasses, Contacts and LASIK Surgery Another area you can use your HSA funds on is vision care, including eye exams, prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses and prescription sunglasses. LASIK surgery is also an eligible expense. Acupuncture and Chiropractic Care Alternative treatments like acupuncture and chiropractic care may be HSA-approved if they're required for the treatment, diagnosis or prevention of a disease or illness. Some benefits administrators may also require a letter of medical necessity (LMN) from the healthcare provider to show how the alternative treatment can alleviate the issue. Dental Care You can use your HSA to pay for cleanings, x-rays, fillings, crowns and other dental work. This includes both preventive and restorative services. Orthodontic treatments, like braces or Invisalign, are also eligible if they're medically necessary. Pregnancy and Fertility Items Prenatal vitamins, pregnancy tests, ovulation kits and breast pumps all qualify. You can also use your HSA for childbirth classes, lactation support and doula services in some cases. If you're going through IVF or fertility treatments, check to see which parts of the process are eligible. Over-the-Counter Medications You no longer have to wait for a doctor's prescription to use HSA funds for most over-the-counter drugs. This includes allergy medicine, cold and flu remedies, pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen and heartburn medications. Just make sure you save your receipts in case you need to verify your purchases later. What You Can't Use Your HSA For Generally, you can't use your HSA to pay for things that don't meaningfully promote the proper function of the body or prevent/treat illness or disease. You also can't use HSA funds to pay premiums. If you take money out of your HSA for something other than qualified medical expenses before you turn 65, you'll have to pay income tax plus a 20% penalty. But once you turn 65, you can use the money in your HSA for anything you want. Take Advantage of Your HSA Your HSA can help you save money on the products and services you already use to take care of your health. Before making a purchase, it's always a good idea to double-check if the item qualifies. But in general, if it's tied to your health or wellness, there's a good chance it's HSA-eligible. More From GOBankingRates 3 Luxury SUVs That Will Have Massive Price Drops in Summer 2025 10 Cars That Outlast the Average Vehicle Mark Cuban Says Trump's Executive Order To Lower Medication Costs Has a 'Real Shot' -- Here's Why This article originally appeared on 9 Best Things To Spend Your HSA Funds on in 2025
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
UnitedHealth stock drops after company confirms DOJ investigation into Medicare billing practices
UnitedHealth (UNH) stock fell as much as 2% early Thursday after the insurance giant disclosed in a regulatory filing Thursday morning that it is facing an investigation from the Department of Justice into its Medicare billing practices. Following news reports from The Wall Street Journal about insurance billing techniques used by UnitedHealth and other large medical insurers, the Justice Department's healthcare fraud unit began making criminal and civil requests of the company, according to the filing. The health insurance giant has been facing a probe from the Justice Department into possible Medicare fraud since at least the summer of 2024, according to The Wall Street Journal's reporting. "The Company has full confidence in its practices and is committed to working cooperatively with the Department throughout this process," UnitedHealth said in its disclosure. "The Company has a long record of responsible conduct and effective compliance." The insurer also said it has "proactively launched its own initiative to conduct third party reviews of policies, practices, and associated processes and performance metrics for risk assessment coding, managed care practices, and pharmacy services." The Wall Street Journal's reporting, first published in December 2024, documented several ways in which United and other major insurers have received billions of dollars in extra payments from the federal Medicare Advantage system, which allows approved private companies to provide health benefits in lieu of the federally managed Medicare system. Insurance companies tacked on extra, and sometimes incorrect, diagnoses to patient profiles when those rulings had not been made by the doctors actually treating the patients, allowing the insurers access to extra payouts from the Medicare program, according to The Wall Street Journal's reporting. UnitedHealth has been under pressure since the December shooting of Brian Thompson, CEO of its UnitedHealthcare unit. In April, the company's first quarter earnings report sent shares down over 22%, its worst single-day performance since 1998. The next month, UnitedHealth's CEO Andrew Witty abruptly stepped down while the company pulled its annual forecast. Shares of the insurance giant are down almost 50% over the last year. Jake Conley is a breaking news reporter covering US equities for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on X at @byjakeconley or email him at Click here for in-depth analysis of the latest stock market news and events moving stock prices Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
