Lebanon

U of T student creates postcard to support disaster relief in Beirut

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 15:37:22 +0000

U of T student creates postcard to support disaster relief in Beirut

Christopher.Sorensen Thu, 08/13/2020 - 11:37

Cutline

Farah Hamade poses for a photo in Lebanon – a country she describes as her "second home" – in the summer of 2019 (photo courtesy of Farah Hamade)

Maeve Doyle

Topic

Global Lens

Lebanon

Biomedical Communications

Graduate Students

U of T Mississauga

Farah Hamade woke up and checked her phone the morning of Aug. 4. Her family chat group was crammed with messages: "Is everyone OK? What happened?”

It was 6 p.m. local time in Beirut, when a stockpile of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse exploded in the city's port. A second, stronger explosion obliterated buildings and devastated the densely populated area. Hundreds of people died. Thousands were injured. Many more were displaced.

Next, videos of the destruction appeared in Hamade’s social media feed.

"The footage was shocking,” says Hamade, a second year graduate student in the master of science in biomedical communications program at the University of Toronto Mississauga. “I was in utter disbelief. My family sent photos of damage to their offices and homes, of destruction in the streets that are so familiar to me.

“Thankfully my family is safe, but we all know someone who has been injured, left homeless or killed."

Hamade was born in San Francisco. She lived in multiple countries while growing up and considers Lebanon her second home. “I grew up visiting family in Beirut multiple times a year for holidays and summers. A big part of my family lives in Beirut and the surrounding areas,” she says.

Her memories from Beirut are of family greetings at the airport, pillow forts in her grandmother’s apartment and morning coffees on her aunt's balcony.

To help raise money for disaster relief efforts, Hamade is selling postcard prints of a watercolour sketch that depicts the view from her aunt's balcony in the Hamra neighbourhood of Beirut circa 2017.

“It's a city filled with life and creativity, nestled between the sea and the mountains,” says Hamad, a biomedical visualization specialist.

Already concerned about Lebanon’s financial crisis and public protests, Hamade says she now worries about the coronavirus pandemic as victims made homeless by the catastrophe try to find shelter with family and friends.

Despite feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, Hamade says that she knows she can help, even from a distance, by raising funds and sharing news. So, she is selling postcard prints of a watercolour sketch that depicts the view from her aunt's balcony in the Hamra neighbourhood of Beirut circa 2017 (funds can be sent via Venmo to farahamade). She says the sketch represents both a happy memory for her and a hopeful future for the city.

“All the funds raised from the postcards will go to disaster relief efforts in Beirut,” she says, adding that the first batch of donations will go to the Lebanese Red Cross and future donations will go to other NGOs working in the area.

Regardless of the reasons behind the catastrophe, Hamade says the important thing is people who are suffering need help.

“I hope that these postcard prints will encourage people to donate and maybe even inspire them to visit Beirut one day.”

U of T forensic engineering expert on what happens next in Beirut investigation

Christopher.Sorensen — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 13:19:49 +0000

U of T forensic engineering expert on what happens next in Beirut investigation

Christopher.Sorensen Mon, 08/10/2020 - 09:19

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A Lebanese protester waves a flag amid clashes with security forces in central Beirut. Lebanon's prime minister resigned on Monday, nearly a week after a massive explosion at the city's port caused widespread destruction (Joseph Eid via Getty Images)

Tyler Irving

Topic

Global Lens

Lebanon

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Global

Nearly a week after the massive explosion in Beirut that killed more than 200 and injured thousands, there is a growing demand for answers about what, exactly, caused the tragedy and whether it could have been prevented.

Doug Perovic, a professor in the University of Toronto’s department of materials science and engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, is an expert in forensic engineering and has been involved in investigations of explosions, structural failures and other disasters.

Writer Tyler Irving recently caught up with Perovic to ask him about the next steps for those looking to determine the root causes of the tragedy.

You have been involved in forensic engineering investigations in the past. What will investigators be doing in the first days and weeks after this incident? What kind of evidence will they be looking for?

Investigators will collect all background information available. Video evidence will provide critical information for a sequence-of-events analysis of the incident. Credible witness accounts and statements would be very useful in determining the initiating event.

Analysis of the fireball diameter and blast crater size will allow for an estimation of the magnitude of the explosive mass and energy. Chemical spectroscopy analysis of residues at various locations from the origin and vicinity will provide confirmation of chemicals and materials involved in the explosion. Review of protocols and procedure for storage of explosive materials will be performed to compare to applicable regulations and standards.

Early reports suggested that a fire at a fireworks warehouse may have ignited a large quantity of ammonium nitrate. What kinds of clues would confirm that hypothesis?

The video evidence available provides a sequence of events leading to the catastrophic explosion.

The earliest video footage shows a large building on fire with many fireworks or small munitions exploding and producing white smoke characteristic of low explosive materials. High explosive munitions and gun powder used in bombs and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) normally produce black smoke.

At the instant the fire burn transitions to a detonation, a large fireball is observed concomitant with the release of a large reddish-brown smoke cloud, which has the signature of nitrous oxide gas released from an ammonium nitrate explosion.

Finally, a large white mushroom-shaped condensation cloud is observed, which is a consequence of the supersonic shock wave from the explosion condensing the moisture in the humid air.

What is ammonium nitrate, how is it used, and what safety hazards does it present?

Ammonium nitrate is a salt manufactured by reacting ammonia gas with nitric acid. It takes the form of a white crystalline solid and is similar in appearance to sodium chloride (table salt).

When stored properly in moisture-free containers, it remains relatively stable. Its main applications are as a fertilizer and as a component in explosives used in mining and construction.

The shelf life of ammonium nitrate is about 6 months. If a large volume of ammonium nitrate is stored for years and allowed to absorb moisture in a humid environment, the ammonium nitrate granules/pellets agglomerate and deteriorate, which increases the explosive potential of the mass.

In addition, ammonium nitrate has to be protected from impurities such as flammable liquids, powdered metals, oils and acids and salts.

Some have suggested the ammonium nitrate was stored unsafely. What kind of evidence would confirm that idea? What types of protocols should have been in place?

Ammonium nitrate is not classified as an explosive when it is stored properly in volumes less than one cubic metre. However, if stored in larger volumes and masses, it can reach critical mass and exhibit explosive properties.

Deterioration of improperly stored ammonium nitrate due to moisture absorption over time results in a condensed mass that does not allow the gaseous products to escape, resulting in confinement and a massive explosive potential. The energy of the explosion observed in Beirut is indicative of a dense solid, not a granular mass of ammonium nitrate, due to improper long-term storage in humid conditions.

Most countries have strict statutes and regulations governing the manufacturing, storage and transportation of ammonium nitrate, such as Canada’s Explosives Regulations (Part 20), US-EPA 550-F and the EU Seveso Directive. The reported conditions of the ammonium nitrate storage in Beirut would have violated the aforementioned regulations.

Are there other incidents from the past that compare to the Beirut explosion? If so, what lessons can be drawn?

There have been many well-known ammonium nitrate explosions in the past including:

Oppau, Germany, 1921 (507 deaths)
Texas City, Texas, 1947 (580 deaths)
Toulouse, France, 2001 (30 deaths)
Waco, Texas, 2013 (15 deaths)
Tianjin, China, 2015 (165 deaths)

These accidents involved storage for fertilizer. Regulations defining safety practices for ammonium nitrate have been revised and improved in the countries where the incidents occurred.

Conformance to existing safety regulations would preclude the type of explosion observed in Beirut. The storage of ammonium nitrate in Canada is so tightly regulated at the federal level such that a Beirut-type explosion is highly unlikely.

Could the investigation determine if the Beirut blast was an industrial accident or an intentional act?

The key to answering this question is a determination of evidence of how the initial fire started in the building adjacent to the ammonium nitrate storage facility. Video evidence does not show a bomb explosion as the initiating event.

The fuel load and heat from the fire at the fireworks storage appear to have been large enough to detonate the ammonium nitrate pile. It is possible the initial fire could have been intentionally set by someone who was sufficiently knowledgeable of the sequence of events required to detonate a large mass of ammonium nitrate.

Hopefully, a full and transparent investigation will be performed without delay to provide answers to determine cause and produce safety regulations to avoid tragedies of this type in the future for all countries.

'Our thoughts are with you': U of T mourns Beirut victims

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 18:57:29 +0000

'Our thoughts are with you': U of T mourns Beirut victims

Christopher.Sorensen Thu, 08/06/2020 - 14:57

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Mourners light candles in London's Kensington Gardens during a vigil to honour the victims of the Beirut explosion (photo by TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images)

Topic

Centre for International Experience

Meric Gertler

U of T Mississauga

U of T Scarborough

The University of Toronto community is mourning the victims of the tragic explosion in Beirut.

Flags on all three U of T campuses will be lowered to half-mast Friday, Aug. 7, 2020, as the university extends its sympathy and support to families and friends of those killed in the explosion in the Lebanese capital.

As many as 145 people were killed and 5,000 injured by the blast, which struck Beirut’s port on Tuesday. Hundreds of people have been reported missing.

“On behalf of the University of Toronto, I would like to offer our deepest sympathies to all those affected by the explosion in Beirut, especially to the families and friends of those who were killed or injured, and to all those who have been displaced from their homes,” said U of T President Meric Gertler.

“Our thoughts are with you, and with the members of the U of T community who have ties to Lebanon, at this extremely difficult time."

Over 160 U of T students have either lived in Beirut or hold Lebanese citizenship.

A few students have been directly impacted by the explosion, said Katherine Beaumont, senior director of global learning opportunities and international student success at U of T’s Centre for International Experience (CIE).

“We want to support them as best we can given what’s happened.”

Beaumont said that the university has been in touch with U of T’s two Lebanese student groups, the Lebanese Student Society (on the St. George campus) and Lebanese at UTSC.

“We typically follow the lead of student groups – who are very connected with local communities and students – and work in partnership with them based on what they feel their members need,” Beaumont said.

“As we speak with student organizations, if there’s interest or desire to have some kind of community gathering – which would likely be virtual at this point – then we will work with the Multi-Faith Centre to support that.”

Staff and faculty have also come forward with suggestions on how to support those affected by the explosion, said Beaumont. She added that U of T leadership is listening to ideas and gathering more details on those affected by the tragedy as it determines how best to support them.

Beaumont added that any students experiencing distress over the event can access My SSP, the university’s free, 24/7 virtual counselling service, which is available in multiple languages.

Students with questions can also reach out to the Centre for International Experience.

Feeling distressed? Find someone to talk to right now – and if there is an immediate risk, call 911.

Round-the-clock support:

Students can speak to a counsellor at any hour of the day.

U of T My SSP for students: call 1-844-451-9700 or download the app at the Apple App Store or Google Play. Immediate counselling support is available in 35 languages and ongoing support in 146 languages.

Other 24-7 supports available include:

Good 2 Talk Student Helpline 1-866-925-5454. Professional counselling, information and referrals for mental health, addictions and well-being.
Gerstein Crisis Centre 416-929-5200
Distress Centres of Greater Toronto 416-408-HELP (4357)
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health at 250 College Street
Anishnawbe Health Toronto Mental Health Crisis Line 416-360-0486

The following services are available to students on all three campuses:

St. George campus: Health and Wellness Centre (416-978-8030)
U of T Scarborough: Health & Wellness Centre 416-287-7065
U of T Mississauga: Health & Counselling Centre 905-828-5255

Faculty and staff have access to 24-7 support through:

The Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP), offered through Homewood Health, online and by phone at 1-800-663-1142

For those who wish to support humanitarian needs in Lebanon, the Canadian Red Cross is accepting donations.