Hazardous Materials Accidents - Are You at Risk?

What are hazardous materials accidents?

Sometimes business and government use chemicals or products that can be hazardous to the public's health. Chemicals normally do not pose a major risk to the public, however, during an emergency, disaster, fire or explosion, chemicals can be released and can cause a severe threat to the environment and to the public's health.

Hazardous materials come in different forms, such as, combustible substances, explosives, poisons and radioactive materials.

Hazardous materials accidents can occur during transportation, production, storage or use. Hazardous materials from chemical manufacturers are one source but there are other sources such as, hospitals, service stations and hazardous materials waste sites.

Hazardous materials accidents can cause serious injury, long-lasting health affects, death and severe damage to homes, buildings and other property.

• Listen to your local radio or television station for emergency information. Stay tuned for any updates.
  
  
• If you are asked to evacuate by authorities, due so immediately.
  
  
• Keep away from the accident site.
  
  
• If you are caught outside, stay upwind, uphill or upstream.
  
  
• Leave the area immediately. Get at least a half a mile away from the accident site.
  
  
• Do not touch or handle any items that could cause a spark or fire.
  
  
• Before leaving a building, cover your mouth and nose with a cloth if you suspect that there may be any gas or vapor.
  
  
• Do not touch or walk into any liquid spills, airborne mists or any powdery chemical deposits.
  
  
• If there are any accident victims, stay away from them until the hazardous material has been identified.
  
  
• If you are in a vehicle when a hazardous gas is evident, close the car windows, turn off the ventilation system, shut off any outside air intake and leave the affected area.

• Bring all pets indoors.
  
  
• Windows and all entry routes should be closed and locked.
  
  
• All vents, including fireplace dampers, should be closed.
  
  
• Air conditioning and ventilation systems should be turned off. In large buildings, set the ventilation systems to 100 percent recirculation so that no outside air is draw into the building. If recirculating is not possible, ventilation should be shut off.
  
  
• Close as many interior doors as possible.
  
  
• Shelter-in-place in a pre-selected room. This room should have the fewest openings to the outside and be above ground.
  
  
• Seal gaps around doorways and windows with plastic sheeting and duct tape or wet towels.
  
  
• Seal gaps around, pipes, air conditioning units, stove or dryer vents, kitchen or bathroom exhaust fans. Use duct tape and plastic sheeting, wax paper or aluminum foil.
  
  
• If vapors or gas enter the room, take shallow breaths through a cloth or towel.
  
  
• Wait until authorities say it is okay to go outside.

• If severe injuries occur due to an exposure, call 911.
  
  
• If you are exposed to a hazardous material, you may be contaminated and may contaminate other. Advise anyone that comes into contact with you.
  
  
• Call the poison control center at (800) 222-1222 if you are uncertain about how to remove the chemical from your body.
  
  
• Exposed clothing and shoes should be tightly sealed in containers and properly disposed of.
  
  
• Contact a health care provider for additional medical treatment.

• Only return home when authorities say it is safe.
  
  
• Open all windows and vents and turn on the ventilation system.
  
  
• Get advice from local hazmat authorities on how to clean up your property if there appears to be any lingering hazards.