HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
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EMERGENCY INFORMATION
1. Hazardous materials in various forms can cause death, serious injury,
long-lasting health effects, and damage to buildings, homes, and other property.
Many products containing hazardous chemicals are used and stored in homes
routinely. These products are also shipped daily on the nation's highways,
railroads, waterways, and pipelines.
2. Varying quantities of hazardous materials are manufactured, used, or stored
at an estimated 4.5 million facilities in the United States from major industrial
plants to local dry cleaning establishments or gardening supply stores.
3. The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act requires that
detailed information about hazardous substances in or near communities be
available at the public's request. The law provides stiff penalties for companies
that fail to comply and allows citizens to file lawsuits against companies and
government agencies to force them to obey the law.
WHAT ARE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS?
Hazardous materials are chemical substances, which if released or misused can
pose a threat to the environment or health. These chemicals are used in
industry, agriculture, medicine, research, and consumer goods. Hazardous
materials come in the form of explosives, flammable and combustible substances,
poisons, and radioactive materials. These substances are most often released
as a result of transportation accidents or because of chemical accidents in plants.
DID YOU KNOW...
Most victims of chemical accidents are injured at home. These incidents usually
result from ignorance or carelessness in using flammable or combustible
materials.
More than 30 states have passed laws giving workers and citizens access to
information about hazardous substances in their workplaces and communities.
As many as 500,000 products pose physical or health hazards and can be
defined as "hazardous chemicals." Each year, over 1,000 new synthetic
chemicals are introduced.
The Department of Transportation regulates routes and speed limits used by
carriers and monitors the types of hazardous materials crossing state lines.
In an average city of 100,000 residents, 23.5 tons of toilet bowl cleaner, 13.5
tons of liquid household cleaners, and 3.5 tons of motor oil are discharged into
city drains each month.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS WARNING PLACARDS
The U.S. Department of Transportation employs a labeling and placarding
system for identifying the types of hazardous materials that are transported along
the nation's highways, railways, and waterways. This system enables local
emergency officials to identify the nature and potential health threat of chemicals
being transported into your community. Were a chemical accident to occur in
your community, local emergency officials and the fire department would be able
to determine the proper emergency response procedures for the situation by the
type of placard or warning label.
LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEES
In 1986, Congress passed the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act
(SARA) of 1986. Title III of this legislation requires that each community establish
a Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) to be responsible for developing
an emergency plan for preparing for and responding to chemical emergencies in
that community.
This emergency plan must include the following: an identification of local facilities
and transportation routes where hazardous material are present; the procedures
for immediate response in case of an accident (this must include a
community-wide evacuation plan); a plan for notifying the community that an
incident has occurred; the names of response coordinators at local facilities; and
a plan for conducting exercises to test the plan. The plan is reviewed by the
State Emergency Response Commission ( SERC) and publicized throughout the
community. The LEPC is required to review, test, and update the plan each year.
Fact Sheet: Hazardous Materials Accidents
A hazardous materials accident can occur anywhere. Communities located near
chemical manufacturing plants are particularly at risk. However, hazardous
materials are transported on our roadways, railways and waterways daily, so any
area is considered vulnerable to an accident.
BEFORE HAND
Learn to detect the presence of a hazardous material.
Many hazardous materials do not have a taste or an odor. Some materials can
be detected because they cause physical reactions such as watering eyes or
nausea. Some hazardous materials exist beneath the surface of the ground and
can be recognized by an oil or foam-like appearance.
Contact your Local Emergency Planning Committee
(LEPC) or local emergency management office for information about hazardous
materials and community response plans.
Find out evacuation plans for your workplace and your children's schools.
Be ready to evacuate. Plan several evacuation routes out of the area.
Ask about industry and community warning systems.
Have disaster supplies on hand.
Flashlight and extra batteries
Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries
First aid kit and manual
Emergency food and water
Nonelectric can opener
Essential medicines
Cash and credit cards
Sturdy shoes
Develop an emergency communication plan.
In case family members are separated from one another during a hazardous
materials accident (this is a real possibility during the day when adults are at
work and children are at school), develop a plan for reuniting after the disaster.
Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the "family contact." After a
disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone knows the
name, address and phone number of the contact person.
DURING A HAZMAT EVENT
If you hear a siren or other warning signal, turn on
a radio or television for further emergency information.
IF CAUGHT AT THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT
If you see an accident, call 9-1-1 or the local fire department to report the nature
and location of the accident as soon as possible.
Move away from the accident scene and help keep
others away.
Do not walk into or touch any of the spilled substance.
Try not to inhale gases, fumes and smoke. If possible, cover mouth with a cloth
while leaving the area.
Stay away from accident victims until the hazardous material has been identified.
Try to stay upstream, uphill and upwind of the accident.
IF ASKED TO STAY INDOORS ("IN-PLACE SHELTERING")
Seal house so contaminants cannot enter.
Close and lock windows and doors.
Seal gaps under doorways and windows with wet towels and duct tape.
Seal gaps around window and air conditioning units, bathroom and kitchen
exhaust fans, and stove and dryer vents with duct tape and plastic sheeting, wax
paper or aluminum wrap.
Close fireplace dampers.
Close off nonessential rooms such as storage areas, laundry rooms and extra
bedrooms.
Turn off ventilation systems.
Assisting Accident Victims
Don't try to care for victims of a hazardous materials accident until the
substance has been identified and authorities indicate it is safe to go
near victims.
Then you can move victims to fresh air and call for emergency medical care.
Remove contaminated clothing and shoes and place them in a plastic bag.
Cleanse victims that have come in contact with chemicals by immediately pouring
cold water over the skin or eyes for at least 15 minutes, unless authorities
instruct you not to use water on the particular chemical involved.
Bring pets inside.
Immediately after the "in-place sheltering" announcement is issued, fill up
bathtubs or large containers for an additional water supply and turn off the intake
valve to the house.
If gas or vapors could have entered the building, take shallow breaths through a
cloth or a towel.
Avoid eating or drinking any food or water that
may be contaminated.
Monitor the Emergency Broadcast System station for further updates and remain
in shelter until authorities indicate it is safe to come out.
Evacuation
Authorities will decide if evacuation is necessary based primarily on the type and
amount of chemical released and how long it is expected to affect an area.
Other considerations are the length of time it should take to evacuate the area,
weather conditions, and the time of day.
IF ASKED TO EVACUATE
Stay tuned to a radio or television for information on evacuation routes,
temporary shelters, and procedures.
Follow the routes recommended by the authorities
shortcuts may not be safe. Leave at once.
If you have time, minimize contamination in the house by closing all windows,
shutting all vents, and turning off attic fans.
Take pre-assembled disaster supplies.
Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance infants,
elderly people and people with disabilities.
AFTER THE HAZMAT EVENT
Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
Follow local instructions concerning the safety of food
and water.
Clean up and dispose of residue carefully. Follow instructions from emergency
officials concerning clean-up methods.
This information provided by FEMA from the WWW.FEMA.gov website. FEMA
500 C Street, SW Washington, D.C. 20472 Phone: (202) 566-1600
