 |
|
|
FACTS:
- Chemicals are found everywhere. They purify
drinking water, increase crop production, and
simplify household chores. But chemicals also
can be hazardous to humans or the environment if
used or released improperly. Hazards can occur
during production, storage, transportation, use,
or disposal. You and your community are at risk
if a chemical is used unsafely or released in
harmful amounts into the environment where you
live, work, or play.
- 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.
- Chemical manufacturers are one source of
hazardous materials, but there are many others,
including service stations, hospitals, and
hazardous materials waste sites.
- 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.
- 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.
 |
|
|
|
|
What to do During a Hazardous
Materials Incident:
Listen to local radio or television stations for detailed
information and instructions. Follow the instructions
carefully. You should stay away from the area to minimize
the risk of contamination. Remember that some toxic
chemicals are odorless.
| If you are: |
Then: |
| Asked to evacuate |
Do so immediately.
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. |
| Caught Outside |
Stay upstream, uphill, and upwind!
In general, try to go at least one-half mile
(usually 8-10 city blocks) from the danger area.
Move away from the accident scene and help keep
others away.
Do not walk into or touch any spilled liquids,
airborne mists, or condensed solid chemical
deposits. 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. |
| In a motor vehicle |
Stop and seek shelter in a
permanent building. If you must remain in your car,
keep car windows and vents closed and shut off the
air conditioner and heater. |
| Requested to stay indoors |
Bring pets inside.
Close and lock all exterior doors and windows. Close
vents, fireplace dampers, and as many interior doors
as possible.
Turn off air conditioners and ventilation systems.
In large buildings, set ventilation systems to 100
percent recirculation so that no outside air is
drawn into the building. If this is not possible,
ventilation systems should be turned off.
Go into the pre-selected shelter room. This room
should be above ground and have the fewest openings
to the outside.
Seal gaps under doorways and windows with wet towels
or plastic sheeting 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.
Use material to fill cracks and holes in the room,
such as those around pipes.
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. |
Shelter Safety for Sealed Rooms:
Ten square feet of floor space per person will provide
sufficient air to prevent carbon dioxide build-up for up to
five hours, assuming a normal breathing rate while resting.
However, local officials are unlikely to recommend the
public shelter in a sealed room for more than 2-3 hours
because the effectiveness of such sheltering diminishes with
time as the contaminated outside air gradually seeps into
the shelter. At this point, evacuation from the area is the
better protective action to take.
Also you should ventilate the shelter when the emergency
has passed to avoid breathing contaminated air still inside
the shelter.
What to do After a Hazardous Materials
Incident:
The following are guidelines for the period following
a hazardous materials incident:
- Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
Open windows and vents and turn on fans to provide
ventilation.
- Act quickly if you have come in to contact with or
have been exposed to hazardous chemicals. Do the
following:
- Follow decontamination instructions from local
authorities. You may be advised to take a thorough
shower, or you may be advised to stay away from water
and follow another procedure.
- Seek medical treatment for unusual symptoms as soon
as possible.
- Place exposed clothing and shoes in tightly sealed
containers. Do not allow them to contact other
materials. Call local authorities to find out about
proper disposal.
- Advise everyone who comes in to contact with you
that you may have been exposed to a toxic substance.
- Find out from local authorities how to clean up your
land and property.
- Report any lingering vapors or other hazards to your
local emergency services office.
Any Additional questions? Please click the logo to the
left to learn more. |
