Hazardous Materials

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Hazardous Materials = Dangerous goods

A dangerous good is any solid, liquid, or gas that can harm people, other living organisms, property, or the environment. An equivalent term, used almost exclusively in the United States, is hazardous material (hazmat). Dangerous goods may be radioactive, flammable, explosive, toxic, corrosive, biohazardous, an oxidizer, an asphyxiant, a pathogen, an allergen, or may have other characteristics that render it hazardous in specific circumstances.
- From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

All Disasters are not created equal, and some Emergencies are not created by Mother Nature. They are manmade or technological in nature and are basically a byproduct of the world we live in, and the lifestyle we have embraced.

Let’s look at were dealing with:

We can find chemicals everywhere. They purify drinking water, are used in crop production, and assist with household chores. They can be harmful to humans, pets, property and the environment if used or released improperly. Hazards can occur during production, storage, transportation, use, or disposal. Products containing hazardous chemicals are used and stored in homes everywhere. These materials are also transported daily on all the nation's highways, railroads, waterways, and pipelines. Hazardous materials in various forms will cause death.

The country’s chemical manufacturers are one source, and there are others, service stations, hospitals, and hazardous materials waste sites. Hazardous materials are used, stored, and manufactured at an estimated 4.5 million sites in the United States. They range from major industrial plants, local dry cleaners, and garden supply stores.

Hazardous materials can be explosives, flammable and combustible substances, poisons, and radioactive materials. They are most often released into the environment due to a transportation accident, or because of unsafe/improper handling in an industrial plant.

 What can you do about it? Pay attention and start at home. EnvironmentalChemestry.com is a good place to start your development of safe handling procedures. 

Most communities also have what’s known as a Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPCs), it could be called something different in your county though. Grab the White Pages and go to the Blue Page section and find your County equivalent. They are responsibilities for collecting information about hazardous materials in the community and making this information available to the public. The LEPCs are also responsible for developing an emergency plan to prepare for and respond to chemical emergencies. They will also let you know how you will be notified and what you must do in the event of a hazardous material release.

Add these supplies to your disaster kit:

• Plastic sheeting
• Duct tape
• Scissors

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.

 

(FEMA, 2004)

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.

(FEMA, 2004)

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.

(FEMA, 2004)

"Be Safe"

References

FEMA. (2004). Are You Ready? Emmitsburg: Derartment of Homeland Security.