Responding: Hazmat Incidents
During a hazardous materials incident:
- If you witness (or smell) a hazardous materials release, call 911.
- If you hear a warning siren, listen to the local radio or television station for further information.
- Stay away from the incident site to minimize the risk of contamination.
- If you are caught outside during an incident, try to stay upstream, uphill and upwind. Gases and mists are generally heavier than air and hazardous materials can quickly be transported by water and wind. In general, try to go at least one-half mile (10 city blocks) from the danger area. However, for many incidents you will need to go much farther.
- If you are in a motor vehicle, stop and find shelter in a permanent building if possible. If you must remain in your vehicle, keep the windows and vents closed and shut off the air conditioner and heater.
- If asked to evacuate, do so immediately. If authorities indicate there is enough time, close all windows, shut vents and turn off heating and air conditioning fans to minimize contamination.
If you are told to stay indoors:
- Follow all instructions given by emergency authorities.
- Get all employees inside as quickly as possible.
- Close and lock all exterior doors and window. Close vents and as many interior doors as possible.
- Turn off air conditioners and ventilation systems. In large buildings, set all ventilation systems to 100% recirculation so that no outside air is drawn into the building. If this is not possible, ventilation systems should be turned off.
- Go into your pre-selected shelter room (an above ground room with the fewest openings to the outside). Ten square feet of floor space per person will provide sufficient air to prevent carbon dioxide buildup for up to five hours. Local officials are unlikely to recommend that you stay 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. The concentration of life-supporting oxygen in the air inside the shelter decreases with time.
- Take a battery-powered radio, water, a flashlight, plastic sheeting, duct tape and scissors into the shelter room.
- Close doors and windows in the room and seal the room using the plastic sheeting and duct tape.
- Tape around the sides, bottom and top of the door.
- Cover each window and vent in the room with a single piece of plastic sheeting, taping all around the edges of the sheeting to provide a continuous seal.
- If there are any cracks or holes in the room, such as those around pipes entering a bathroom, seal them with duct tape.
- Remain in the room, listening to a local radio or television station until you hear that authorities advise you to leave your shelter; shelter-in-place might only be effective for 2-3 hours due to contaminants seeping into the shelter.
After a hazardous materials incident:
- When authorities advise people in your area to leave their shelters, open all doors and windows and turn on the air conditioning and ventilation systems. These measures will flush out any chemicals that infiltrated the building.
- Be aware that a person or item that has been exposed to a hazardous chemical might be contaminated and could contaminate other people or items. Anyone who comes into contact or is exposed to hazardous chemicals should:
- Follow decontamination instructions from local authorities. Depending on the chemical, they might be advised to take a thorough shower, or they might be advised to stay away from water and follow another procedure. Get medical treatment for unusual symptoms as soon as possible.
- If medical help is not immediately available and you think you might be contaminated, remove all of your clothing and shower thoroughly (unless local authorities advise otherwise). Change into fresh, loose clothing and get medical help as soon as possible.
- Place exposed clothing and shoes in tightly sealed containers. Call local authorities to find out about proper disposal.
- Advise everyone who comes into contact with you that you might have been exposed to a toxic substance.
Read more about hazmat issues during recovery.
