A Citizens Guide to Hazardous Materials Emergencies

Hazardous Materials Incident Response

Welcome to the Citizens Guide to Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Emergencies. Hazardous materials are common throughout our community. They are used by industry, business, government, agriculture, and private citizens on a daily basis. Knowing what to do and what not to do when hazardous materials are involved in an emergency can prevent injury and save lives..

Contents

• WHAT ARE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS?
• DID YOU KNOW...
• LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEES
• HAZARDOUS MATERIAL ACCIDENTS
• IF ASKED TO STAY INDOORS ("IN-PLACE SHELTERING")
• IF ASKED TO EVACUATE
• NOTES FOR THE MEDIA IN RESPONSE TO A HAZMAT INCIDENT

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 community 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 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.
• 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.
• 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.

HAZARDOUS MATERIAL INCIDENTS


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 and railways daily, so any area is considered vulnerable to an accident.

What to do:

BEFORE An Incident


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, (Houston or Harris County OEM) 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.

Prepare for the worst. Have disaster supplies on hand.

• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries
• Plastic sheeting pre-cut to fit windows and doors of your safe room
• Duct tape, masking tape, plastic wrap
• Games and other things to keep small children occupied
• First aid kit and manual
• Emergency food and water
• Non electric can opener
• Essential medicines
• Cash and credit cards
• Sturdy shoes
• Blankets, coats, strong clothing

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 An Incident


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

*** Do Not Drive through smoke or clouds at the scene***

they may contain hazardous chemicals!




1. If you see an accident, call 9-1-1 to report the nature and location of the accident as soon as possible.
2. Move away from the accident scene and help keep others away.
3. 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.
4. Stay away from accident victims until the hazardous material has been identified.
5. Try to stay upstream, uphill, and upwind of the accident as hazardous materials can quiickly be transported by water and wind. In general, try to stay at least one-half mile (10 city blocks) from the danger area; for many incidents you will need to go much further.

Assisting Victims

If are not trained in dealing with the hazardous material involved, Don't try to care for victims. If you don't know what the material is, wait until the substance has been identified and authorities indicate it is safe to go near victims. Taking such heroic actions works only in the movies. In real life the result is usually more victims. Once trained professionals have declared it safe to enter, you should:

• 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.

IF ASKED TO SHELTER IN-PLACE


In Houston for emergency information, monitor the local Emergency Alert System (EAS) radio station for updates and remain in shelter until authorities indicate it is safe to come out.

• Houston EAS Stations: KTRH AM 740, KLOL FM 101
  

In January 1997, the Emergency Alert System (EAS) replaced the old EBS or Emergency Broadcast System.

Close all doors to the outside and close and lock all windows (windows sometimes seal better when locked)

Building superintendents should set all ventilation systems to 100 percent recirculation so that no outside air is drawn into the structure. When this is not possible, ventilation systems should be turned off.

Turn off all heating systems.

Turn off all air-conditioners and switch inlets to the "closed" positions.

Seal any gaps around window type air-conditioners with tape and plastic sheeting, wax paper, or aluminum wrap.

Turn off all exhaust fans in kitchens, bathrooms, and other spaces.

Close all fireplace dampers.

Close as many internal doors as possible in your home or other building.

Select a room in the building where occupants can be the most comfortable and which is easy to seal off. This room should, if possible, provide access to water, toilet facilities, and adeqaute room for people to sit or lie down. the room should have a battery powered radio, snack foods, and bottled water.

Use tape and plastic food wrapping (Saran Wrap, Handi Wrap etc.),or aluminum wrap to cover and seal exhaust fan grilles, range vents, dryer vents, and other openings to the outside to the extent possible (including any obvious gaps around external windows and doors).

If the gas or vapor is soluble or even partially soluble in water -- hold a wet cloth or handkerchief over your nose and mouth if the gases start to bother you. For a higher degree of protection, go into the bathroom, close the door, and turn on the shower in a strong spray to "wash" the air. Seal any openings to the outside of the bathroom a best as you can. Don't worry about running out of air to breathe. That is highly unlikely in normal homes and buildings.

If an explosion is possible outdoors -- close drapes, curtains, and shades over windows. Stay away from external windows to prevent potential injury from flying glass.

Minimize the use of elevators in buildings. These tend to "pump" outdoor air in and out of a building as they travel up and down.

Tune into the Emergency Alert System Station on your radio for further information and guidance.

 

IF ASKED TO EVACUATE


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 you are told 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.
• If you have time, minimize contamination in the house by closing all windows, shutting all vents, and turning off attic fans.
• Take your pre-assembled disaster supplies.
• Your pets will also need to evacuate , take them with you.
• Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance--infants, elderly people and people with disabilities.
• Leave as soon as you can.

AFTER the 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.

WORD FOR THE MEDIA RESPONDING TO A HAZMAT INCIDENT

In the past, media people have been injured because they rushed into a hazardous materials situation without the necessary knowledge or respect for the danger involved. We include the following guidelines to help the media representatives make informed judgments relating to their safety.

Hazardous Materials, as defined by the US Department of Transportation, run the gamut from explosives to radioactive to poisons, compressed gases, flammable compressed gases, and combustibles. When approaching an incident involving railroad or highway transportation, there is always a possibility that hazardous materials are involved. The most likely prospect for personal injury comes from releases from tank cars or tank trucks, but hazardous materials are also carried in seavans, container stacks, and inside boxcars.

CHEMTREC, a part of the Chemical Manufacturers Association, offers the following suggestions for consideration when approaching a transportation accident:

• If you are first on the scene, wait for competent authority before approaching too closely.
• Stay upwind at least a quarter of a mile, until identification is made. (This isn't a magic number that guarantees safety; the closer you are the more danger you face)
• Don't have your helicopter pilot fly directly over an incident. The area over site may be contaminated by products of combustion, invisible vapors produced by the materials, and even flammable gases. All of these pose a danger not just to you but also to the people trying to mitigate the incident. Further, emergency crews working on the scene are expecting the wind to be from a certain direction, your helicopter down wash can change this to the detriment of those working the accident. When in doubt ask the incident commander.
• Don't expect immediate answers to all your questions. Even the authorities don't have all of the answers in the early stages of an incident. And don't expect everyone to drop their emergency work simply to answer your questions.
• Hazardous materials can enter your body through the skin, eyes and nose. If you've been exposed to smoke or vapor, decontamination may be necessary. Wash your hands before eating, smoking or attending to personal needs. Flammable vapors can be ignited by the operation of equipment such as radios, television cameras, flashlights, etc. (Keying two-way radios can cause problems; listening should not pose a threat.)
• Equipment can be damaged by fumes. Wrap it in plastic.
• Don't jump to conclusions. Precautions taken at the scene, such as emergency teams wearing protective clothing, do not necessarily mirror the severity of the situation to the potential danger.
• The media have a right to know what is going on and to advised the public accordingly. But this does not include the right to interfere with the activities of those trying to contain the emergency.
• Get acquainted with your local fire/law enforcement officials before the incident, so they can know and understand your interests. Stick with the authorities to get the story.

Page provided as a Community Service to the Citizens of Houston Texas by The Public Education Subcommittee, of the Houston LEPC., Houston Texas

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North Channel LEPC

PO Box 1847

Channelview, TX  77530

(713) 455-5372