Hazardous Material
A hazardous material is any substance or material in a quantity
or form that may pose a reasonable risk to health, the environment,
or property. Hazardous materials risks include incidents involving
substances such as toxic chemicals, fuels, nuclear wastes and/or
products, and other radiological and biological or chemical agents.
In addition to accidental or incidental releases of hazardous materials
due to fixed facility incidents and transportation accidents, Missouri
and the rest of the nation must be read to respond to hazmat releases
due to terrorism. Generally with a fixed facility, the hazards are
pre-identified, and the facility is required by law to prepare a
risk management plan and provide a copy of this plan to the local
emergency planning commission (LEPC) and local fire departments.
Missouri Tier II forms must also be filed with the Missouri
Emergency Response Commission (MERC) at
the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA). For
specific site plans, each county LEPC is required by law to maintain
a copy of these plans.
Each community should educate residents about potential hazardous
materials risks in their neighborhoods and about the steps that
should be taken to minimize the risk to individuals.
Most communities have LEPCs, whose responsibilities include collecting
information about hazardous materials in the community and making
this information available to the public upon request. The LEPCs
contact information can be provided by local emergency management
offices.
The LEPCs are tasked with developing an emergency plan to prepare
for and respond to chemical emergencies in the community. How the
public will be notified, and actions plans in the event of a hazmat
incident are part of the emergency plan.
Preparedness tips before a hazardous materials emergency
Create a plan for you and your family in the case of a hazardous
materials emergency.
- Contact the LEPCs to find out more information about chemical
hazards.
- Ask the LEPCs what needs to be done to minimize the risk to
individuals and the community from these materials.
- Add plastic sheeting, duct tape, and scissors to your disaster
kit supply list.
- Designate a shelter room. This room should be above ground and
have the fewest openings to the outside.
Preparedness tips during a hazardous materials emergency
To report a hazardous substance release, call Missouri Department
of Natural Resources’ Environmental Emergency Response at
(573) 634-2436. The department staffs a 24-hour a day, seven days
a week, hazardous substance spill reporting telephone line to ensure
prompt notification. DNR also has 24/7 on-site response capability.
Duty officers with technical expertise provide spill cleanup advice,
respond to provide cleanup oversight, coordinate private contractors
to clean up hazardous material spills and ensure a proper environmental
cleanup is completed.
In case of a hazardous materials emergency, listen to local radio
or television stations for detailed information and instructions.
Follow these instructions carefully. Remember that some toxic chemicals
are odorless, so be sure to stay away from the contaminated area
to minimize risk for you and your family.
If you are asked to evacuate then:
- Evacuate immediately.
- Stay tuned to local radio or television stations for information
on evacuation routes, temporary shelters, and procedures.
- Follow the routes recommended by the authorities. Shortcuts
may not be safe.
- If there is time, close all windows, vents and turn off attic
fans to minimize contamination in the house.
- Take pre-assembled disaster supplies with you as you evacuate.
- Help any neighbors who may require special assistance.
If you are caught outside then:
- Stay away from accident victims until the hazardous material
has been identified.
- Stay upstream, uphill and upwind.
- Try to go at least one-half mile from the contaminated area.
- Move away from the accident scene and help to keep others away.
- Do not walk into or touch any spilled liquid, 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 dangerous
area.
If you are caught in a motor vehicle then:
- Stop and seek shelter immediately in a permanent building.
- If you must remain in your vehicle, keep windows and vents closed
and shut off the air conditioner and heater.
If you are instructed to stay indoors then:
- Bring all 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 any other 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, then ventilation systems should be turned off.
- Go into the pre-selected shelter room.
- Seal gaps under doorway 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
found around pipes.
- If there is a chance gas or vapors could have entered the building,
take shallow breaths through a cloth or towel.
- Avoid eating or drinking any food or water that may be contaminated.
Preparedness tips after a hazardous materials emergency
Guidelines that should be followed by you and your family following
a hazardous materials emergency include:
- If evacuated, return home only when authorities say it is safe.
- Open windows, vents and turn on fans to provide ventilation.
- Contact local authorities to find out how to clean up your land
and property.
- Report any lingering vapors or other hazards to your local emergency
services offices.
If you have come into contact with or have been exposed to hazardous
chemicals, you should do the following:
- Follow decontamination instructions provided by 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 immediately.
- Place exposed clothing and shoes in tightly sealed containers.
Do not allow them to contact other materials. Call local authorities
to find out about the proper disposal methods for these materials.
- Advise everyone who comes into contact with you that you may
have been exposed to a toxic substance.
Direct Assistance
Direct assistance to individuals and families may come from many
organizations, including:
- Local Emergency Planning Committees
- Your local emergency management office
Also, remember that Missouri DNR’s Environmental Emergency
Response staffs a 24-hour a day, seven days a week, hazardous substance
spill reporting telephone line—(573) 634-2436— to ensure
prompt notification. DNR also has 24/7 on-site response capability.
Duty officers with technical expertise provide spill cleanup advice,
respond to provide cleanup oversight, may deploy state contractors
or other agencies or assets to a clean up hazardous material spills
and ensure a proper environmental cleanup is completed.
Other Resources
Ready.gov - Chemical Threat
Ready.gov is the U.S. Government's foremost resource on emergency
preparedness and disaster readiness for citizens. Learn how to
prepare for a hazardous materials incident.
FEMA.gov - Hazardous Material
Preparedness information and strategies from the Federal Emergency
Management Agency.
University of Missouri Extension: Hazardous Materials
Publications available from the University of Missouri Outreach
& Extension can assist individuals and families in preparing
for hazardous materials incidents.
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