HAZMAT AND CHEMICAL THREAT

A hazardous material or chemical emergency occurs when a hazardous chemical has been released and the release has the potential for harming people's health. Chemical releases can be unintentional, as in the case of an industrial accident, or intentional, as in the case of a terrorist attack.

Some hazardous chemicals such as nerve agents, mustards and choking agents have been developed by military organizations.  It is possible that terrorists could get a hold of these chemical warfare agents and use them to attack on U.S. soil.

There are also many other harmful chemicals that we use for agriculture, cleaning, and industry.  These chemicals are transported, often in bulk, all over the country.  A hazardous material emergency could, and has, come in the form of an accident during transportation or a chemical plant accident.

If there is a “code red” or “severe” terror alert, you should pay close attention to the television or radio to find out if there is a “shelter-in-place” alert for your area.  If you are forced to shelter-in-place, you should:

• Go inside as quickly as possible. Bring any outdoor pets indoors.
• If there is time, close and lock all outside doors and windows. Locking them may pull the door or window tighter and make a better seal against the chemical. Turn off the air conditioner or heater. Turn off all fans, too. Close the fireplace damper and any other place that air can come in from outside.
• Go in the shelter-in-place room and shut the door.
• Turn on the radio. Keep a telephone close at hand, but don’t use it unless there is a serious emergency.
• Sink and toilet drain traps should have water in them (you can use the sink and toilet as you normally would). If it is necessary to drink water, drink stored water, not water from the tap.
• Tape plastic sheeting over any windows in the room. Use duct tape around the windows and doors and make an unbroken seal. Use the tape over any vents into the room and seal any electrical outlets or other openings.
• Do not use gas lanterns, stove, heaters or candles.  These will dramatically increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.  If the power goes out, use only battery-operated lights.
• If you are away from your shelter-in-place location when a chemical event occurs, follow the instructions of emergency coordinators to find the nearest shelter. If your children are at school, they will be sheltered there. Unless you are instructed to do so, do not try to get to the school to bring your children home. Transporting them from the school will put them, and you, at increased risk.
• Keep listening to the radio or television for an announcement that the area is safe.  You can expect to be in the room for several hours.  After that amount of time, contaminated air may have begun to infiltrate the area. It may be safer to leave the shelter and evacuate.
• When you leave the shelter, follow instructions from local emergency coordinators to avoid any contaminants outside.

 If you hear of a potential hazardous material event and have not yet been told what to do, immediately place your evacuation supplies in your vehicle so that they are ready in case you are forced to leave in a hurry. 

If you are told to evacuate, do so immediately. 

If you have children in school, be sure that you have checked with the school so that you know the evacuation sites.  During hazardous materials emergencies, evacuation sites may change without notice.  This is why your children should be carrying their emergency information cards.

If you have heard no warnings but you and/or others are experiencing symptoms such as watering eyes, twitching, choking, having trouble breathing and loss of coordination; or if you notice many sick or dead birds, fish or small animals, you may be experiencing exposure to a chemical agent.  If this is the case, you should:

• Quickly try to define the impacted area or where the chemical is coming from, if possible.
• Take immediate action to get away.
• If the chemical is inside a building where you are, get out of the building without passing through the contaminated area, if possible.
• If you can't get out of the building or find clean air without passing through the area where you see signs of a chemical attack, it may be better to move as far away as possible and shelter-in-place.
• If you are outside, quickly decide the fastest way to find clean air. Consider if you can get out of the area or if you should go inside the closest building and "shelter-in-place."

If you have been exposed to a chemical, you should:

• Strip immediately and wash.
• Look for a hose, fountain, or any source of water, and wash with soap if possible, being sure not to scrub the chemical into your skin.
• Be sure that any fresh clothing has not been exposed to the chemical.
• Seek emergency medical attention.