From industrial chemicals and toxic waste to household detergents and air fresheners, hazardous materials are part of our everyday lives. Affecting urban, suburban and rural areas, hazardous materials incidents can range from a chemical spill on a highway to groundwater contamination by naturally occurring methane gas. Hazardous materials are substances, which, because of their chemical, physical or biological nature, pose a potential risk to life, health or property if they are released.
Hazards can exist during production, storage, transportation, use or disposal.
What to do in a hazardous materials incident If you witness a hazardous materials accident, call 911, your local emergency notification number or the fire department. If you hear a warning signal, listen to local radio or television stations for further information. Follow instructions carefully. Stay away from the incident site to minimize the risk of contamination. If you are in a car, close windows and shut off ventilation.