Hazards Terrorism Transportation Accidents Hazardous Materials Releases General King County has one of the highest probabilities in Washington State for being the scene of a significant hazardous materials release. Hazardous materials are transported over or near numerous bodies of waters, wetlands, environmentally sensitive areas, and through numerous densely populated centers. This is directly related to the high level of diverse industrial facilities and transportation routes passing through and terminating in our county. Natural disasters like floods and earthquakes might also result in spills. Illegal drug labs and dumping present yet another concern.
Recent history shows an increase in the threat from terrorist use of hazardous materials.
The combination of possible sources of exposure to our sizable population and workforce presents complex problems to responders. It is difficult to find a home, school, hospital or place of business in our modern society that is not vulnerable to the possibility of a hazardous materials release. King County includes one of the largest deepwater seaports on the west coast. SeaTac Airport handles cargoes from all over the world. Fuel pipelines run through the county from Whatcom County toward Portland carrying jet fuels, diesel, gasoline, etc.