During emergencies, such as hurricanes and floods, chemical products may be released from businesses, homes and other sources. This can mean a possible health threat. This document offers information and resources that people may use to protect themselves from dangerous chemical products.
Protect yourself by following this measures
• If you think that a person has been intoxicated by a chemical product, call 911 or the poison control center.
• If you think that an animal has been intoxicated by a chemical product, call the animal poison control center.
• Report spills to local authorities or the EPA, whether oil or any other chemical product.
• Every situation is different. Listen to spots or alerts issued by authorities regarding safe handling and disposal of chemical products. Federal agencies such as the EPA, as well as state and local authorities, will inform communities about chemical products that might have been released into the environment and what measures to take regarding protection.
• When certain chemical products are released, authorities might recommend the public to stay away from an area or, depending on their location, ask them to evacuate or take shelter within their home. Watch for local announcements about what to do.
• Federal, state and local personnel will be working to establish cleaning programs, and even waste collection and disposal programs, after an emergency. These efforts may not be available in every community until after several days or weeks.
• Meanwhile, take the necessary cautions and report any concern to local environment, health and waste disposal authorities.
• Rinse your skin if you think that you have touched any dangerous material. If you are in contact with a dangerous chemical substance, it might be necessary to take your clothes off immediately, dispose of it and then wash yourself. Taking your clothes off and washing your body will reduce or eliminate the chemical substance and cease to be a danger. This process is called decontamination.
Learn about chemical product resources available in your community
Learn about resources and conditions related to chemical products in your area and take necessary measures to protect your health when you return home after and emergency. During an emergency, the following sources release chemical products more frequently: businesses and companies (such as chemical product plants and oil refineries), storage tanks, farming facilities and houses.
Types and amounts of released chemical products depend of several factors, such as (1) the type of facilities in the area, (2) the type of chemical products produced or stored in the affected facilities and houses, (3) structural damage to facilities and houses, (4) weather conditions and (5) severity of the flood. The amount of released chemical products may be larger around industrial-type sources.
Safely dispose of chemical products in your home
People may be exposed to dangerous chemical products by common use items such as domestic cleaners, fertilizers and pesticides that may spill inside and near the home as a result of an emergency. Check for any leaking or open container and reactive chemical products, such as abrasive drain cleaners and bleachers, and take the following cautions necessary to avoid injury or major damage.
• Keep children and animals away from leaking or spilt chemical products.
• Do not mix chemical products in leaking or damaged containers, this may lead to a dangerous reaction.
• Do not dispose of chemical products in drains, storm sewage or toilets.
• Do not attempt to burn domestic chemical products.
• Place identification labels and set apart containers that are not broken until they can be disposed of appropriately.
• If possible, do not touch or move damaged or unlabeled chemical product containers.
Stay away from oil spills
Crude oil is a mix of chemical products that may get released to the environment during a hurricane or flood emergency. When a flood occurs, some parts of the oil will float on the water and may be seen as a layer in the surface, and other parts will go to the bottom. Other parts of the oil may turn into gas. People might be in contact with these chemical products if they have skin contact or breathe them in. If you see oil in the water, stay away or get in touch with local authorities or the EPA. Emergency specialists must wear appropriate clothes and personal protection equipment when performing tasks under these dangerous conditions.
