Hazardous Materials Safety

All Hazards Guide in Web Format!

HAZMAT Internet Sites
                        State Emergency Response Commission
                        Florida Department of Environmental Protection
                        SW Florida Regional Planning Council Hazardous Material Planning

                        FEMA : Hazardous Materials Fact Sheet
                        FEMA: Hazardous Materials in the Home
                        Chemical Manufacturers Association (CMA)
                        University of Akron : Hazardous Chemical Database
                        Hazardous Materials Information Exchange (HMIX)
                        Right to Know (RTK) Net
                        LEPC/SERC Net

Modern life is made possible by the carefully controlled use of potentially deadly chemicals: fuels, solvents, purifiers, cleaners, pesticides, herbicides; and many of these chemicals are found in small amounts in every home.  We've come to trust these materials, and feel comfortable with them, and may not realize they are still potential killers.

Every day our highways carry larger shipments of hazardous materials, including explosives and even nuclear materials...and do it safely.

Hazardous materials are chemicals which can be harmful to human health, and possibly the environment.  Usually they are transported or used in complete safety.  Occasionally though, there are accidents.  In Bhopal, India, a release of methyl isocyanate killed over 2,000 people in the 1980s.  In the 1940s, an ammonium nitrate explosion literially levelled Texas City, Texas.  In 1988, a smaller ammonium nitrate explosion killed several fire fighters and levelled buildings over a wide area in Kansas City.  Three days later, a methyl bromide release in rural Collier County sent 11 emergency responders to the hospital.  Every day across the country, people are injured because materials kept in the home didn't react as expected.

A quiz:

Large scale hazardous material spills & releases
 

Which of the following are dangerous substances:

• Household ammonia
• Pool chlorine
• Baking soda
• lighter fluid
• weed killer
• gasoline
• motor oil
• paint
• fertilizer
• drain opener
• bug spray
• nail polish remover
• cleaning rags
• LP gas
• muriatic acid

Actually, this was a trick quiz.  EVERTYHING on the list above could be dangerous!  Some, on their own, are not a problem (such as baking soda).  When mixed with other chemicals (such as ammonia) a serious health risk is possible.

• Ammonia: dilute in normal home use, but in closed spaces fumes can be a problem.  VERY reactive with some other substances!
• Pool chlorine: strong, potentially deadly fumes, and highly corrosive
• lighter fluid: highly flammable
• weed killer: toxic through ingestion, but also by absorption through the skin
• gasoline: flammable, explosive, and fumes can travel fairly long distances to ingition sources
• motor oil: combustible
• paint: flammable
• fertilizer: toxic, possible flammable or explosive
• drain opener: highly toxic, caustic and corrosive
• bug spray: toxic by inhalation or absorption
• nail polish remover: flammable
• cleaning rags: may contain combustible or flammable liquids
• LP gas: highly flammable to explosive
• muriatic acid: corrosive and an inhalation hazard

Read all directions carefully, and follow them!  Store safely, keeping reactive chemicals away from those it reacts with.  Keep all chemicals away from children, and teach them not to touch them.  Pay attention to first aid directions on every container.  Store in proper marked containers.  Do NOT mix chemicals!  Keep the number of your local poison control center handy near your telephone.

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)
DOT's Office of Hazardous Materials Safety
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
Other technological hazard links

Significant releases of hardous materials are rare incidents, but can happen.  Storage and manufaturing facilities, utility plants, commercial businesses, and farms may all use materials that are very dangerous if released.  Should a release occur which threatens your location, you will be notified by public safety agencies through the local media.  FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY!  You may have little time to react.  Some materials are so deadly that a few drops, or one breath of fumes, is fatal.  Don't take chances.

If instructed to evacuate, do so quickly and follow instructions of public safety officials.  You may be directed to take shelter where you are.  If so, close ALL windows and doors; turn off air conditioners.  If necessary, use towerls or blanets to seal aroind doors and windows.

DO NOT GO OUTSIDE OR OPEN DOORS AND WINDOWS UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD IT IS SAFE TO DO SO.

• Nuclear power plants
 
United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
NRC Nuclear Plant Information Books

There are three nuclear power plants in the state of Florida: Crystal River #3 (Citrus County, north of Tampa), St. Lucie #1 and #2 (north of Palm Beach), and Turkey Point #3 and #4 (south of Miami).  An accidental release at any of these plants, even under the worst case conditions, would NOT spread dangerous radioactivity over southwest Florida.  However, we might receive evacuees from Dade County in the event of a problem at Turkey Point.  These evacuees would be sheltered here until it is safe for them to return to their homes.  Dairy and vegetable products from the risk areas would not be permitted to enter into our county.
 

• Radioactive materials
 
It is possible that a transporation accident could be a radioactive health risk, but the chances are very small.  Some low level radioactive waste products used in medical facilities are routinely carried over highways all over the world, including our area.  Hazardous materials are heavily overpacked, and quantities are carefully limited.  All are to be clearly marked "RADIOACTIVE" with black markings on a yellow or white background.

If you should see such a package which has been involved in an accident, simply move away from it, and be sure emergency responders know of its presence.  Do not attempt to move it yourself.

Packaging of radioactive materials is highly regulated by federal law and is very strong, compared to its contents.  Still, it's better to leave recovery to the trained experts!

Emergency Management Home Page