Emergency Preparedness Program

 

Get Informed: Chemical Threat

Chemicals play important roles in our everyday lives. They are found in a wide range of household and commercial products that can be lifesaving as well as hazardous to our health. When used properly, the chemicals normally found in a home pose little threat. When used improperly, in adverse conditions, or for jobs for which they were not intended, chemicals can be harmful, even deadly. 

Accidents happen and terrorists may use chemicals as weapons. Knowing how to handle chemical products and how to react if an emergency should occur can reduce the risk of injury.

Prevent a home chemical emergency:

A home chemical emergency arises when chemicals are spilled, accidentally released or used improperly. The best way to avoid chemical accidents is to read and follow the directions for use, storage, and disposal on the chemical's label.

• Read the instructions before using a new chemical product.
• Store household chemicals according to the instructions on the product's label - in a safe, secure location, preferably up high and always out of the reach of children.
• Avoid mixing household chemical products. Deadly toxic fumes can result from the mixing chemicals, such as chlorine bleach and ammonia.
• Dispose of chemicals according to the instructions on the product’s label.
• Never smoke while using household chemicals. Avoid using hair spray, cleaning solutions, paint products, or pesticides near an open flame, pilot
  light, lighted candle, fireplace, wood-burning stove, etc. Although you may not be able to see or smell them, vapor particles in the air could catch fire or explode.
• Clean up spilled chemicals immediately with rags. Protect your eyes and skin by wearing gloves and goggles or safety glasses. Allow the fumes in the rags to evaporate outdoors, and then dispose of the rags by wrapping them in newspaper, placing them in a sealed plastic bag, and putting them outside in your trash can.
• Buy only as much of a chemical as you think you will use. If some of the chemical is left over, try to give it to someone who will use it or dispose of it
  according to the instructions. Storing hazardous chemicals increases the risk of chemical emergencies.
• Keep an A-B-C-rated fire extinguisher in your home. Get training from your local fire department in how to use it. (See Fire Extinguishers)
• Protect your pets and other animals from possible exposure to all chemicals.
• Post by all telephones the Poison Control Center number (1-800-222-1222), the Animal Poison Control Center number (1-888-426-4435), and your local emergency number (911).
  

How can I properly dispose of household hazardous waste?

Disposing household hazardous wastes improperly causes danger to humans, animals, sanitation systems and the environment. Click here for a Macomb County household hazardous waste collection schedule.

 

What are the signs of chemical poisoning?

Depending on the chemical, an accidental or intentional release may have an immediate effect (a few seconds to a few minutes) or a delayed effect (2 to 48 hours). Signs of chemical poisoning may include:

     Symptoms of contact with a blister agent:

• Contact with this type of chemical causes blistering on the skin and in the nose, mouth, and throat.
• Symptoms may occur immediately or may take up to 24 hours to appear.
• First symptoms may include red, itchy, or painful skin, followed by blisters.
• Later symptoms may include pain or swelling in the eyes and lungs, tears in the eyes, and trouble breathing. 

     Symptoms of contact with a blood agent:

• Contact with this type of chemical deprives the blood and organs of oxygen.
• Symptoms may occur immediately or may take up to 24 hours to appear. 
• In general, symptoms may include rapid breathing, nausea, convulsions, and loss of consciousness.

     Symptoms of contact with a nerve agent:

• Contact with this type of chemical can damage the nervous system and affect movement and breathing.
• Symptoms may appear immediately or up to 18 hours later.
• Symptoms include seizures, drooling, eye irritations, sweating or twitching, blurred vision, and muscle weakness

    Symptoms of contact with a choking agent:

• This type of chemical attacks the respiratory system and causes difficulty breathing.
• Symptoms may occur immediately or may take 24 to 48 hours to appear. 
• In general, symptoms may include coughing; burning in the eyes, nose, or throat; blurred vision; upset stomach; fluid in the lungs; and difficulty breathing.

What should I do for a home chemical emergency?

1. Find the container the chemical came in and take it to the telephone. (Medical professionals may need specific information from the container to give you the best emergency advice.)
2. Call 911 or the Poison Control Center, 1-800-222-1222.  If your pet appears to have been exposed to a poison or other toxin, call your veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center, 1-888-426-4435.
3. Follow the instructions of the Poison Control Center operator and/or the EMS dispatcher carefully .
4. Do not give anything by mouth unless directed by medical professionals.
5. If a chemical has come in contact with the eyes, flush eyes with clean water for 15 minutes or as directed.
6. If a person is burned by chemicals, immediately administer first aid.
   • Remove clothing and jewelry from around the injury.
   • Pour clean, cool water over the burn for 15 to 30 minutes.
   • Loosely cover the burn with a sterile or clean dressing so it will not stick to the burn.
7. If there is danger of a chemical fire or explosion, get out of the house/building immediately.
   • Do not waste time collecting items or calling the fire department.
   • Once you are safely away from danger, call the fire department from outside using a cell phone or a neighbor’s telephone.
   • Stay upwind and away from the building to avoid breathing toxic fumes.

      For More Information:  Household Chemical Emergency (FEMA)

 

In the event of a major chemical emergency or attack:

A chemical release or terrorist attack could come without warning. You will probably learn of the danger through an emergency radio or TV broadcast. You should watch TV, listen to the radio, or check the Internet for official news, including:

1. Are you in the group or area authorities consider in danger?

2. Should you shelter-in-place or evacuate? For how long?

3. Where should you get emergency medical care / decontamination if you are exposed?

It is important to follow the instructions of health and medical officials. If they advise to shelter-in-place, do not leave the safety of a shelter to go outdoors to help others until authorities announce it is safe to do so.  (See Shelter in Place in Chemical Emergency)

Decontamination Guidelines

Decontamination is needed within minutes of exposure to a chemical agent to minimize the health consequences. If medical help is not immediately available, decontaminate yourself, then assist in decontaminating others. Exposed pets and livestock will also need decontamination. Use extreme caution when helping others who have been exposed to chemical agents.

1. Remove all clothing and other items in contact with the body. Cut off clothing normally removed over the head to avoid contact with the eyes, nose and mouth.

2. Gently wash exposed parts of body with soapy water and rinse thoroughly.

3. If chemical has come in contact with the eyes, flush eyes with clean water for 15 minutes or as directed.

4. Remove eyeglasses or contact lenses. Put glasses in a pan of household bleach to decontaminate, and then rinse and dry them.

5. Change into uncontaminated clothes. Clothing stored in drawers or closets is likely to be uncontaminated.

6. Put contaminated clothing and items into a plastic bag and seal it. Put the bag inside another bag, seal tightly and place in an area unlikely to cause further human or animal exposure. Ask authorities for disposal instructions.

7. Proceed to a medical facility for screening and professional treatment.

     For More Information: Facts About Personal Cleaning and Disposal of Contaminated Clothing (CDC)

 

Learn More:

General Information

• Be Informed – Chemical Threat (Ready.gov)
• Chemical Emergencies (CDC)

 

 

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Information is not intended to be a substitute for appropriate medical advice. Links to external sites do not constitute endorsements by Macomb County.

Information adapted from Talking About Disaster: Guide for Standard Messages, produced by the National Disaster Education Coalition, Washington, D.C. and Chemical Terrorism and Chemical Emergencies, produced by the Michigan Department of Community Health Office of Public Health Preparedness