A chemical release can come from an industrial accident, a derailed tank car, a delivered threat or a deliberate attack, and a biological release raises the same early questions. In the first few minutes you will not know which you are dealing with. What you do know is what you need to do next: get away from the source or seal yourself off from it, avoid contact, remove contaminated clothing, wash, and get medical help. This guide covers that sequence for chemical spills and for chemical or biological attacks, because the response to one is largely the response to the other.
Chemical hazards sit alongside other grid-level and human-caused threats in the crisis and medical hub. If the exposure is long-term rather than a single release, see survival strategies for toxic environmental conditions; for the invisible end of the spectrum, prepping for the unseen is the companion piece.
What you are dealing with #
Chemical spills #
Chemical spills happen at industrial facilities, in storage and in transportation accidents. The chemicals involved range from relatively harmless to highly toxic, and the health effects of exposure range from minor irritation to severe respiratory problems or death. It helps to know what is made, stored and shipped near your home. Familiarize yourself with common hazardous materials in your area and what they do to the body.
Chemical attacks #
A chemical attack is the intentional release of a toxic chemical into the environment. Health effects range from mild irritation to severe respiratory distress or death. The agents most often discussed fall into three groups: nerve agents, blister agents and choking agents.
Biological attacks #
A biological attack is the deliberate release of bacteria, viruses or toxins to cause illness or death in people, animals or plants. Biological agents can spread through air, water or food, which makes them a significant public health problem. Unlike a chemical release, effects may not show up for days, so the first sign of an attack may be a cluster of unusual illnesses reported by health authorities rather than anything you see or smell.
Before anything happens #
Make a plan #
Your plan should say what to do if a spill or attack occurs, with evacuation routes, safe shelters and emergency contact information. Make sure every person in the household knows it. Agree on meeting points, and on how you will reach each other if the phone network is jammed.
Build a kit #
The kit does double duty for most emergencies. Include food, water, a first aid kit, a flashlight, batteries, a battery-powered radio and essential medications. Add plastic sheeting and duct tape for sealing a room, a supply of heavy-duty trash bags for contaminated clothing, soap, and spare clothing. Keep the kit easy to reach and make sure everyone knows where it is.
Know where information comes from #
Sign up for alerts from local authorities, and keep a radio that runs on batteries or a hand crank. Knowing what is happening around you helps you decide whether to leave or stay. Follow official sources of information, and watch for developments.
Practice #
Review and update the plan regularly, and run drills with your family. Practicing different scenarios, such as leaving in the middle of the night or sealing a room in minutes, makes your reactions faster and more efficient when it counts.
decide to leave or to stay #
The first decision is whether to evacuate or to shelter in place, and the answer depends on where the hazard is relative to you.
Evacuate if you are in the affected area #
If you are in an area affected by a spill, the most important thing you can do is leave right away. Follow your plan and go as quickly as possible, moving uphill and upwind of the source to avoid contamination. Many chemical vapors are heavier than air and settle in low ground, which is why uphill matters. Do not return until the authorities give the all-clear.
Shelter in place if the hazard is outside #
If you are indoors and the release is outside, staying put may be safer than going out into it. Seek shelter immediately and:
- Stay indoors and close all windows, doors and vents.
- Turn off heating, ventilation and air conditioning to prevent circulation of contaminated air, and close dampers and vents to reduce the entry of outside air.
- Use plastic sheeting and duct tape to seal windows and doors if necessary, and seal any openings where contamination could enter.
- Stay in a sealed room until authorities tell you to evacuate or that it is safe.
- Listen to your emergency radio or television for instructions.
Do not leave your shelter until you receive the all-clear or an order to evacuate.
Avoid contaminated areas and people #
Stay away from the places where an attack or spill occurred, because they may remain contaminated. Do not touch contaminated surfaces, objects or people. If you come into contact with potentially contaminated materials, wash your hands and body thoroughly.
Decontamination #
If you think you have been exposed, decontaminate as soon as you can. The order matters.
Remove contaminated clothing #
Take off contaminated clothing immediately. Cut it off or remove it carefully so it does not pass over your face, and do not shake it, because that releases harmful substances into the air. Seal it in plastic bags.
Wash your body #
Take a shower with soap and water to remove contaminants from your skin and hair. Use tepid water rather than hot, which can open pores and let chemicals or biological agents in. Pay particular attention to areas where contaminants collect, such as under fingernails and in hair.
Clean your belongings #
Wash and rinse personal items, such as eyeglasses, jewelry and electronic devices, with soap and water. A diluted bleach solution or alcohol wipes can disinfect items before you use them again. Throw away anything you cannot clean effectively.
Get checked #
If you have symptoms of exposure, such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, nausea or dizziness, seek medical attention immediately by calling emergency services or going to the nearest healthcare facility. Do not wait for symptoms, either. Even if you feel fine after a spill, get medical attention, because some health effects take time to appear. Tell the medical staff that you may have been exposed to a chemical or biological agent, and which one if you know.
First aid for someone exposed #
If someone near you has been exposed, you can help, but protect yourself first. Do not put yourself at risk of exposure while providing aid.
- Remove contaminated clothing and wash exposed skin with soap and water.
- Provide basic first aid: bandage wounds, apply pressure to stop bleeding, and perform CPR if necessary and safe.
- Call emergency services, such as 911, and tell the dispatcher what kind of incident it is, so the right responders come with the right equipment.
- Follow instructions, and give as much information as you can.
Keeping the group steady #
During an attack or a spill, panic causes more injuries than the substance itself. Remain calm, give clear instructions, and support people who are frightened. If you are sheltering with others, help them seal windows and doors, turn off ventilation systems and gather supplies. Encourage everyone to stay put and follow safety measures until authorities give further instructions, and watch one another for signs of distress or exposure.
What to do afterward #
Once the immediate danger has passed, there is more to do.
- Follow any decontamination procedures that authorities recommend.
- Discard clothing or items that came into contact with the chemical.
- Keep the follow-up medical appointments you were given.
- Photograph property damage and document losses if you intend to file a claim.
The short version #
If you remember nothing else: get out of the area uphill and upwind, or seal yourself in a room; turn off the air handling; take off contaminated clothing and wash; and get medical attention even if you feel well. The rest is preparation, and preparation means a plan, a kit and a practiced habit of listening to the radio.