From industrial chemicals and toxic waste to household detergents and air fresheners,hazardous materials are part of our everyday lives. The Chemical ManufacturesAssociation estimates that in an average year, one out of every three trains, and one out of every 10 trucks is carrying hazardous materials. These spills can range from a chemical spill on a highway to ground water contamination by naturally occurring methane gas.

Hazardous materials are substances or materials which, because of their chemical, physical or biological nature, pose a potential risk to life, health or property if they are released. Potential hazards can occur during any stage of hazardous materials use: production, storage, transportation, use and disposal.

Production and storage does not occur only in chemical plants: Your local service station's supply of gasoline or diesel fuel can be hazardous, and hospitals regularly store radioactive and flammable materials as well as other hazardous substances used in medical treatments.

Preparing for a hazardous materials incident...

• Know local warning and notification methods used in the event of a hazardous materials incident. These could include; warning sirens or horns, Emergency Broadcast System announcements over broadcast or cable television, or residential route alert.
• Contact local officials for information about where reportable quantities of extremely hazardous substances are stored and where they are used.
• Use this information to evaluate the risk to your family; determine how close you are to freeways, railroads or factories which may carry, generate or dump toxic waste.
• An accident may force you an your family to evacuate immediately for a few hours or several days. Be prepared for this possibility.