Hazardous Materials
Modern life is made possible by the carefully controlled use of potentially deadly chemicals: fuels, solvents, purifiers, cleaners, pesticides and herbicides, and many of these chemicals are found in small amounts in every home. We’ve come to trust these materials and may not realize that they are potential killers.
Every day our highways carry large shipments of hazardous materials, including explosives and even nuclear materials, and do it safely.
Hazardous materials are chemicals or substances 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 1988 a smaller ammonium nitrate explosion killed several fire fighters and leveled buildings over a wide area near 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.
Did you know these could be dangerous substances?
- Household Ammonia
- Chlorine (Pool)
- Baking Soda
- Lighter Fluid
- Weed Killer
- Gasoline
- Motor Oil
- Paint
- Fertilizer
- Drain Opener
- Bug Spray
- Nail Polish Remover
- Cleaning Rags
- LP Gas (Grill)
- Muriatic Acid (Pool)
All could be dangerous, though some would have to be mixed with others to cause a health risk. Most of the others have a risk that is obvious, once you think about it.
- Ammonia: dilute, but in closed spaces fumes can be a problem. Very reactive with some other substances.
- Pool chlorine: fumes, corrosive.
- Lighter fluid: Highly flammable.
- Weed killer: toxic by ingestion or absorption through skin.
- Gasoline: flammable explosive. Ignitable fumes travel.
- Motor oil: combustible.
- Cleaning rags: may contain combustible or flammable liquids.
- LP Gas: highly flammable to explosive.
- Drain openers: highly toxic, caustic, corrosive.
- Bug spray: toxic by inhalation or absorption.
- Nail polish remover: flammable.
- Paint: flammable.
- Fertilizer: toxic, possibly flammable.
- Muriatic acid: corrosive, inhalation hazard.
Read ALL directions carefully and follow them. Store safely, away from children. Pay attention to first aid directions. Don’t mix chemicals! Keep the number of your local poison control center handy.
Major Hazardous Material Spills/Releases
Significant releases of hazardous materials are rare incidents, but can happen. Storage and manufacturing 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 media. FOLLOW THEIR 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 towels or blankets to seal around doors and windows.
DO NOT GO OUTSIDE OR OPEN DOORS OR WINDOWS UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD IT IS SAFE TO DO SO.
Nuclear Power Plants
There are three nuclear power plants in the state of Florida: one at Crystal River, north of Tampa; St. Lucie, north of Palm Beach; and the other at Turkey Point, south of Miami.
An accidental release at any of these plants, even under worst-case conditions, should not spread dangerous radioactivity over South Florida. However, we might receive evacuees from surrounding areas 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.
Radioactive Materials
It is possible that a transportation 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. Hazardous materials are securely packed 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 that 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 trained experts!