Hazardous Materials

Chemicals can be hazardous to humans or the environment if used or released improperly. Risks can occur during production, storage, transportation, use, or disposal. Hazardous materials in various forms can cause death, serious injury, long-lasting health effects and damage to buildings, homes and other property. Many products containing hazardous chemicals are used and stored in the community or are shipped daily on the nation’s highways, railroads, waterways and pipelines.

Did you know that…

• Hazardous materials are manufactured, used or stored at an estimated 4.5 million facilities in the United States
• Trucks, railcars, and other containers that carry hazardous materials must be marked with diamond-shaped signs coded by color and symbols identifying the type of hazardous materials they contain
• Propane tanks must be qualified to be safe within 12 years of manufacture, as poorly maintained tanks can rupture causing catastrophic damage

If a hazard is reported near your home:

• Close and lock all exterior doors and windows. Close vents, fireplace dampers, and as many interior doors as possible.
• Turn off air conditioners and ventilation systems.
• Go into a pre-selected shelter room above ground that has the fewest openings to the outside.
• Seal the shelter room by covering each window, door, and vent using plastic sheeting and duct tape.
• After the emergency, ventilate your home to avoid breathing contaminated air still inside.

Nuclear Power Plant Incidents

Parts of Long Island are within 50 miles of either nuclear power stations in Connecticut or Westchester County. If an accident at a nuclear power plant were to release radiation in our area,

• Local authorities would activate warning sirens or another approved alert method.
• Long Islanders would be instructed through the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on local television
  and radio stations on how to protect yourself.