Lane County Public Health Department

Chemical Emergency

General Information
A chemical emergency occurs when a hazardous chemical has been released and the release has the potential for harming human health. Chemical releases can be unintentional, as in the case of an industrial accident, train derailment, traffic accident, or intentional. LCPH chemical emergency plans support local response plans related to a chemical emergency or accidental chemical release that could cause disruption of normal medical, commercial and governmental services.

Links on this Page
Basic Information
Decontamination
Information for Healthcare Professionals
Further Information
Contact

Basic Information on Chemical Emergencies
Basic chemical emergency information from the Centers for Disease Control and Protection can be found by following the links regarding  general and chemical-specific fact sheets and toxicology FAQs.

Decontamination
Coming in contact with a dangerous chemical may make it necessary for you to remove and dispose of your clothing right away and then wash yourself. Removing your clothing and washing your body will reduce or remove the chemical so that it is no longer a hazard. This process is called decontamination .

Information for Healthcare Professionals

• Poison Control Centers 1-800-222-1222 
• NIOSH – Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
• Emergency Response Cards – for Chemical Agents
• Emergency Room Procedures – in Chemical Hazard Emergencies A Job Aid
• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry – Medical Management Guidelines for Unidentified Chemicals
• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry – Managing Hazardous Material Incidents
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Medical Management Guidelines for Chemical Agents
• Response Protocols for Medical Facilities
• Response Protocols for Clinical Laboratories
• Patient Decontamination Recommendations for Hospitals Emergency Medical Services Authority    ( California ). July 2005

Further Information

Lane County

LCPH Programs

• Emergency Preparedness Program
• Emergency Preparedness - Tools & Checklists

State

• National Pesticide Information Center – Oregon State University & EPA
• Chemical Terrorism - Oregon State Laboratory Response Network (LRN) Preparedness

National

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Chemical Emergencies
• List of Chemical Names and Synonyms – CDC
• Recognition of Chemical Associated Gastrointestinal Foodborne Illness – CDC
• Federal Emergency Management Agency – Household Chemical Emergency
• Managing Hazardous Material Incidents  – Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
• Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisonings – Environmental Protection Agency

Organizations

• Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides (NCAP)
• Pesticide Emergency Resources – Oregon State University & EPA

Contact

Phone: (541) 682-4008
Program Coordinator:  Brian K Johnson

LCPH services are available regardless of age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and marital status.  LCPH facilities are wheelchair accessible. LCPH materials are available upon request in alternative formats such as: large print, Braille and other languages.