Hazardous Materials

Hazardous materials include explosive, flammable, combustible, corrosive, oxidizing, toxic, infectious or radioactive materials. While industry is the primary user and maintainer of many hazardous materials, they can also be found in our homes, vehicles, workplaces and recreational facilities. Hazardous materials also move through our area on highways, rail lines, and pipelines.

Hazardous material incidents can happen during their production, storage, transportation, use or disposal and their potential for harm exists regardless of whether they are released by accident, malicious actor, fire, or weather-related event. If released, these materials can pose a potential risk to life, health, the environment, and property.

The effect that a hazardous material may have on our bodies depends on its nature, strength (e.g. concentration) and the length of time that we are exposed to it. Depending on material involved, exposure to them could result in any single or combination of the following health effects:

  • Burns due to fire, explosion or frostbite
  • Asphyxiation by reducing the amount of oxygen in the room or immediate area
  • Toxic or poisonous effects on the body
  • Exposure to a harmful pathogen (e.g. bacteria, virus, biological toxin)
  • Physical harm such as being struck with fragments or debris from an explosion
  • Exposure to harmful ionizing radiation
Stay Informed
Hazardous materials are often identifiable by the placard or symbol on the container or packaging label holding the material. These markers are used to help understand the characteristics of the material contained so that appropriate precautions, response and treatments can be applied in the event of a release or exposure. The links below provide more information on these symbols and what they mean:

Safety Data Sheets should also be readily accessible in your workplace for all hazardous products. These contain safe handling and emergency measures to protect workers from the product.

In the event of a hazardous material incident, emergency responders will work with the person or company in control or custody of the material to notify the public and take appropriate actions (e.g. control the release, clean-up). Public notifications may be issued using a variety of media (e.g. media release, social media posts) and communication methods (e.g. door to door, Alert Ready) based on the scale and severity of the incident.
Before
  • Know how to operate your home’s ventilation system as it may have to be turned off in the event of an airborne release.
  • Learn where and how to shelter-in-place and include necessary supplies to do so in your emergency kit and vehicle emergency kit.
  • Understand what is required to evacuate and what to bring with you.
  • Apply and practice the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) at your workplace.
  • Take the following precautions to prevent home accidents:
    1. Buy only as much chemical as you think you will use.
    2. Keep products containing hazardous materials in their original containers and never remove the labels unless the container is corroding. Corroding containers should be repackaged and clearly labeled. Never store hazardous products in food containers.
    3. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the proper use of household chemicals.
    4. Never mix household hazardous chemicals or waste with other products. Incompatibles may react, ignite, or explode.
    5. Never smoke while using household chemicals.
    6. Never use hair spray, cleaning solutions, paint products, or pesticides near an open flame such as a pilot light, lighted candle, fireplace, or wood burning stove. Although you may not be able to see or smell them, vapors in the air could catch fire or explode.
    7. Clean up any chemical spill immediately. Wear gloves and eye protection.
    8. Dispose of hazardous materials correctly.
    9. Keep all medicines, cosmetics, cleaning products, and other household chemicals out of sight and out of reach of children and use child-resistant packaging. Replace the caps tightly after using the product.
    10. Learn to recognize the common symptoms of toxic poisoning such as:
      • Difficulty breathing
      • Irritation of the eyes, skin, throat or respiratory tract
      • Changes in skin color
      • Headache or blurred vision
      • Dizziness
      • Clumsiness or lack of coordination
      • Cramps or diarrhea
    11. Be prepared to seek medical assistance - post the number of the emergency medical services and the poison control center (1-844-764-7669) by all telephones.
During
  • Follow the directions of local authorities as they will be better able to determine if evacuation or sheltering-in-place is necessary based on their assessment of the situation. Remember that some toxic chemicals are odorless and/or not visible. Instructions may differ from persons located in other areas depending on the threat and risk of exposure. Turn off natural gas, electricity and water if directed to do so by authorities.
  • If the material is inside your building, get out of the building without passing through the contaminated area, if possible.
  • If you can't get out of the building or find clean air without passing through the affected area, move as far away as possible and shelter-in-place in an above ground room with as few openings as possible.
  • If you are outside during the incident, quickly decide what is the fastest way to find clean air. Move away immediately to get upwind, upstream and uphill of the source. If you are within the plume/cloud of the release, move perpendicular to the source. Cover mouth and nose with a dry cloth. Distance yourself from incident and plume getting at least a few city blocks away to start or as otherwise directed by emergency responders. Evacuation distances will be determined by emergency responders based on the material involved and weather conditions.
  • If you are in a vehicle, stop and find shelter in a permanent building if possible. If you must remain in your vehicle, keep the windows and vents closed and shut off the air conditioner and heater.
  • Pay attention to local media for current emergency information and instructions.
After
  • Do not leave the safety of a shelter to go outdoors, including to help others, until authorities say it is safe to do so.
  • If you have evacuated, return home only when authorities say it is safe. Open windows and vents and turn on fans to provide ventilation.
  • If you have or believe you have been exposed to a hazardous substance, decontamination might be required by emergency responders or healthcare providers before you can receive medical attention. Follow their instructions to ensure you decontaminate properly and avoid potentially exposing others.
  • Seek medical treatment for unusual symptoms as soon as possible.
  • Evaluate your emergency plan and restock your emergency kit.
Additional Resources