Public Health Practices

Chemical Emergencies

Events in which the release of a hazardous chemical has the potential for harming people's health. Hazardous chemicals include biotoxins, blister agents/vesicants, blood agents, caustics (acids), choking/lung/pulmonary agents, incapacitating agents, long-acting anticoagulants, metals, nerve agents, organic solvents, riot control agents/tear gas, toxic alcohols, and vomiting agents. Examples of hazardous chemicals include ricin, mustard gas, cyanide, chlorine, mercury, and benzene. For more information, please visit the CDC page on chemical emergencies.

Resource Directories and Medical Management Guidelines for Response to a Chemical Emergency (MI)

Health department preparedness for chemical emergencies often requires the involvement of multiple state agencies to assure that all aspects of environmental and human health are addressed in...

Cross-Border Collaborations Enhance Preparedness at an International Event (WA)

Prior to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Washington State Department of Health (WSDOH) worked with the British Columbia Ministry of Health (BCMOH) to boost cross-border...

Regional Group Prepares First Responders, Businesses, and Residents for Chemical Emergencies (OH)

While emergencies involving the release of chemicals harmful to human health can occur anywhere, they are often of greater concern to industrial communities or communities that have been identified...