&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Solid Waste
and Emergency Response
(5104)
EPA EPA-F-99-006
June 1999
www.epa.gov/ceppo/
Use Multiple Data Sources
for Safer Emergency
Response
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing this Alert as part of its ongoing effort
to protect human health and the environment by preventing chemical accidents. EPA is striving
to learn the causes and contributing factors associated with chemical accidents and to prevent
their recurrence. Major chemical accidents cannot be prevented solely through command and
control regulatory requirements. Rather, understanding the fundamental root causes, widely
disseminating the lessons learned, and integrating these lessons learned into safe operations is
also required. EPA publishes Alerts to increase awareness of possible hazards. It is important
that facilities, SERCs, LEPCs, emergency responders and others review this information and take
appropriate steps to minimize risk.
ACCIDENTS
In May 1997, a massive explosion and fire
occurred at an agricultural chemical packaging
facility in eastern Arkansas. Prior to the
explosion, employees observed smoke in a
back warehouse and evacuated. The facility
called local responders and asked for help to
control smoldering inside a pesticide
container. The local fire department rapidly
responded and reviewed the smoldering
product's MSDS. The MSDS lacked
information on decomposition temperatures or
explosion hazards. The firefighters decided to
investigate the building. While they were
approaching, a violent explosion occurred.
Fragments from a collapsing cinder block wall
killed three fire fighters and seriously injured
a fourth.
In April 1995, an explosion and fire at a
manufacturing facility in Lodi, New Jersey
caused the death of five responders. The
explosion occurred while the company was
blending aluminum powder, sodium
hydrosulfite, and other ingredients. Even
though the material was water reactive, the
MSDS for the product advised the use of a
"water spray... to extinguish fire." The
recommendation in the MSDS for "small fires"
was to flood with water; however, "small fire"
was not defined, the amount of water necessary
was not specified, and no information dealt
with how to respond to large fires (which can
occur during blending processes).
PROBLEM
A critical consideration when
choosing a response strategy is
the safety of emergency
responders. Adequate
information about on-site
chemicals can make a big
difference when choosing a safe
response strategy. This
information must include: name,
toxicity, physical and chemical
characteristics, fire and reactivity
hazards, emergency response
procedures, spill control, and
protective equipment.
Generally, responders rely
primarily on Material Safety
Data Sheets (MSDSs)
maintained at the facility.
However, MSDSs may not
provide sufficient information to
effectively and safely respond to
accidental releases. This Alert is
designed to increase awareness
of MSDS limitations, so that
first responders can take proper
precautions, and identify
additional sources of chemical
information, which could help
prevent death or injury.
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Use Multiple Data Sources for Emergency Response
June 1999
The MSDS ONLY described the hazards
associated with the product. In this case,
responders needed information on the hazards
associated with the reactivity during the blending
process (which was significantly different from
the product).
Emergency responders should note that the
chemical information provided on an MSDS
usually presents the hazards associated with that
particular product. Once the product is placed in
a process some factors may change, resulting in
the increase/decrease, or elimination of hazards.
These factors may include reactions with other
chemicals and changes in temperature, pressure,
and physical/chemical characteristics.
MSDSs in the WORKPLACE
In 1988, the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) required facilities storing
or using hazardous chemicals to comply with the
Hazard Communication Standard. This standard
requires employers to provide employees with an
MSDS for every hazardous chemical present
onsite, and to train those employees to properly
recognize the hazards of the chemicals and to
handle them safely.
MSDSs normally provide information on the
physical/chemical characteristics and first aid
procedures. This information is valuable for
employees to safely work with the chemical.
However, the content for MSDSs on emergency
response procedures, fire, and reactive hazards
may be insufficient for local responder use in
OSHA requires that MSDSs include:
# Chemical identity (product by chemical and
common names);
# Chemical and common names of all hazardous
ingredients;
# Physical and chemical characteristics (such as
vapor pressure, flash, boiling or freezing
points);
# Fire and explosion hazards;
# Reactivity hazards (how will the chemical
react with other chemicals, air, or water);
# Health hazards (acute and chronic, symptoms
of exposure);
# Precautions for safe handling; and
# Control measures.
The MSDS also must include the name and telephone
number of the individual who can provide additional
information on appropriate emergency procedures.
an emergency situation. Vagueness, technical
jargon, understandability, product vs. process
concerns, and missing information on an MSDS
may increase the risk to emergency responders.
MSDSs are provided by manufacturers, importers
and/or distributors. MSDS chemical hazard
information can vary substantially depending on
the provider. Sometimes this discrepancy is due to
different testing procedures. However, whoever
prepared the MSDS is responsible for assuring the
accuracy of the hazard information. The following
chart summarizes information from various
MSDSs for the chemical azinphos methyl and it
illustrates how different sources can provide varied
and conflicting information. Information from the
Computer-Aided Management of Emergency
Operations (CAMEO) Response Information Data
Sheets (RIDS)1 also is provided.
1 CAMEO RIDS is developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration and EPA. RIDS contains a database of over 4,000 hazardous
chemicals, 50,000 synonyms, and product trade names, linked to chemical-
specific information on fire, explosive and health hazards, firefighting
techniques, cleanup procedures, and protective clothing.
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Use Multiple Data Sources for Emergency Response
June 1999
Comparison of MSDS Data for Azinphos Methyl - AZM (CAS NO. 86-50-0)
Hazard
ratings
Reactivity
Hazards
Incompatibility
Fire Hazards
MSDS -A
Health - 2
Flammability - 0
Reactivity - 0
Stable under normal
conditions
Hazardous
polymerization
will not occur
High temperatures,
oxidizers, alkaline
substances
Vapors from fire
are hazardous
MSDS - B
None listed
Depends on
characteristics of
dust; decomposes
under influence of
acids and bases
Acids and bases
Combustible.
Gives off irritating
or toxic fumes
(or gases) in a fire
MSDS - C
Health - 3
Fire - 2
Reactivity - 2
Stable material. Unstable
above 100 °F sustained
temperature. Hazardous
polymerization will not
occur
Heat, moisture
Decomposes above
130 ° F with gas
evolution and dense
smoke. Dust explosion
hazard for large dust
cloud
MSDS - D
Health - 4
Flammability - 0
Reactivity - 0
Releases toxic,
corrosive, flammable
or explosive gases
Polymerization will
not occur
Heat, flames, sparks,
and other ignition
sources
Containers may
rupture or explode if
exposed to heat
CAMEO
RIDS
Health - 3 (extremely hazardous)
Fire - 2 (ignites when moderately
heated)
Reactivity - 2 (violent chemical
change possible)
Will decompose
Heat, UV light
Decomposes giving off
ammonia, hydrogen and CO
INFORMATION SOURCES FOR
FIRST RESPONDERS
Many established fire department hazardous
materials teams follow the "Rule of Three", which
requires that three sources of information should
be consulted before a response decision is made.
Listed below are resources available to help first
responders plan the Rule of Three. This is not a
comprehensive list, but rather, a starting point.
o Chemical Inventories - Chemical inventory
records filed by the facilities in their
jurisdiction under the Emergency Planning
and Community Right-to-Know Act for basic
hazard and storage information. - It is a good
practice to gather information from various
sources on the hazards and proper response for
those chemicals. This information can be used to
enhance emergency response procedures between
local officials and facilities. Newly required Risk
Management Program (RMP) information
provided by facilities will provide local responders
with process and chemical hazards and facility-
specific response information.
o Assistance From Others - Emergency personnel
and local officials have several avenues to obtain
additional information about chemical hazards and
proper response options in an emergency. It is
essential that local response and planning officials
know what these resources are and how to obtain
them quickly and effectively. One of the key
elements is the ability of the responders to
correctly interpret available data. Most are not
chemists nor health professionals. Many of the
resources listed below can help with these
interpretations.
o Training - Local officials should ensure that all
responders have sufficient training in hazardous
materials response. The National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) 472 Standard on
Professional Competence of Responders to
Hazardous Materials Incidents specifies minimum
competencies. State Fire Training Academies and
State Emergency Management Offices can
provide more information on training. This
training will form a foundation to better
understand chemical information.
o Pre-planning with facilities that store or use
hazardous materials is critical to local officials and
helps to identify specific concerns for each facility
and opportunities to prepare effectively for those
concerns, or to reduce existing risks.
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4 Use Multiple Data Sources for Emergency Response
June 1999
Sufficient and correct information regarding
chemicals in an accidental release may make the
difference between a successful emergency
response and a potential disaster for local
responders and the community they are
protecting.
ASSISTANCE FOR LOCAL EMERGENCY RESPONDERS
Emergency Phone Numbers:
National Response
Center
EPA Regional Office
24-hour Emergency
Numbers
State 24-hour
Emergency
Numbers
CHEMTREC
(800)424-8802
Serves as the national point of contact for reporting of releases and
spills; can quickly assist caller in reaching other response agencies,
such as EPA Regional offices, U.S. Coast Guard, State response
officials.
Regions:
1-617/223/7265 CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT
II - 732/548-8730 NJ, NY, PR, VI
III - 215/814-9016 DL, DC, MD, PA, VA, WV
IV - 404/562-8700 AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC TN
V - 3 12/353-23 18 IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI
VI -2 14/665-2222 AR, LA, NM, OK, TX
VII - 913/281-0991 IA, KS, MO, NE
VIII - 303/293-1788 CO, MT, SD, UT, WY
IX -4 15/744-2000 AZ, CA, HI, NV, GU, AS
X - 206/553-1263 AK, ID, OR, WA
Call the NRC or Regional
EPA number for specific
state numbers
(800)424-9300
Responsible for receiving spill
reports within each Region and
determining whether a federal
response to assist is necessary.
Can provide assistance to local
and state officials on proper
response activities, oversight of
responsible party in cleanup
efforts, and that assure
necessary resources are
available.
Can support and assist local agencies if an incident is beyond local
capabilities.
Public service of the chemical industry, can provide technical
assistance on proper response; contacts manufacturer or shipper to
link them with the incident scene; can facilitate communication
between technical experts and the incident scene.
Sources of Information
CAMEO RIDS
Chemfinder Webserver
Chemical Health & Safety
Data
Chemical Reactivity
Worksheet (New Product)
Cornell University
http://www.nsc.org/ehc/
cameo.htm
(800) 621-7619
http://chemfinder.
camsoft.com
http ://ntp-server. niehs . nih.
gov/main_pages/chem-hs.
html
http://response.restoration.
noaa. gov/chemaids/
react.html
http://msds.pdc.cornell.edu/
issearch/msdssrch.htm
Developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) and EPA, provides access to
safety and emergency response information on more than
4,700 hazardous chemicals. Distributed by the National
Safety Council.
A single master list of chemical compounds, which
provides physical and chemical data, and then references
other sources with additional information.
Health and safety information on over 2,000 chemicals
studied by the National Toxicology Program.
Provides information on the reactivity of substances or
mixtures of substances. It includes a database of over
4,000 chemicals and their special hazards.
Electronic MSDSs from various manufacturers on over
325,000 chemicals.
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Use Multiple Data Sources for Emergency Response
June 1999
DOT North American
Emergency Response
Guidebook
EHS Chemical Profiles and
Emergency First Aid Guides
Glossary of MSDS Terms
Hazardous Materials Guide
HazDat Database
International Chemical
Safety Cards
Medical Management
Guidelines for Acute
Chemical Exposures Patient
Information (FAQs)
NFPA
NIOSH Pocket Guide
Vermont SIRI
EPA/CEPPO
http ://hazmat. dot. gov/
psnsort.htm
http:www.epa.gov/
swercepp/cheminf . html
http://ecologia.nier.org/
cgi-bin/msdsterm.pl
http://www.usfa.fema.gov/
hazmat
http://atsdrl .atsdr.cdc.gov:
8080/hazdat.html
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/
ipcs/ipcscard.html
http://atsdrl .atsdr.cdc.gov:
8080/mmg.html
http://www.orcbs.msu.edu/
chemical/nfpa/nfpa.html
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/
npg/npg.html
http://www.hazard.com
http:www.epa.gov/ceppo
A guide to aid first responders in (1) quickly identifying
the material and (2) protecting themselves and the general
public during an initial response.
Over 5,000,000 copies of the guide have been provided to
the local emergency response community.
Information on the 300+ Extremely Hazardous Substances
in EPCRA, which includes physical/chemical properties,
health hazards, fire and explosion hazards, reactivity data,
and other response information.
Includes 106 terms commonly found on an MSDS. Can
also search for MSDSs for specific chemicals.
Information on over 1,750 materials, providing response
scenarios, identification of materials, glossary of terms,
and other references to effectively respond to an incident.
Developed by the Agency for Toxic Substances and
Disease Registry, provides information on the release of
hazardous substances and the effects on the health of
human populations.
Concise and simple information on hazards on
approximately 1,000 chemicals.
Aid for emergency room physicians and other healthcare
professionals who manage acute exposures from chemical
incidents. Used to effectively decontaminate patients,
communicate with other personnel, and provide competent
medical evaluation and treatment.
Provides the NFPA chemical hazard labels system for
indicating the health, flammability, and reactivity hazards
of chemical.
Source of general industrial hygiene information on
hundreds of chemicals including exposure limits,
properties, incompatibilities and reactivities, respirator
selections, symptoms of exposure, and emergency
treatment.
Electronic MSDSs from various manufacturers on
approximately 200,000 chemicals
Risk Management Programs/EPCRA information and
contacts
Statutes and Regulations
The following are a list of some federal statutes and
regulations related to emergency planning, release
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Use Multiple Data Sources for Emergency Response
June 1999
reporting, and hazardous materials worker protection.
EPA
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-
Know
• Emergency Planning [40 CFR Part 355]-
Facilities that have listed substances above a
specified threshold quantity must report to their
Local Emergency Planning Commission (LEPC)
and State Emergency Response Commission
(SERC) and comply with certain requirements for
emergency planning.
• Emergency Release Notification [40 CFR Part
355]- Facilities that release listed chemicals over
reportable quantities must immediately report the
release to the LEPC and the SERC.
• Hazardous Chemical Reporting [40 CFR Part
370]- Facilities that have chemicals at or above
threshold quantities must submit MSDSs to their
LEPC, SERC, and local fire department and
comply with the Tier I/ Tier II inventory reporting
requirements.
• Toxic Release Inventory [40 CFR Part 372] -
Manufacturing businesses with ten
or more employees that manufacture, process, or
otherwise use listed chemicals above an applicable
threshold must file annually a Toxic Chemical
Release form with EPA and the state.
Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act
• Hazardous Substance Release Reporting [40CFR
Part 302]- Facilities must report to the
National Response Center any environmental
release which exceeds reportable quantities. A
release may trigger a response by EPA, or by one
or more Federal or State emergency response
authorities.
operations for release of, or substantial threats of
release of, hazardous substances.
Process Safety Management Standard [29 CFR
1910]- Highly hazardous substance in quantities at
or above a threshold quantity are subject to a
number of requirements for management of
hazards, including performing a process hazards
analysis and maintaining mechanical integrity of
equipment.
Hazard Communication [29 CFR 1910.1200]-
Requires that the potential hazards of toxic and
hazardous chemicals be evaluated and that
employers transmit this information to their
employees .
For additional information on OSHA
standards contact OSHA Public Information
at (202) 219- 8151.
Web site: http://www.osha.gov
For More Information,
Contact the Emergency Planning and
Community Right-to-Know Hotline
(800) 424-9346 or (703) 412-9810
TDD (800)553-7672
Monday -Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM, EASTERN
STANDARD TIME
444
Visit the CEPPO Home Page on the World
Wide Web at:
http://www.epa.gov/ceppo/
OSHA
Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency
Response Standard [29 CFR 1910.120]- Worker
protection requirements for emergency response
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