|
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Hazardous materials are chemical substances, which if
released or misused, can pose a threat to the
environment. These chemicals are used in industry,
agriculture, medicine, research, and consumer goods. As
many as 500,000 products pose physical or health hazards
and can be defined as "hazardous materials." Each year,
over 1,000 new synthetic chemicals are introduced. The
threat of a major disaster caused by a hazardous
material accident has greatly increased because of the
increase in everyday use of chemicals and hazardous
materials by all segments of our population, as well as
the movement of hazardous materials by all types of
transportation.
Chemicals are a natural and important part of our
environment. Even though we often don't think about it,
we use chemicals every day. They can be found in our
kitchens, medicine cabinets, basements, and garages.
Chemicals help us keep our food fresh and our bodies
clean. They help our plants grow and fuel our vehicles.
Hazardous materials come in the form of explosives,
flammable and combustible substances, poisons, and
radioactive materials.
Certain businesses and industries in Ashe County are
subject to the provisions of the North Carolina
Hazardous Chemicals Right to Know legislation, as well
as the Superfund Amendment and Reauthorization Act
(SARA) of 1986.
North Carolina Hazardous Chemicals Right to Know Act
The North Carolina Hazardous Chemicals Right to Know Act
provides to citizens and emergency response agencies the
opportunity to learn about hazardous substances used by
North Carolina employers. The act does not address the
education and training that an employer must provide to
its employees. All employers, both private and public,
who store 55 gallons or 500 pounds of a hazardous
chemical, must submit a listing of the hazardous
chemicals to the fire chief. The Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) defines a hazardous
chemical as "any chemical which is a physical or health
hazard."
The initial report must be submitted to the local
Emergency Management Office immediately, when hazardous
chemicals are stored onsite. The entire list must be
updated and submitted ANNUALLY.
Ashe
County Hazardous Materials Emergencies Ordinance
Agency for Toxic Substances and
Disease Registry
Chemical Quick Reference
Chemical and Biological Defense
Information Analysis Center
Material Safety Data Sheets
Information
NC DENR Underground Storage Tank
Section
US Army Chemical School
US Environmental Protection Agency
US National Response Team
|
