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Chemical and Radiological Accidents The likelihood of a community suffering a major disaster caused by a chemical accident has greatly increased because of the increase in everyday use of chemicals by all segments of our population as well as the movement of chemicals by all types of transportation. These guidelines are designed primarily for communities like Magna which do not presently contain chemical plants but might be affected by a transportation accident or by an accident at a chemical plant in a neighboring community. Citizen Response - Cooperate with Authorities Prompt reporting of a chemical accident is every citizen's responsibility. Local authorities, and particularly emergency services personnel (police, fire, medical, and public works) need factual information in order to make base decisions on how to respond to the accident. Authorities must also be able to correctly answer questions from the news media so that erroneous reports are prevented. A citizen should not spread rumors. If you are a witness but not a casualty, you should tell the authorities exactly what you saw. If not a witness, you should keep posted via radio or television but not rush to the scene, since this causes serious obstructions to those professionals who are attempting to save lives and property. The curious bystanders at the scene are needlessly exposing themselves to injury, particularly if dangerous chemical reactions are involved. Emergency Treatment of Casualties You may find it necessary to administer emergency first aid to a victim of a chemical accident or to yourself if you have been injured. The treatment described in this section is limited to emergency procedures which anyone can administer. The first aid measures suggested rely heavily on the use of running water since it is usually readily available and will remove chemicals by solution, dilution, and mechanical action. These measures cover four of the principal types of chemical threats to people: Inhalation Skin exposure Swallowing Eye exposure Inhalation Remove the person to an uncontaminated atmosphere. If the person has been overcome and is unconscious, do not attempt a rescue without the protection of proper respiratory equipment, preferably some form of self-contained breathing apparatus. Remember, a gas mask does not protect against atmospheric oxygen deficiency, nor is it effective in high concentrations (two percent by volume is the usual limit) of chemical vapors. Also, even though a self-contained air supply mask is worn, injury can occur through exposed skin surfaces if the air contaminant is an irritant or can be absorbed through the skin. Have the person lie down and keep him or her warm. If breathing is difficult, a sitting position may be more comfortable. If the person is unconscious, see that the tongue does not fall back and obstruct breathing. If vomiting starts, turn the person on his/her side or face downward to prevent inhalation of vomited material. If breathing has stopped, send for help and begin artificial respiration. Continue until breathing is restored or a physician arrives to take charge. Mouth-to-mouth breathing is the most effective method of artificial respiration. The back pressure-arm lift method is also very efficient. If breathing becomes difficult or the color of the victim becomes blue-gray, check for obstructed airway. If the airway is clear, oxygen may be given by face mask, but only by someone familiar with the use of the equipment and authorized to do so. Call a physician as soon as possible or send someone to do this. Make sure the physician knows where the victim is and what the need is. Never leave an unconscious person unattended. Never attempt to give an unconscious person anything by mouth. Skin Exposure Small exposures of skin should be promptly flooded with water and followed by thorough, gentle scrubbing with soap and water. Contaminated clothing should be removed and the underlying skin washed with running water, followed by soap and water. If extensive skin or clothing contact occurs, the person should be hurried to the nearest shower and clothing removed while standing in the shower. The skin should be thoroughly washed with water, followed by gentle scrubbing with soap and water. Contaminated clothing should not be worn again until laundered. A physician should be consulted in those cases which show skin effects from chemical exposure or in which symptoms of systemic illness appear. Swallowing Induce the victim to vomit as quickly as possible. This may be done by having him/her drink several glasses of water, then sticking a finger down the throat. Another effective means for producing vomiting is to have the victim drink a glass of warm water in which a tablespoon of salt has been dissolved. Caution: If strong, caustic chemicals have been swallowed, vomiting may rupture damaged tissue and should NOT occur. Also, never give an unconscious person anything by mouth. Call a physician at once. Keep the victim lying down and as warm and comfortable as possible. Eye Exposure Take the victim immediately to the nearest water fountain or other source of clean running water. Spread the lids with the fingers and allow the water to flood the eye. Roll the eye about so that the water may contact all eye surfaces. Continue such emergency washing for 15 minutes. Take the victim to a first aid station or to aphysician as soon as possible after the emergency washing period. Back to the First Aid page.