National Response System
(excerpted from U.S. Environemtal Protection Agency Guide on Environmental Issues)

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 Every day, oil and hazardous substances are spilled or released into our harbors and waterways, onto the ground, and into the air.  Some of these incidents are relatively minor, some cause disruptions in the community, and others cause serious damage and take lives.  Most such incidents are handled at the local level, by fire fighters, police, and emergency medical teams.  In many cases, the owner or operator of a facility will handle the cleanup or provide help to local responders, sometimes in the form of technical advice or a trained hazardous materials team.

Manufacturers must report to EPA and the states the amounts of toxic substances they release directly to air, water, or land, inject underground, or transfer to off-site facilities.  EPA compiles these reports into an annual inventory of releases and transfers -- the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) -- and makes it available to the public.  All TRI facilities provide information on pollution prevention and recycling efforts for each chemical on their reporting forms, including quantities recycled, source reduction practices, and changes in production.

Some serious incidents, warrant activation of the National Response System.  

When the person in charge of a facility or vessel containing a hazardous substance becomes aware of a release in a reportable quantity, that person must notify the National Response Center (NRC).   Similarly, a discharge or spill of oil that causes a discoloration or "sheen" on the surface of the water must be reported.

The NRC is the primary communications center for reporting major chemical and oil spills and other hazardous substances into the environment.  Operated by the U.S. Coast Guard, the NRC receives reports of transportation emergencies, oil and hazardous substance spills, and other chemical accidents.  

NRC relays information to a predesignated federal On-Scene Coordinator (OSC), based on the incident's geographical location.  Coastal and tidal waters fall under Coast Guard jurisdiction; EPA manages inland waterways and spills on land; the Departments of Defense and Energy manage incidents on their respective properties.

When the federal OSC receives a call, he is backed up by Special Forces:  the U.S. Coast Guard's National Strike Force (NSF) composed of three teams:  Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf coasts; EPA's Environmental Response Team; and the NOAA Scientfic Support Coordinators.  EPA's 10 regional offices each have a team of OSCs and direct responders who can access any of the Special Forces for assistance.  The OSC in turn contacts state and local agencies to coordinate their role.State Emergency Response Commissions (SERCs) administer community safety programs and appoint Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) in all major cities and every county.   LEPC members include state or local officials, police, fire, public health, environmental, hospital, and transportation officials, as well as community groups and the media.  The Emergency Preparedness Coordinator at the county level is usually the chairperson of the LEPC and has a listed telephone number, although large cities frequently have a separate LEPC.


QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ON COMMUNITY SAFETY

Q.       How do I know what chemicals are used or made in an industrial plant near my home and what amounts are being stored there?

A.       Ask the plant for a copy of EPCRA Section 311 and 312 data submitted to the LEPC and an explanation of the codes used.    Or, ask the LEPC for this information.

Q.       In case of an accident at a chemical plant, who will warn me and my family about toxic emissions and provide for appropriate protection?

A.       Your LEPC has developed warning systems, evacuation plans, and shelter-in-place instructions. You can also ask the local plant to explain how their emergency response plans  mesh with the LEPC. The plant must report immediately all incidents of chemical releases to the NRC, the SERC, and the LEPC.

Q.       Are visible, continuous emissions or odors from an industrial plant harmful?

A.       To identify whether specific emissions are harmful, you should ask the plant manager about emissions and request a copy of the plant's SARA Section 313 data.  Or, ask your  SERC for the data.    EPA's Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office also may be able to help. After identifying the chemicals and volumes being emitted, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) may help you to determine risk. Remember that risk depends on the dose received; Section 313 data are reported annually and can  not be used alone to accurately determine exposure or dose, or their consequences.

Q.       Where do I get the MSDS for the emissions in question?  Can I understand an MSDS?  Isn't it too technical?

A.       An MSDS is a fact sheet that describes how to use, handle, and dispose of a specific chemical.  The
plant that manufactures, stores, or discharges the chemical  must submit an MSDS to the LEPC.  Ask the LEPC or the plant  safety manager for help in interpreting the information.

Q.       What is the difference between hazardous chemicals and toxic chemicals?

A.       Hazardous chemicals are a much broader category and may be toxic, flammable, corrosive, explosive, or environmentally harmful.   Substances which are toxic can cause severe illness, poisoning, or death when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed by living organisms.   Toxic chemicals are one type of hazardous chemical.

Q.       If  I am exposed to a small amount of a toxic chemical once,are my chances of getting cancer the same as someone who is exposed to the chemical everyday?

A.       Generally, no.  Exposure relates both to the amount and frequency of coming into contact with a specific chemical.  Federal agencies have established certain exposure limits for workers that prevent them from becoming ill.  Repeated exposure to low levels of a mix of chemicals may be linked to health problems, while a single incident at a higher level may be below a toxic threshold.

Q.       What processes can be used to reduce or eliminate the hazards presented by the storage and transportation of large volumes of hazardous chemicals?

A.       There are some technologies, called continuing or closed-loop processes, that convert hazardous or dangerous compounds into more stable or less toxic substances in a single continuous system. That is, some chemicals are immediately converted or recombined in the manufacturing process to reduce risks that would otherwise be posed by transportation and storage. Some companies also are using  just-in-time delivery to reduce the need to store large volumes of chemicals.