Recognizing Releases

On average, the federal government receives 12 reports of a hazardous substance release every day. In many cases, the person or company responsible for the release is the one who discovers and reports it. In other cases, a local policeman or firefighter who is trained in recognizing and responding to hazardous substance threats discovers the release. Occasionally, however, hazardous substance releases are discovered by people as they go about their day-to-day activities: construction workers may find leaking drums at a property being developed, residents near a landfill may notice a foul taste or odor in their drinking water, or passers-by may discover illegally dumped chemicals in an abandoned lot.

Understanding the warning signs of a chemical release can mean the difference between a minor incident and a tragic event. Should you ever discover a hazardous substance release, you should report the release as quickly as possible to local officials and take precautions to protect yourself and those nearby (Safety First). Hazardous substance releases require the expertise and training of seasoned professionals to safely respond to such releases. It is important to recognize that non-professionals who attempt to respond to these incidents may become part of the problem, not part of the solution.

Once a hazardous substance release has been discovered and reported, the federal government initiates established procedures (Investigating Sites) for safely investigating and responding to the threat.