Reporting Triggers

Report Hazardous Substance Releases or Oil Spills
to the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802

The top priority of EPA's emergency response program is to eliminate any danger to the public and the environment posed by hazardous substance releases and oil spills. To help fulfill this mission, EPA requires that the person or organization responsible for a release or spill notify the federal government when the amount reaches a federally-determined limit. EPA has established reporting requirements for hazardous substance releases and oil spills to identify when the federal government should be notified. States also may have separate reporting requirements. Because the party responsible for the hazardous substance release or oil spill may not be aware of these reporting requirements, anybody who discovers a hazardous substance release or oil spill is encouraged to contact the federal government. All it takes is a single telephone call to the National Response Center using the above toll-free number.

Additional information on EPA's Oil Program and Superfund Removal Program for Hazardous Substances is available.