Actions in case of a chemical accident: how to save life and health

chemical accident called a large release of emergency chemically hazardous substances (AHOV) - chlorine, ammonia, hydrocyanic acid and others that can harm human life and health, pollute soil and water bodies.

The probability of such an incident exists in any production using hazardous reagents. Problems can arise due to damage to the pipeline or storage, as well as during the transportation of goods. So it is better to know in advance how to act in case of an accident.

Who should prepare for a chemical accident and how to do it

Find out if there is a production facility near your place of residence or work with large reserves of chlorine, ammonia, hydrocyanic acid, phosgene, sulfur dioxide. This may be:

• chemical, pulp and paper and processing plants;
• mineral plants fertilizer;
• production of ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy;
• refrigeration plants;
• breweries;
• confectionery factories;
• vegetable warehouses;
• waterworks.

If there is something similar nearby, just in case, get personal protective equipment (PPE) for respiratory organs - a civilian gas mask or a gas protective respirator. For example, RPG-67.

Before buying, make sure that the selected product is suitable for protection against AHOV. Read the description and look for whether the filter of the selected PPE can handle, for example, fumes chlorine or ammonia.

What to buy

• Gas mask GP‑21U with filter, 6,500 rubles →
• Civilian gas mask GP-7BT with FPK GP-9KB "Optim", 6,200 rubles →
• Gas mask "Breeze-3306" (MGP) - an analogue of GP-7B, 3,997 rubles →

What to do if a chemical accident occurs

If this happens, you will hear the public alert signal “Attention everyone!” - howl of a siren. Intermittent beeps of the enterprise responsible for the emergency should also sound.

Get home as soon as possible, turn on the radio or TV: information about the accident and recommended actions will be transmitted through these means of communication. You may also be sent an SMS message from the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

To ensure security, do the following:

• Close windows, turn off appliances and gas.
• Get your breathing protection. If they are not available, take improvised fabric items soaked in water. To protect against chlorine, the bandage should be soaked in a 2-5% solution of baking soda (1 teaspoon per glass of water); from ammonia - in a 2% solution of citric or acetic acid.
• Wear heavy fabrics with long sleeves and legs, gloves, rubber boots, or other closed, heavy footwear.
• Take away your pets.
• Take your documents with you.
• If you think that neighbours may not have heard the siren or missed an emergency message, let them know.
• Help evacuate those who cannot do it themselves.

Close windows and doors, vents, and chimneys tightly if you remain in the contaminated area. Seal the cracks with paper or tape. Some chemicals are heavier than air, such as chlorine or hydrogen sulfide, will permeate in basements and lower floors of buildings. Therefore, try to hide from the neighbors above.

If during the accident you were far from your home and no one needed help there, evacuate immediately. Fast but don't panic go away from the zone of possible infection.

Move perpendicular to the direction wind and do not stop until you are at least 1.5 kilometers away from your previous location. It's about 15-20 minutes walk.

During the evacuation, try not to lean against buildings and do not touch objects, do not step on puddles of liquid or powder placers encountered on the way. On the way, listen to the radio: they can tell you where it will be safer now and when you can return back.

How to understand that you are in the AHOV distribution zone

In addition to official data, you can navigate according to your feelings. You are most likely at risk if:

1. There was a strong unusual smell. You may notice a strong smell of chlorine or cat urine (ammonia), bitter almonds (hydrocyanic acid), rotten eggs (hydrogen sulfide), rotten fruit, rotten leaves or wet hay (phosgene).

The smell won't necessarily be exactly as described, but if it's pungent and doesn't have an obvious cause, that's a good reason. alert.

2. You see how the punched container “smokes”. This can be observed right at the scene of the accident, for example, if a chlorine tank was damaged during transportation. You can not approach such objects closer than 200 meters, so try to leave the danger zone as soon as possible.

3. You have symptoms of poisoning. On poisoning chemicals indicate the following signs:

• pain and pain in the eyes, lacrimation;
• sore throat, cough;
• suffocation;
• cardiopalmus;
• nausea and vomiting;
• dizziness;
• weakness;
• confusion;
• feeling of squeezing the chest;
• metallic taste in the mouth.

If you feel something like this, try to leave the infected area as soon as possible.

What to do in case of AHOV poisoning

If you or another person gets poisoned by chemicals, the first thing to do is to stop exposure to them. That is, to leave a sufficient distance from the source of danger or, if this is not possible, lock yourself at home and seal the room.

Call an ambulance while waiting for help do following:

1. Remove all clothing and place it in an airtight bag. You can wash it later or throw it away.
2. Take a shower, thoroughly wash with soap the parts of the body that were not protected by clothing. Rinse your mouth.
3. If you feel burning sensation in the eyeswash them with a 1% boric acid solution. You can also drip two drops of a 1% solution of novocaine.
4. Prepare a large warm drink, such as tea or milk.
5. Stay calm and warm until the ambulance arrives.

Until the official announcement that the danger has passed, refrain from drinking tap water.

If you live in the private sector, do not eat fruits and vegetables from the garden, meat from livestock and poultry slaughtered after an accident, until they are judged to be edible.