A chemical accident is called Chemical accident / EMERCOM of Russia a large release of emergency chemically hazardous substances (AHS) — chlorine, ammonia, prussic acid and others that can harm people's lives and health, pollute soil and water bodies.

There is a possibility of such an incident in any production that uses hazardous reagents. Problems may arise due to damage to the pipeline or storage, as well as during the transportation of goods. So it's 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 are factories with large reserves of chlorine, ammonia, prussic acid, phosgene, sulfurous anhydride near your place of residence or work. It can Chemical accident / EMERCOM of Russia be:

chemical, pulp and paper and processing plants;
mineral fertilizer plants ;
production of ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy;
refrigerating plants;
breweries;
confectionery factories;
vegetable stores;
water supply stations.

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

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

What to buy

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

What to do if there was a chemical accident

If this happens, you will hear a warning signal to the population "Attention everyone!" — the 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 receive an SMS message from the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

To ensure security, do the following:

Close the windows, turn off electrical appliances and gas.
Take out respiratory protection. If there are none, take improvised fabric products soaked in water. To protect against chlorine, the dressing 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 things made of thick fabric with long sleeves and trousers, gloves, rubber boots or other closed tight shoes.
Take the pets.
Take your documents with you.
If you think that neighbors might not have heard the siren or missed the accident message, notify them about it.
Help those who cannot do it themselves to evacuate.

If you stay in the infected area, close the windows and doors, ventilation openings and chimneys tightly. Seal the cracks with paper or tape. Some chemicals are heavier than air — for example, chlorine or hydrogen sulfide will penetrate Actions of the population in case of accidents at chemically hazardous facilities / EMERCOM of Russia to basements and lower floors of buildings. Therefore, try to hide with the neighbors above.

If during the accident you were far from your home and no one needs help there, evacuate immediately. Leave quickly, but without panic Actions of the population in case of accidents at chemically hazardous facilities / EMERCOM of Russia from the zone of possible infection.

Move perpendicular to the direction of the wind and do not stop until you are at least 1.5 kilometers away from the previous place of stay. It's about a 15-20 minute walk.

During 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. Listen to the radio on the way: they can tell you where it will be safer now and when you can go back.

How to understand that you are in the AHS distribution zone

In addition to official data, you can navigate by your feelings. Most likely, you are in danger if:

1. There was a sharp unusual smell . You may feel that there is a strong smell of bleach or cat urine (ammonia), bitter almonds (prussic acid), rotten eggs (hydrogen sulfide), rotten fruit, rotten foliage or wet hay (phosgene).

The smell will not necessarily be exactly as described, but if it is sharp and has no obvious reason, it is a reason to be wary.

2. You can see how the punctured container "smokes". This can be observed right at the scene of an accident, for example, if the 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. Poisoning with chemicals is indicated by Actions of the population in case of accidents at chemically hazardous facilities / EMERCOM of Russia the following signs:

pain and pain in the eyes, lacrimation;
sore throat, cough;
suffocation;
rapid heartbeat;
nausea and vomiting;
dizziness;
weakness;
confusion of consciousness;
chest compression sensation;
metallic taste in the mouth.

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

What to do in case of poisoning of AHS

If you or another person is poisoned by chemicals, first of all you need to stop their exposure. That is, to go 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, and while waiting for help, do Chemical accident / EMERCOM of Russia the following:

Take off all your clothes and put them in an airtight bag. Later you can wash it or throw it away.
Take a shower, thoroughly wash with soap the areas of the body that were not protected by clothing. Rinse your mouth.
If you feel burning in the eyes , rinse them with 1‑ boric acid solution. You can also drip two drops of a 1‑ solution of novocaine.
Prepare a plentiful warm drink, such as tea or milk.
Provide peace and warmth until the ambulance arrives.

Before 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 of livestock and poultry slaughtered after the accident, until the conclusion of their suitability for food.