Domestic chemical incidents, including hazardous materials (HAZMAT) releases and oil spills, are relatively commonplace and occur on a frequent basis throughout the country. While most incidents are smaller-scale in nature with minimal emergency response, hazardous waste removal, and environmental remediation required, others can develop into complex, multi-jurisdictional incidents with serious consequences regarding public health and safety and the environment. Such complex, high-consequence incidents require a well-coordinated response and recovery effort among private sector responsible parties (RPs); state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments; nongovernmental organizations (NGOs); and the federal government. Of particular note, such incidents will also necessitate significant technical decision support, including specific subject matter expertise and risk-based decision methodologies and tools, regarding a wide range of environmental hazard assessment, remediation, and wide area- or site-specific re-occupancy processes.
Chemical incidents, including toxic environmental releases, may stem from multiple sources including onshore and offshore facilities related to oil production; transportation infrastructure (including rail, highway, maritime, and pipelines infrastructure); chemical manufacturing, processing and storage facilities; and chemical end-use locations. Available statistical data indicates that most chemical incidents, including environmental releases, are caused by human error or technological failure. Less common causes include terrorist attacks or criminal acts of sabotage or chemical theft/diversion, such as in a deliberate contamination of the public water supply or public or private land. In addition, natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes can cause chemical incidents of various types with high- order consequences over a broad area.