Important Facts for Hazardous Substance Releases

Definition

The National Toxic Substance Incidents Program (NTSIP) defines hazardous substances emergency events as acute uncontrolled or illegal releases of hazardous substances. Events involving releases of only petroleum are only included if there are injuries or public health action (including environmental sampling, evacuations, etc). Events are included if the amount of substance released needed to be removed, cleaned up, or neutralized according to federal, state, or local laws.

Numerator

This Indicator Report contains the following variables: 1. Number of hazardous substance releases 2. Number of victims of hazardous substance releases

Denominator

Not applicable.

Data Interpretation Issues

The NTSIP includes events involving releases of petroleum only if there are injuries or public health action (including environmental sampling, evacuations, etc). Petroleum being used as a fuel in a vehicle at the time of the incident is not included. Data includes only acute releases, defined as lasting less than 72 hours. NTSIP is primarily focused on releases that involve an industry, so small quantity release limitations apply. The number of NTSIP events is limited by reporter's adherence to reporting requirements. NTSIP reporting is supported by state and federal environmental laws, by the Utah injury reporting rule R386-703 section (i) Chemical Poisoning, and by voluntary reporting. For more details on the Utah injury reporting rule R386-703 section (i) Chemical Poisoning go to http://www.rules.utah.gov/publicat/code/r386/r386-703.htm#T3. For more details on state and federal environmental laws and rules go to http://www.deq.utah.gov/Laws_Rules/.

Why Is This Important?

Hazardous substance releases may not occur often, but when they do occur, they have the potential for causing harmful health effects. The National Toxic Substance Incidents Program (NTSIP) system actively collects information to describe the public health consequences of acute (less than 72 hours) releases of hazardous substances in participating states. This Indicator Report summarizes the characteristics of events reported in Utah. Information about acute events involving hazardous substances were collected, including the substance(s) released, number of victims, and number and types of injuries. The data were computerized using an ATSDR-provided Web-based data entry system. This data provides needed information to create prevention activities, which can decrease injury and death as a result of a hazardous material release. Knowing what kind of hazardous materials commonly exist in Utah, how and where they are released, and the effects they have on employees, responders, and the general public will create opportunities for improved policies, procedures, and training for a cleaner, safer environment.

Healthy People Objective EH-11:

Reduce the amount of toxic pollutants released into the environment
U.S. target: 3.5 billion pounds

How Do We Compare With the U.S.?

The National Toxic Substance Incidents Program (NTSIP) system is directed by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Seven state health departments currently have cooperative agreements with ATSDR to participate in NTSIP: Louisiana, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, and Wisconsin. For more information on the National NTSIP, go to http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov//ntsip/.