Hazardous materials are substances that pose a hazard to human health or to the surrounding environment due to their quantity, concentration, or physical or chemical characteristics. Fire and emergency services workers may be exposed to hazardous materials because they are present at the scene of an incident (a motor vehicle accident involving a chemical tanker, for example) or because hazardous materials are generated by the incident (for instance, products of combustion).

This area of the Knowledge Web contains information about hazardous materials, their effect on people and the environment, emergency management issues (such as shelter-in-place and evacuation) and protective equipment.

Many online resources are available in relation to hazardous materials and related emergency management: some of these are collected in the Hazmat Links page (coming soon).

Be sure to consult Industry Positions and Policies and the members-only Hazardous Materials: Case studies for further information.