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<br />Hays Count\ .11lnr <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />concerns among local commumtles. Hazardous materials are chemical substances that can <br />create a threat to the environment or health if released or misused. Typically, these chemicals <br />are in the form of explosives, flammable and combustible substances, poisons, and radioactive <br />materials. Approximately 4.5 million facilities in the United States utilize, manufacture, or <br />store potential hazardous materials, including fields within industry, agriculture, medicine, <br />research, and consumer goods. In addition, many products containing hazardous chemicals are <br />used and stored regularly in homes. <br /> <br />Hazardous materials are shipped daily along highways, railroads, waterways, and pipelines. <br />The greatest risk of a hazardous materials release involves the transport of these substances, <br />although chemical accidents in plants and natural hazards are risks, as well. Types of releases <br />include: air emissions; discharges into water; discharges as outflows from outfalls, runoff, or <br />contaminated groundwater; discharges onto land; solid waste disposal in onsite landfills; <br />injections into underground wells; and transfers of waste to facilities for treatment or storage, <br />namely sewer treatment plants. <br /> <br />Depending on the form and type of hazardous material, results of exposure can involve death, <br />serious injury, or long-lasting health effects to humans as a result of inhalation, ingestion, or <br />direct contact with the skin. Hazardous materials can also damage buildings, homes, and <br />property, and involve drastic effects to terrestrial and aquatic plants and wildlife. <br /> <br />I <br /> <br /> <br />Hazardous Solid, liquid <br />Material and/or <br />release (fixed gaseous <br />facility or contaminants <br />transportation) may be <br />released from <br />'ixed or <br />mobile <br />containers <br /> <br />As with chemical weapons, weather <br />conditions will directly affect how the hazard <br />develops. The micro-meteorological effects <br />of buildings and terrain can alter travel and <br />duration of agents. Shielding in the form of <br />sheltering in place can protect people and <br />property from harmful effects. Non- <br />compliance with fire and building codes as <br />well as failure to maintain existing fire <br />protection and containment features can <br />substantially increase the damage from a <br />hazardous materials release. <br /> <br />Source: FEMA Manual 386-7. (September 2002). Integrating Human-Caused Hazards Into Mitigation Planning. <br /> <br />Hours to <br />days <br /> <br />Chemicals may be <br />corrosive or otherwise <br />damaging over time. <br />Explosion and/or fire may <br />be subsequent. <br />Contamination may be <br />carried out of the incident <br />area by persons, vehicles, <br />water, and wind. <br /> <br />Pg. 2-6. <br /> <br />The Hays County Mitigation Planning Committee classified hazard material (HAZMA T) <br />incident or release as "substantial" in severity and "highly likely" in frequency. A HAZMAT <br />incident is often associated with transportation accidents that can be either rail, truck or <br />aircraft. Pipeline incidents such as leaks or spills, explosions and fires are often classified as <br />HAZMA T Incidents. <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />Hazardous materials are commonly used, transported, and produced in the local area; hence, <br />HAZMA T incidents may occur here. With Interstate Highway 35 (IH-35), major rail corridors, <br />and numerous pipeline systems in Hays County, transportation of hazardous materials presents <br />a selious threat to the population. The major pipeline corridor in Hays County is along IH-35 <br /> <br />Ha~'s count~', Texas <br />Mitigation Plan <br />70 <br />