🚨 Chemical accidents can make entire regions uninhabitable.
Toxic vapors, alkalis, acids – often invisible, immediately effective. The right reaction in the first minutes is decisive.
1. Recognizing a Chemical Accident
- Sharp, unusual odor (chlorine, ammonia, sulfur, bitter almond)
- Irritation of eyes, respiratory tract, skin (burning, tearing, coughing)
- Animals show restlessness, birds fall from the sky (highly toxic!)
- Visible cloud, colored smoke, liquid pools on streets
- Sirens: Siren signal for general danger (rising/falling)
- Warning apps: NINA, KATWARN – Check immediately!
2. Immediate Measures – Shelter in Place
In case of chemical accident: NEVER evacuate (unless official instruction)! Vapors are faster than you.
- Get in: Immediately into house, close doors/windows
- Ventilation OFF: Air conditioning, ventilation, chimney, extractor hood ALL OFF
- Seal: Seal windows/doors with duct tape, wet cloths in cracks
- Top floor: Chemical gases are usually heavier than air and sink! Stay high!
- Breathing: Cloth/mask over mouth & nose (wet = better)
- Turn on radio: Wait for official announcements
- Water: Close pipes (water may be contaminated)
3. Important Chemicals and Their Properties
| Chemical | Odor | Effect | First Aid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine | Sharp, pungent, swimming pool | Pulmonary edema, eye irritation | Fresh air, rinse eyes, doctor |
| Ammonia | Pungent, urine, cleaning agent | Respiratory irritation, skin burns | Fresh air, rinse skin with water |
| Hydrogen cyanide | Bitter almond | Respiratory paralysis, quickly fatal | Immediately fresh air, emergency call 112 |
| Sulfur dioxide | Match, burnt | Lung irritation, shortness of breath | Fresh air, sit upright |
| Phosgene | Hay/green grass | Delayed pulmonary edema (fatal) | See doctor immediately – even if symptoms subside! |
| Acid (concentrated) | Pungent | Skin/eye burns | Rinse with water (15-20 min!), never neutralize |
| Alkali (sodium hydroxide) | Soapy | Skin/eye burns | Rinse with water (15-20 min!), rinse eyes immediately |
4. First Aid for Chemical Contact
4.1 Eyes
- Rinse immediately: 15-20 minutes with lukewarm water
- Keep eyelids open: Rinse under the eyelid too
- No ointment: No eye drops/ointment without doctor!
- Bandage: Sterile compress, DO NOT press on the eye
4.2 Skin
- Remove clothing: Take off immediately (contaminated clothing = spreads!)
- Shower: 15-20 minutes with soap and water
- NEVER neutralize: Acid with alkali = Violent reaction! Only water!
- No creams: No ointments, no powder, do not rub
4.3 Inhalation
- Fresh air immediately: Get out of the area (watch wind direction)
- Keep upright: Sit or stand (lying = more irritation!)
- Breathing: Breathe deep and slow, do not hyperventilate
- Oxygen: If available – oxygen mask (if pulmonary edema suspected)
- Doctor: Always – even with seemingly mild irritation (phosgene works delayed!)
5. Checklist: Chemical Accident
- ☐ N95 masks / Respirator masks (10 pieces)
- ☐ Swimming goggles / Safety goggles (eye protection)
- ☐ Duct tape + foil (window sealing)
- ☐ Eye wash bottle (at least 500ml)
- ☐ Gloves (latex/nitrile, 20 pairs)
- ☐ Soap (lots – for hand washing/showering)
- ☐ Shower/water (15-20 minutes rinsing time possible)
- ☐ Ventilation can be turned off (AC, chimney, extractor)
- ☐ Crank radio (wait for announcements)
- ☐ NINA/KATWARN app installed