The term “chemical emergency” is used to refer to an event or dangerous occurrence resulting in the release of a substance or substances that are hazardous to human health and/or the environment in the short or the long term. Such events or occurrences include fires, explosions, leakages or releases of toxic substances that can cause illness, injury, disability or death, often for a large number of people.
This definition needs to be set alongside the concept of a “chemical accident”, in which exposure arising from releases of a substance or substances may result in illness or the possibility of illness. The number of people affected by a chemical accident may be very few (even none), and illness, disability or death may occur a considerable time (for example, several years) after the exposure.
