April marks Hazardous Materials Safety Month in Illinois, drawing attention to the importance of safe chemical management across the state. With over 9,000 active chemical facilities under close observation, Illinois prioritizes the monitoring of chemical storage and the tracking of incidents. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency, alongside the Office of Homeland Security, offers crucial training sessions and guidance for businesses, emergency responders, and the general public. The initiative aims to bolster safety practices, reduce risks, and raise awareness about proper handling procedures, ensuring both community well-being and swift response during hazardous materials emergencies.
“We should all be familiar with the chemicals that are used near us by more than 9,000 active facilities,” IEMA-OHS Interim Director Khayyat continued. “These chemicals could be used every day as detergents, fuels, medicines, and more and IEMAOHS is prepared for any incident that involves these chemicals.”
To track chemical spills and releases in Illinois, visit IEMA’s Hazardous Materials Incident Reports database: https://public.iema.state.il.us/FOIAHazmatSearch/.
