Identifying and managing conjoint threats: Earthquake-induced hazardous materials releases in the US

Abstract

Hazardous materials (hazmat), in many forms, are ubiquitous in modern society. Not only are they present in manufacturing and commercial establishments, but also in homes, medical facilities, laboratories and schools. Further, hazmat is transported by truck and rail and pipeline and stored in large tanks. Indeed, these materials are both integrated into communities in fixed facilities and circulate through neighborhoods in the transportation process. In areas that are vulnerable to earthquakes, the presence of hazmat poses special problems. This article examines the nature of earthquake-induced hazmat releases, their likelihood and their impact on emergency response systems. It is argued that hazmat incidents become an additional diaster agent that must be integrated into the management framework for earthquakes. Under specified conditions, an earthquake could initiate releases from many sources simultaneously, severely taxing the emergency management system. Further, earthquake-related obstacles to emergency response severely hamper the management of hazmat releases. These obstacles include loss of communication capacity, overload of the emergency medical system, loss of warning systems for the public, and impediments to incident access caused by road buckling, fires, rubble, structural collapse and flooding from damaged water mains. A case review of the hazmat problems that arose during the Northridge earthquake is reported to identify challenges posed for emergency managers. The article closes with a series of recommendations for mitigation, preparedness and emergency response.