What to do if you are exposed to hazardous substances?
In the event of a major accident, terrorist attack or war, you could be exposed to hazardous substances. These may be chemical, infectious, radioactive or explosive. Below are Norway's recommendations on actions to take in such emergencies.
In an emergency, it is important to know what to do. You can protect yourself and others by following the recommendations below.
Remember to alert the emergency services by calling 110, 112 or 113 and follow their instructions at the site.
Three recommended actions following exposure to hazardous substances
Are the emergency services present? Follow the advice of health professionals (113), the police (112), the fire service (110), the public authorities, and other reliable sources.
If you are near a hazardous substance, the emergency services will advise you on what to do. You may be instructed to:
Leave the building or move away from the hazard (if the hazardous substance is indoors or in a specific area).
Remain indoors, shut windows and doors (if the hazardous substance is in the outside air).
Although you should stay as far away from the hazardous substance as possible, it is important to alert the emergency services before you go home. If you leave the area, you might miss out on important information and treatment, and might also spread hazardous substances.
Remove all items of clothing including shoes. Wear gloves if possible.
Any clothing stuck to the skin should not be removed.
Do not pull clothing over your head. If possible, cut or tear it away instead.
Place clothing, shoes and gloves in a plastic bag and knot the bag.
Help yourself before helping others.
If possible, wash your hands before helping the next person affected.
Did the hazardous substance get on your skin?
Do not touch your face.
Rinse your skin with water. If possible, shower for 5 minutes in lukewarm water. You can use ordinary soap and shampoo, but do not use conditioner.
If you do not have access to water, use wetwipes or paper towels.
Start with your face.
Use a fresh wipe for each body part.
Did the hazardous substance get in your eyes?
Use ordinary tap water to rinse your eyes for 5 to 15 minutes (do not use soap).
Remove contact lenses during rinsing.
Wash glasses using soap and water. You can wear them again afterwards.
Did the hazardous substance get in your mouth?
Rinse your mouth.
Do not induce vomiting in yourself or others unless instructed to do so.
Wait to drink until you are advised that this is safe.
Do not eat, smoke or use snuff.
These are general guidelines and apply to any emergency involving direct exposure to hazardous substances. In other words, the initial safety actions are the same, regardless of the type of substance exposure.
More specific instructions may be provided in a specific incident.
Bear in mind that fear in itself can make you feel unwell. Feeling unwell does not necessarily mean that you have been affected by hazardous substances.
What are hazardous substances?
Some substances are harmful to come into contact with. These may be chemical, infectious, radioactive or explosive hazards. Emergencies involving such hazardous substances are often referred to as CBRNE incidents.
Such emergencies may result from
major accidents
terrorist acts
war
Seek medical care if you experience symptoms.
What are CBRNE hazards and what symptoms can occur?
Chemical hazards typically, but not always, cause discomfort shortly after exposure. Chemicals may also give off a strange smell or visible fumes.
Exposure to corrosive agents may cause symptoms like stinging sensations affecting your:
eyes
nose
throat
skin
Symptoms of exposure to other chemical hazards include:
fatigue
difficulty breathing
cramps
fainting
Most chemicals are more hazardous the more you get in or on you.
Biological hazards are bacteria, viruses and toxins (poisonous substances from biological material) that may be infectious and cause disease.
Common symptoms of contact with biological hazards may be
fever
generally feeling unwell (malaise)
It may take some time for symptoms to appear after exposure – from hours to days or weeks. How long it takes before you feel affected depends on the type of infection you were exposed to.
Radioactivity can make you ill if you are exposed to radioactive dust in the air you breathe. This can happen, for example, after a fire if there are radioactive substances in the building or vehicle.
If your body is exposed to a large amount of radiation from a radioactive substance, you may also become ill. Exposure to radiation usually causes few immediate symptoms.
At high doses of radiation, you may experience symptoms such as:
feeling unwell
vomiting
Skin exposure to a radioactive substance may cause:
skin reddening
You may feel healthy for days to weeks before you begin to feel unwell.
Explosive substances, such as explosive materials and explosive devices (bombs), can cause major damage. They can also be used to spread other chemical, biological and radionuclear substances known as CBRNE agents.
Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo University Hospital. What to do if you are exposed to hazardous substances?. [Internet]. Oslo: The Norwegian Directorate of Health; updated Tuesday, August 27, 2024 [retrieved Thursday, December 26, 2024]. Available from: https://www.helsenorge.no/en/forstehjelp/hazardous-substances/