Hazardous-chemical releases in the home.

Data from the Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance (HSEES) system were analyzed for the period 1996-2001 to describe the chemicals, causal factors, temporal patterns, types of adverse effects, and public health actions (e.g., an evacuation) associated with releases of hazardous chemicals in the home. HSEES is an active multistate Web-based surveillance system maintained by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. A total of 659 events, 352 injured persons, and nine fatalities resulting from hazardous-substance releases in homes were reported. While the majority of victims were members of the general public, some responders were injured. Dizziness/central-nervous-system symptoms were the most frequently experienced enced adverse health effects. The most frequently released chemicals are found in common household products. Human error was a factor in the majority of the releases. Efforts to educate the general public about the potential hazards of chemicals found in common household products are recommended. In addition, the HSEES system will continue its efforts to partner with other notification sources to capture these events and conduct prevention outreach.