CHEMTREC

You can contact CHEMTREC (the Chemical Transportation Emergency Center) when you need information about chemicals/products involved in an incident:

  • From the US, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, call (800) 424-9300 (toll-free; 24/7).
  • If you're at sea, call (703) 527-3887 (toll number, but emergency collect calls are accepted; 24/7).
  • Email CHEMTREC at [email protected]

Information You'll Need When You Call

You'll be asked for the following information—but call even if you can't get all the information:

  • Your name, title, organization, callback phone number(s), and fax number.
  • Location and nature of the incident, the time it occurred, and actions taken.
  • Chemical name or trade name, UN/NA numberUnited Nations-North American number. (Also UN number or DOT number.) Four-digit number identifying an individual chemical or group of chemicals with similar characteristics. Required on shipping papers; often shown on placards. The four-digit number is often preceded by UN (such as UN1219)., placard, STCC numberSounds like 'stick number'. Standard Transportation Commodity Code. Seven-digit chemical identification code used by the Association of American Railroads. Numbers beginning with 49 indicate hazardous materials., or other identifying information. Look for shipping documents, placards, container markings, or labels for identifying information about the chemicals/products.
  • Amount of the chemicals/products involved and released.
  • Type of container and container markings or numbers. (See the Containers Reference Guide.)
  • Name of the shipper or consigneePerson (or business) to whom a shipment is sent. (person or organization receiving the shipment) and point of origin.
  • Whether specific information is needed.
  • If any industry representatives are on scene or have been contacted.

What Happens Next?

CHEMTREC first provides you emergency response information for the chemical(s), including medical information when people have been exposed. CHEMTREC staff draw on technical specialists, computer databases, a huge library of SDSs and MSDSs, and other sources.

CHEMTREC then provides the information about your incident to the chemical's shipper or manufacturer as well as the carrier (railroad, trucking company, or vessel owner), if necessary. The shipper is then put in contact with you to provide further technical assistance, including sending specialists to the scene, if needed.