Who do you have to contact if you have a chemical spill?

• A. Local health department
• B. Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) (available 24 hours) They will notify the appropriate agency
• C. Pesticide retailer
• D. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Answer: (B)

When a chemical spill happens, you should report it to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency because they handle 24-hour emergency response coordination for such incidents. Calling IEMA right away gets the right responders involved quickly—hazardous materials teams, fire departments, and other state or local agencies as needed—so the situation is controlled, exposure is minimized, and the environment is protected. Local health departments or the EPA may be involved later if specific health or regulatory issues arise, but IEMA is the proper, immediate point of contact for notifications and initial coordination. Pesticide retailers aren’t the appropriate channel for emergency reporting, since they’re not equipped to mobilize the official response.