Chemical disasters arise from harmful and potentially hazardous chemicals, which if released of misused can pose a threat to the environmental. Its range depends upon military and non-military circumstances. Volcanic activities contributing to chemical hazards leading to disasters is an example of natural chemical disasters.
Non-military causes
1. Accidents due to improper handling or transportation of dangerous chemical substances.
2. Released of hazardous chemical substances due to terrorism.
3. Release of harmful chemical substances on account of natural hazards like earthquakes, floods or volcanoes.
4. Accidents related to improper disposal of chemical waste materials.
Military causes
1. Use of chemical weapons during wars.
2. Accidents related to production or disposal processes.
The effects of chemical disasters depend upon possible chemical reactions, the type of released chemical substances, types of occurrence, whether the material is solid, liquid or gaseous. Effects on the meteorological conditions, particularly temperature and winds, are of consideration while estimating the magnitude of disaster. On the basic of their hazardous potential, chemical accidents should be analyzed carefully for the possible ill effects on the environment.
Possible effects
1. Contamination of food and drinking water.
2. Contamination of land, particularly densely populated and agricultural areas.
3. Death of large number of species and long term post effects of poisonous substances.
4. Refugee movements.
5. Overstraining of medical system.