What is the order of negative outcomes a hazmat event can cause?

The sequence of negative outcomes a hazmat event can cause is health, environment, and property. This is primarily because the immediate threat posed by hazardous materials is typically to human health. In a hazardous material incident, individuals can suffer acute or chronic health effects due to exposure, which can occur even before any environmental damage or property loss is sensed.

After the potential health impacts arise, the next consideration is the effect on the environment. Hazardous materials can contaminate air, water, and soil, leading to longer-term ecological consequences that may affect ecosystems, wildlife, and plant life.

Finally, property damage is often the last outcome, as the structural integrity of buildings or infrastructure usually becomes a concern after the health threats have been assessed and environmental impacts identified. Property damage may occur as a consequence of efforts to mitigate health or environmental impacts, such as during decontamination or by containment measures.

This order emphasizes the priority of human safety followed by environmental protection and then property considerations, aligning with emergency response protocols which prioritize saving lives and health above all else.