What is the difference between a chemical spill and a chemical release?

The distinction between a chemical spill and a chemical release primarily hinges on the nature of their occurrence and the control over the situation.

A chemical spill refers to an accidental discharge of a substance, typically resulting from a mishap or failure in containment that was not intentional. This encompasses scenarios where materials are released due to accidents, such as a tank rupture or a container mishandling.

In contrast, a chemical release typically refers to a broader category of events where hazardous substances are emitted into the environment. This can happen both intentionally (in controlled scenarios, such as regulated emissions from a facility) and unintentionally (such as leaks). However, in this context, it is defined as more generally involving emissions that may arise from processes or failures that are not considered to be contained, thus implying a loss of control over the emission process.

Understanding this difference is vital in the context of hazardous materials operations, as the response strategies and regulatory requirements can differ based on whether an incident is classified as a spill or a release.