A sudden event involving an uncontrolled chemical reaction–
with significant increases in temperature, pressure, or gas
evolution–that has caused, or has the potential to cause,
serious harm to people, property, or the environment.
Based on this definition, the incident that occurred at the GeorgiaPacific
Naheola mill is a reactive chemical incident.
CSB was assisted in this investigation by the Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), an agency of the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). One of the
key functions of ATSDR is to respond to emergency releases of
hazardous substances that affect public health.