Hazardous materials
Reporting incidents
Environment Line is DECC’s general enquiries and advice line, which also responds to community reports of pollution. A 24-hour emergency response and hazardous materials advice service is linked to Environment Line.
Hazardous materials
DECC’s hazmat register contains information offered by providers about resources, equipment, products and advice to minimise the environmental effects of hazardous materials incidents.
Householders in NSW are sometimes in the position of needing to dispose of materials that contain asbestos. Asbestos fibres are hazardous when inhaled. These fibres can be released into the air when asbestos products are incorrectly handled, stored or transported for disposal.
Dangerous goods
DECC administers the Road and Rail Transport (Dangerous Goods) Act 1997, which adopts uniform national requirements for the transport of dangerous goods, including the requirements of the Australian Dangerous Goods Code. The Act and its Regulations ensure that dangerous goods, which put people, property and the environment at risk if they are not handled appropriately, are properly classified, packaged, labelled and transported.
Under this Act, DECC maintains a dangerous goods register which contains information about dangerous goods licences for bulk dangerous goods vehicles and for drivers of those vehicles.
Radiation
The Radiation Control Act 1990, administered by DECC, aims to protect people and the environment from the harmful effects of exposure to ionising and non-ionising radiation. On behalf of the Environment Protection Authority, DECC regulates the use of radioactive substances and radiation equipment in NSW.