Hazardous materials incident in or around Amsterdam
Machine translation from Dutch, not yet checked by a clinician.
Westpoort and the surrounding industrial areas carry chemical risks. In a hazardous materials incident, sheltering in place is the first and most effective measure.
What to do
• Immediately close all windows, doors and ventilation openings
• Switch off mechanical ventilation (heat recovery, extractor fans)
• Seal gaps with tape or wet towels
• Tune in to NPO Radio 1 (93.4 FM) and check NL-Alert
• Stay inside until the safety region says it is safe
Do not do
• Do NOT go to the cellar in a gas cloud — gas sinks and concentrates in low places
• Do NOT switch on air conditioning that draws in outside air
• Do NOT leave the area in the direction of the smoke plume
Warning signs
• Burning eyes, sore throat or dizziness despite sheltering — go to a higher floor or leave the building on the sheltered side
• An unconscious person near the plume — call 112, do NOT approach yourself
Get help if
• Someone shows signs of poisoning: unconsciousness, laboured breathing, blue lips
• Sheltering is no longer possible because the substance has entered the building
Why this matters
Westpoort is one of the largest industrial ports in Europe. In a chemical incident, sheltering is more effective than fleeing, because moving through contaminated air increases exposure.
Source: Veiligheidsregio Amsterdam-Amstelland; RIVM; Westpoort Veiligheid · reviewed 2025-01-01