What is one of the main goals of a hazardous materials incident response?

One of the primary goals of a hazardous materials incident response is to protect human health and the environment from hazardous exposure. This focus is essential because hazardous materials incidents can pose significant risks to public safety, including potential exposure to toxic substances that can lead to health issues for individuals and communities. In addition, these materials can have detrimental effects on the environment, contaminating air, water, and soil. Effective response actions prioritize the immediate safety of people and the safeguarding of natural resources, ensuring that proper containment, evacuation, and remediation measures are taken to minimize harm.

Other options, while potentially relevant in broader contexts, do not align with the immediate priorities of hazardous materials incident response. For example, the aim to eliminate all hazardous materials is impractical, as many substances are necessary for various industrial applications and may not have alternatives. Conducting research on hazardous materials, while valuable, is not typically a goal during an ongoing incident response, and providing economic incentives for businesses does not address the urgent need to protect individuals and the environment in crisis situations.