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City of Pleasanton—Hidden Canyon Residences and Preserve Draft EIR Hazards and Hazardous Materials FirstCarbon Solutions 3.8-1 https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN-JN)/2148/21480016/EIR/3 - Draft EIR/21480016 Sec03-08 Hazards.docx 3.8 - Hazards and Hazardous Materials 3.8.1 - Introduction This section describes the existing hazards and hazardous materials setting and potential effects from project implementation on the project site and its surrounding area. Descriptions and analysis in this section are based, in part, on the Pleasanton General Plan and relevant State of California websites. During the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) scoping period, no comments related to hazards and hazardous materials were received. 3.8.2 - Environmental Setting Hazards This description of existing conditions focuses on hazards from fire and overhead power lines, as well as hazardous materials and waste. A hazard is a situation that poses a level of threat to life, health, property, or the environment. Hazards can be dormant or potential, with only a theoretical risk of harm. However, once a hazard becomes active, it can create an emergency. A hazardous situation that has already occurred is called an incident. Emergency response is action taken in response to an unexpected and dangerous occurrence in an attempt to mitigate its impact on people, structures, or the environment. Emergency situations can range from natural disasters to hazardous materials problems and transportation incidents. Hazardous Substances A hazardous substance can be any biological, natural, or chemical substance, whether solid, liquid, or gas, that may cause harm to human health. Hazardous substances are classified on the basis of their potential health effects, whether acute (immediate) or chronic (long-term). Dangerous goods are classified on the basis of immediate physical or chemical effects, such as fire, explosion, corrosion, and poisoning. An accident involving dangerous goods could seriously harm human health or damage property or the environment. Harm to human health may happen suddenly (acute), such as dizziness, nausea, and itchy eyes or skin; or it may happen gradually over years (chronic), such as dermatitis or cancer. Some people can be more susceptible than others. Hazardous substances and dangerous goods can include antiseptic used for a cut, paint for walls, a cleaning product for the bathroom, chlorine in a pool, carbon monoxide from a motor vehicle, fumes from welding, vapors from adhesives, or dust from cement, stone, or rubber operations. Such hazardous substances can make humans very sick if they are not used properly. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of thousands of chemicals used since the 1940s to make commercial products, including carpets, clothing, food packaging, and cookware because they are waterproof, stain-resistant, and non-stick; they also have been used in fire- retarding foam and various industrial processes.1 They can be introduced into the body through ingestion of contaminated food or liquid and inhaling or touching products with packaging treated 1 United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2023. Our Current Understanding of the Human Health and Environmental Risks of PFAS. Website: https://www.epa.gov/pfas/our-current-understanding-human-health-and-environmental-risks-pfas. Accessed May 8, 2025.