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CAMEO Chemicals

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Evidence Tier:TRUSTED

Expert-developed at a federal agency

For:Researchers & AcademicsIndustry Professionals
Free
Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play

App Summary

CAMEO Chemicals equips emergency responders with an offline database to identify hazardous materials, get response recommendations, and predict potential dangers from chemical mixtures. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created the tool to give firefighters a faster alternative to print guides during urgent chemical emergencies. Now a mobile app, the database allows responders worldwide to access safety protocols on a phone or tablet, even without an internet connection at the scene of an incident.

App Screenshots

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Detailed Description

Functionality & Mechanism

This rapid-response reference tool, developed jointly by NOAA and the EPA, is a database for hazardous materials. The platform aggregates chemical datasheets and response protocols from sources like the Emergency Response Guidebook. Its core mechanism allows users to search for substances by name or identification number to access physical properties, health hazards, and safety recommendations. The system also includes a predictive tool to model potential hazards from mixing chemicals, with key functions available offline.

Development & Context

  • Developed by NOAA and the EPA, the tool addresses the critical need for responders to access hazardous material information during time-sensitive emergencies.
  • The news coverage notes its long history, evolving from a 1980s desktop application on a fire truck to modern web and mobile platforms.
  • It is designed as an essential resource for firefighters and emergency planners globally to prepare for and respond to chemical spills and incidents.
  • The software is consistently maintained, with a 2024 update integrating the latest Emergency Response Guidebook data and new mapping capabilities.

Intended Use & Scope

CAMEO Chemicals is designed for emergency responders, including firefighters and hazmat teams, as a field guide and planning resource. The tool's scope is to provide immediate access to established chemical safety datasheets and hazard predictions to support incident response. Information is based on developer and news reports, not peer-reviewed research.

In the Media

CAMEO Chemicals 3.1.0 Now Available

NOAA and EPA developed CAMEO Chemicals 3.1.0 to provide hazardous chemical response recommendations and predict potential hazards when chemicals mix, using a comprehensive database of thousands of substances. The update includes integration with the newly released 2024 Emergency Response Guidebook data and adds an address search feature to the mapping tool for plotting isolation and protective action distances. CAMEO Chemicals 3.1.0 is available across multiple platforms including iOS, Android, desktop, and web formats.

NoaaRead article

Meet the New CAMEO Chemicals Mobile App

NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration and EPA's Office of Emergency Management jointly developed CAMEO Chemicals as a mobile app to help emergency responders access hazardous chemical information during emergencies, using a database with thousands of chemicals and response recommendations. The app allows users to "look up chemicals and predict reactivity without an internet connection—making it a valuable tool for emergency responders on the go." Emergency responders can search chemicals by multiple identification methods, predict mixing hazards, and access multilingual Emergency Response Guidebook PDFs in English, Spanish, and French.

NoaaRead article

Help Avert Disaster with CAMEO Chemicals for Your Smartphone

NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration recently launched a mobile website version of CAMEO Chemicals to provide emergency responders with critical hazardous material information on their smartphones during incidents. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and NOAA have been partnering to keep this searchable chemical response encyclopedia updated since the first version was installed on a Macintosh Plus computer and bolted to a hazmat fire truck in the 1980s. The app helps first responders quickly determine crucial safety information, such as whether a spilled chemical will react violently with water or spontaneously combust.

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CAMEO Chemicals

Free

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