What does Table 1 in the ERG help responders with?

Table 1 in the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) is designed to assist responders by providing crucial information regarding initial isolation and protective action distances. This resource is particularly important in hazardous materials incidents, where determining the appropriate safety measures can prevent exposure and protect public safety.

The table lists chemicals with their associated protective action distances necessary to shield the public and emergency personnel from the effects of hazardous material releases. By consulting this table, responders can quickly ascertain how far they should isolate the area and what protective actions should be taken based on the specific material involved and the situation's severity. This capability is critical for effective incident management and safeguarding health and safety during an emergency response.

In contrast, the other options serve different purposes. While water reactive materials, spill containment procedures, and highway safety guidelines are indeed relevant to emergency responses, they do not provide the same immediate, essential distance calculations for isolation and protection as found in Table 1.