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Building State Public Health Department Capacity for Response to a Chemical Terrorism Incident

This article explores ways to strengthen the capabilities of state public health departments in responding to chemical terrorism incidents. It discusses partnerships with various agencies, expertise required, challenges in sampling, good risk communication practices, and available resources.

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Building State Public Health Department Capacity for Response to a Chemical Terrorism Incident

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  1. Building State Public Health Department Capacity for Response to a Chemical Terrorism Incident Lisa D. Benton, Kevin Chao, Robert Melton, and Raymond Neutra California Department of Health Services Division of Environmental & Occupational Disease Control Oakland, CA Lbenton@dhs.ca.gov

  2. PUBLIC HEALTH PUBLIC HEALTH

  3. Partners for chemical terrorism response in CA • Local • Law enforcement, fire, hazmat, EH, pre-hospital responders, hospitals, red cross, CBOs • Regional and State • Cal-EPA, OSHA, Div Toxic Substances, FDR, Waste Management, CHP, CDF, Governor’s Office Agencies, Mutual Aid Areas, DHS, Civilian Support Teams • Federal • CDC, DOD, EPA, DHS, FEMA

  4. DEODC Expertise • Laboratory analysis and support • On site and surge capacity • Exposure Assessment (case investigation, health effects studies) • Community epidemiology • Occupational epidemiology • GIS • Risk communication • Interstate chemical terrorism work group • Chemical fact sheets • Partnership with poison control centers • Concerns of vulnerable and special populations

  5. The Sample Challenge • Who collects? Who stores? Who gets the data? Who pays? • What gets sampled? • Where? • When? • How much? How Many? How long are they kept? (and by whom?)

  6. Issues for sampling in chemical incidents • Collection • Chain of custody, evidence • Packaging and shipping • Lab triage • (explosive, radiological, biological, chemical) • Appropriate PPE

  7. Specimens & Samples • Clinical Specimens • Blood • Urine • Other bodily fluids • Tissue • Environmental Samples • Air, soil, water • Food, mail, other media • Surfaces (bulidings, subways)

  8. Good Risk Communication • Conveys concern commensurate to proximity of danger and perceptions • Seeks and recommends authoritative sources for information • Reinforces personal protective actions • Anticipates and plans proactively • Keeps messages timely

  9. Resources • http://www.calpoison.com/ • 1-800-876-4766 Poison control hotline (1-800-8Poison) • http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/#Chemical • http://ccc.apgea.army.mil/ • http://bt.cdc.gov (404) 639-3311 • http://www.acponline.org/bioterro/

  10. Opportunities for State Public Health Departments in chemical incidents • Identify and fill gaps with specialized expertise • Adapt and strengthen existing resources • Establish new partnerships • Provide public health leadership

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