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Study of Hazardous Substances Emergency Events and their Health Effects

Study of Hazardous Substances Emergency Events and their Health Effects. Presented by Deepay Mukerjee September 7, 2005. PART A. Study of Emergency Events. Ten Most Frequent Substances Involved in Events. Ammonia Sulfur Dioxide Nitrogen Oxide Carbon Monoxide

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Study of Hazardous Substances Emergency Events and their Health Effects

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  1. Study of Hazardous Substances Emergency Events and their Health Effects Presented by Deepay Mukerjee September 7, 2005

  2. PART A Study of Emergency Events

  3. Ten Most Frequent Substances Involved in Events • Ammonia • Sulfur Dioxide • Nitrogen Oxide • Carbon Monoxide • Hydrochloric Acid • Methamphetamine Chemicals • VOC’s • Sulfuric Acid • Nitric Oxide • Sodium Hydroxide

  4. The Next Ten • Mercury • Chlorine • Nitrogen Oxides, NOS • Benzene • Ethylene Glycol • Paint • Solvent, NOS • Hydrogen Sulfide • Polychlorinated Biphenyls • Super Clean

  5. Distribution of the Number of Substances Released by Category and Type of Event

  6. Cumulative Data for all Participating States

  7. Number of Victims by Category

  8. A = Died B = Treated Unseen C = Treated At Hospital D = Treated and Admitted to Hospital E = Observed at Hospital F = Treated By Physician G = Injuries Reported By Officials

  9. Factors Contributing to Events

  10. Number of Events by State and Type of Event

  11. Events reported by Month

  12. FF Events Reported by Time of Day

  13. FF Events (Contd.)

  14. Transportation-related Events by Time of Day

  15. Areas of Fixed Facilities Involved in Events A – Ancillary Process Equipment B – Process Vessel

  16. Distribution of Responders injured in FF Events

  17. Distribution of Responders injured in Transportation Events

  18. Distribution of Events by Type of Transport

  19. PART BHealth Study

  20. Phase 1Baseline Assessment • Monitoring of 19 VOC’s • Ozone • Acidic Aerosols • Metals • Particles

  21. Phase 2Cross-Sectional Study • Region wide survey of respiratory and other symptoms among children • Monitoring of ambient concentrations of selected VOC’s

  22. Phase 3Longitudinal Study • A four-community survey of daily respiratory symptoms and exposures to acid aerosols, pollens, and selected VOC’s • A limited study of lung function development, using pulmonary performance measurements

  23. Compounds Detected inAir

  24. Examine the Relationship between Symptoms of Irritation of • Eyes • Nose • Throat • Lungs with Ambient Levels of Chemicals from Industrial Sources in AIR

  25. VOC Exposure Indicator Study Other Variables affecting the symptoms include : • Daily pollen counts • Daily measures of Acid Aerosols • Daily Ozone pollution • Daily Temperature

  26. Prevention Outreach Activities(Chemical-Specific)

  27. Ammonia • Created an Ammonia fact sheet that addresses the health effects and hazards associated with anhydrous ammonia exposure and the appropriate personal protective equipment for employees and the first responders. • Created a prevention brochure targeting ag ammonia facilities, focusing on the appropriate personal protective equipment and the regulatory requirements regarding ammonia tanks. • Surveyed each party responsible for an ammonia release in the state to determine the precise cause of the release.

  28. Chlorine • Distributed fact sheets to chlorine producers and businesses that operate swimming pools and spas • Presented data on chlorine releases to state and local agencies that regulate the chlorine industries • Presented data on chlorine releases to personnel in public and private schools containing swimming pools.

  29. Mercury • Created mercury fact sheets to distribute at meetings and presentations and on state health department websites. Also distributed fact sheets to school administrators. • Provided data on mercury releases to help scientifically support a bill to ban the sale of mercury thermometers in the state.

  30. Summary • Largest proportion of events occurred in Fixed Facilities. • The number of reported transportation related events are increasing, primarily due to advanced reporting by DOT’s HMIS. • Some states have reported increases in events. We feel it is due to expansion of reporting sources.

  31. Summary • In events involving victims, respiratory symptoms have been most frequently reported. • Deaths associated with events suggest a need to evaluate danger of exposure to hazmats and circumstances surrounding the events. Examples ….. • Employees continue to be the largest group of victims in emergency events.

  32. Conclusion • Collaboration • Training and Education • Stronger commitment to Responsible Care • Expanded role of PCC, CDC, ATSDR, DHS, EPA, DHHS, LEPC, SERC, DOT • Enhanced site security and maintenance • Modernized storage practices • Adequate funding

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