Problems in Toxic Materials Information Systems for Disasters and Mass Casualties in Korea

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: WHO (World Health Office) and WADEM (World Association of Disaster Emergency Medicine)have recommended that all countries should complete their preparedness for CBRNE disasters (chemical, biologic, radiological, nuclear, and explosive disaster) within a few years. To establish whether a biologic or chemical disaster plan is most appropriate in a given situation, essential information regarding biologic materials and chemicals should be provided to emergency personnel as rapidly as possible. METHODS: We prospectively investigated information systems operated by government bodies in Korea. We obtained data about toxic material information systems of Korea by contacting individuals in charge of toxic material information systems at seven government agencies between April and July 2007. RESULTS: There was no single toxic information system designated as a repository for all toxic material data in Korea. Instead, data were distributed among 9 institutes in 6 government cabinets. Moreover, redundant data were independently stored at four different cabinets or ministries the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy; the Ministry of Labor; the National Emergency Management Agency; and the Ministry of Environment. Because each ministry or cabinet handled toxic material information system according to its own laws or legal guidelines, there were effectively eight sets of rules for toxic materials. CONCLUSION: Nine institutes in six government bodies were found to be operating computerized information systems for toxic materials independently, and four government bodies had redundant chemical information. In order to establish a central toxic material information center, a uniform set of guidelines for toxic materials should be established. Doing so, would result in financial savings, and improve the quality of information.