ABSTRACT
This study was undertaken to determine risk factors associated with hazardous substance releases (at fixed facilities or during transport) that have public health consequences. Data from nine states with surveillance systems for such releases and their consequences were analyzed. Risk factors were determined for releases resulting in (1) injuries or (2) evacuations. Both outcomes were more likely to occur as a result of facility releases (odds ratio [OR] = 1.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.44, 2.47, for injuries; OR = 3.29, 95% CI = 2.28, 4.74, for evacuations). Releases of ammonia, chlorine, and acids resulted in injuries and evacuations more frequently than releases of other substances.
Subject(s)
Disaster Planning , Environmental Pollution/adverse effects , Hazardous Substances/adverse effects , Wounds and Injuries/chemically induced , Humans , Odds Ratio , Population Surveillance , Public Health , Risk Factors , United States/epidemiology , Wounds and Injuries/epidemiology , Wounds and Injuries/prevention & controlABSTRACT
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry maintains an active, state-based surveillance system to record the public health consequences of hazardous substance releases. During 1992, the 9 participating states reported 1,876 events; 80% of the events occurred at fixed facilities, and 20% were transportation related. The most frequently released substances were volatile organic compounds, acids, herbicides, and ammonia. In 263 events, 600 people were injured and 4 died. Employees were injured more frequently (71%) than first responders or the general public. The most frequently reported injuries were respiratory and eye irritation. Evacuations occurred in 13% of the events. These results provide information for preparedness planning and training of first responders and employees.
Subject(s)
Environmental Exposure , Eye Diseases/chemically induced , Hazardous Substances/adverse effects , Public Health/standards , Respiratory Tract Diseases/chemically induced , Accidents , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Child, Preschool , Data Collection , Eye Diseases/epidemiology , Female , Fires , Humans , Infant , Male , Middle Aged , Occupational Diseases/chemically induced , Occupational Diseases/epidemiology , Occupational Exposure , Respiratory Tract Diseases/epidemiology , Transportation , United States/epidemiology , United States Environmental Protection Agency , Wounds and Injuries/complications , Wounds and Injuries/epidemiologyABSTRACT
PROBLEM/CONDITION: A review of existing reporting systems indicated that not enough information was being collected to determine the public health consequences of emergency events involving hazardous substances. REPORTING PERIOD COVERED: January 1990 through December 1992. DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM: State health departments in selected states collect and each quarter transmit information about the events, substances released, and the public health consequences of hazardous substance releases (i.e., morbidity, mortality, and evacuations) to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Five state health departments (Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin) began data collection on January 1, 1990. On January 1, 1992, the reporting state health departments included those from Colorado, Iowa, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin. RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION: During 1990-1992, 3,125 events were reported from participating states to ATSDR's Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance (HSEES) system. Of these events, 2,391 (77%) were fixed-facility events (i.e., occurred at stationary facilities), and 723 (23%) were transportation related. In 88% of events, a single chemical was released. The most frequently released hazardous substances were volatile organic compounds (18% of the total 4,034 substances released), herbicides (15%), acids (14%), and ammonias (11%). In 467 events (15% of all events), 1,446 persons were injured; 11 persons died as a result of these injuries. Respiratory irritation (37%) and eye irritation (23%) were the most frequently reported health effects. A total of 457 (15%) events resulted in evacuations; of these, 400 (88%) were ordered by an official (e.g., a police officer or firefighter).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
