Assessing human vulnerability in industrial chemical accidents: a qualitative and quantitative methodological approach.

Iran as a developing country is experiencing the industrialization process quickly and is thus exposed to different industrial hazards mostly derived from chemicals. In the light of this problem, this study estimated the human vulnerability in chemical accidents using the software simulation of accidental chlorine gas releases. A mixed method (qualitative and quantitative) study carried out in 4 phases during 2015-2017 in Ray County, Tehran Province. It included a systematic literature review, software simulation, Fuzzy Delphi Analytical Hierarchy Process (FDAHP) hierarchy process study, and creating a reliable tool for purpose of this study in at-risk areas. The valuable finding indicated that decreasing the human vulnerability depends on both social and physical characteristics of area and even the social vulnerability indicators have more important role when compared with the physical vulnerability indicators. The statistical analysis revealed that the human vulnerability has the significant relationship with factors such as type of living place (rural or urban) areas, nationality, economic situation of households, the distance between housing and the nearest exit to main road, health centers, and manufacturing or storing chemical plants (P value < 0.01). The result also showed that the area under study is vulnerable from average to very high, both in its physical and social domains, against industrial chemical accidents. Additional comparative studies are needed to develop and generalize the appropriate set of indicators of human vulnerability to human induced disasters in Iran.

Industrial chemical accidents: a growing health hazard in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

BACKGROUND: Occupational chemical accidents have increased in recent years in the Islamic Republic of Iran. In June and August 2015, three large explosions occurred at chemical warehouses in Rey, Tehran Province, and toxic vapours were released. AIMS: This study reviewed the three chemical accidents and assessed the extent to which the requirements for chemical safety and preparedness for chemical incidents under the International Health Regulations (IHR) are in place, and implemented at local and national levels in the Islamic Republic of Iran. METHODS: Data were obtained from secondary data and field visits to selected chemical plants. The secondary data were used to complete a 33-item checklist based on the IHR and the Ministry of Health and Medical Education checklist. A sample of 15 warehouses in Kahrizak district, Rey County, were visited to assess their capacity in relation to the IHR using a 15-item checklist. RESULTS: Some weaknesses were seen in the IHR capacity in the study area. The main weaknesses were lack of an effective surveillance system for chemical accidents and low levels of safety in chemical plants and warehouses. Other weaknesses included the lack of awareness of residents about chemical hazards and poorly equipped health centres for the management of victims of chemical accidents. The study area was not prepared for chemical accidents both within industrial plants and residential areas. CONCLUSIONS: Action is needed to improve the areas of weakness so as to achieve the necessary capacities for chemical safety, and preparedness and response to chemical incidents in line with the IHR.