| Title: | Surveillance of hazardous substance releases and related health effects |
| Author(s): | Hall HI; Dhara VR; Kaye WE; Price-Green P; |
| Address: | "Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, Georgia" |
| DOI: | 10.1080/00039896.1994.9934413 |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 0003-9896 (Print) 0003-9896 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "The public health consequences of hazardous substance releases have not been characterized adequately. In response, therefore, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry implemented an active, state-based surveillance system. Information is collected with respect to the events, chemicals, victims, injuries, and evacuations. Five states reported 1,249 events during 1990 and 1991. Seventy-two percent of the events occurred at fixed facilities, and 28% of the events were transportation related. In 80% of the events, one chemical was released. The most frequently released chemicals were herbicides, acids, volatile organic compounds, and ammonias. In 204 events, 846 persons were injured and 7 died. Employees were injured more frequently than first responders or the general public. The most frequently reported injuries were respiratory irritation and eye irritation. Evacuations occurred in 14% of the events. These results provide information for preparedness planning and training of first responders and employees" |
| Keywords: | Adult Computer Systems Emergencies Female Hazardous Substances/classification/*poisoning Humans Male Occupational Diseases/chemically induced/*epidemiology Population Surveillance/*methods Transportation United States; |
| Notes: | "MedlineHall, H I Dhara, V R Kaye, W E Price-Green, P eng 1994/01/01 Arch Environ Health. 1994 Jan-Feb; 49(1):45-8. doi: 10.1080/00039896.1994.9934413" |
