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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
William C. Bress, PhD, Lawrence G. Crist, JD, BA, and Jan K. Carney, MD, MPH. Vermont Department of Health, 108 Cherry Street, PO Box 70, Burlington, VT 05402
A chemical terrorist incident would invoke HAZMAT response from local emergency personnel. Evacuations, isolation zones and decontamination would be carried out in concordance with any other major HAZMAT spill. Casualties would be addressed and people would be hospitalized if needed. A number of potential chemical terrorism agents, however, present unique issues, in protecting public health.
There are no generally accepted health based standards or guidelines for many potential terrorist chemical agents. Most laboratories cannot yet test for these agents.
Guidelines may need to be developed for air, water, soil and food. Some agents, such as VX, may persist in the environment. If buildings and homes have been evacuated, re-entry numbers will be required to be developed. Having standards will require designated laboratories having the capability to accurately and safely analyze the chemicals in question.
Public health agencies are in a unique position to help prepare state and local communities to address these issues. Coordination with other terrorism preparedness activities such as bioterrorism and radiologic emergency preparedness, is essential. Integrated planning and response from involved state agencies and local officials and the development of clear public information are needed.
This presentation will discuss what would be needed in the aftermath of a chemical terrorist incident and strategies for advance preparedness.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Bioterrorism,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.