The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #72062

Bart P. Simmons, PhD, Division of Toxic Substances Control, California Division of Health Services, 2151 Berkeley Way, Hazardous Materials Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94794, (510) 540-3112, bsimmons@dtsc.ca.gov

Since the anthrax contamination incidents, local Hazmat teams have routinely handled and screened these unknown white powders or other samples for hazardous properties. In chemical releases, the primary responsibility lies with the Hazmat team. As a result, depending on the level and extent of the threat, additional technologies are being provided to Hazmat teams for identification of chemical agents during the response phase of an incident involving chemicals. Recovery operations after a contaminating chemical incident also require detection and monitoring technology to decide whether clean-up levels have been met, and to make other post-incident decisions, such as when to re-occupy evacuated buildings. While many measurement technologies have been developed for military applications, using these technologies in a civilian setting requires a re-validation of the technologies for public health use. For biological agents, California has established a Laboratory Response Network to test and confirm presence/absence of pathogens. For radioactive releases, a system has been developed for response to releases from nuclear power plants. For pesticide releases, considerable field and laboratory resources are available to measure potential and actual human exposures. Using several scenarios: 1) a white powder found at an urban station, 2) white powder at a ski resort, and 3) a pesticide release near the Mexico border, the author will illustrate the critical factors involved in laboratory organizational responses.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify special laboratory needs and skills for investigating unknown contaminating agents
• Understand the laboratory role in response and recovery during chemical contamination
• Recognize the need for public health laboratories to develop and refine protocols to respond to contaminating chemical incidents

Keywords: Environmental Health Hazards,

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.