RELEASES OF DANGEROUS CHEMICALS IN POLAND IN 2005 IN THE CONTEXT<br /> OF THE HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES EMERGENCY EVENTS SURVEILLANCE (HSEES) SYSTEM DEVELOPED IN THE US
Journal Title: International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health - Year 2008, Vol 21, Issue 4
Abstract
[b]Objectives: [/b]To present a dataset concerning acute releases of hazardous chemicals in Poland in 2005 in the context of the HSEES system implemented in Poland. [b]Material and Methods: [/b]ATSDR, as the coordinator of the HSEES system, determined the kind and scope of data to be collected. In Poland, the fi re department's reports were the main source of information on chemical emergencies. [b]Results:[/b] In 2005, as many as 245 incidents of chemical release and 23 of threatened release were recorded. Most of acute chemical incidents were associated with transportation and warehousing (106; 39.6%); in this truck transportation accounted for almost 50%, and the chemical and food sector for a little more than 50% of the total incidents. Human error and equipment failure were the primary causal factors, contributing respectively to 147 (54.9%) and 103 (38.4%) incidents. The chemicals involved most frequently were mercury (21.4%), propane-butane mixture (9.7%), ammonia (7.1%), hydrochloric acid, natural gas, sulfuric acid (5.2-5.6%) and nitric acid (5.2%). Out of 268 emergencies, 43 (16.0%) involved casualties: 191 in total, including 180 (94.2%) in the fixed facility incidents and 11 (5.8%) in the transportation-related incidents. The largest group of casualties were students (97) followed by employees (62). The most common injury related to chemical emergency was respiratory irritation (142; 74.3%). [b]Conclusions: [/b]The database on acute chemical emergencies in Poland, based on the HSEES system, makes it possible to generate a variety of statistical analyses that are helpful in planning effective prevention activities to diminish the harmful effects of such incidents.
Authors and Affiliations
ANNA PAŁASZEWSKA-TKACZ
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP139384
- DOI 10.2478/v10001-008-0035-7
- Views 70
- Downloads 0
RELEASES OF DANGEROUS CHEMICALS IN POLAND IN 2005 IN THE CONTEXT<br /> OF THE HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES EMERGENCY EVENTS SURVEILLANCE (HSEES) SYSTEM DEVELOPED IN THE US
[b]Objectives: [/b]To present a dataset concerning acute releases of hazardous chemicals in Poland in 2005 in the context of the HSEES system implemented in Poland. [b]Material and Methods: [/b]ATSDR, as the coordinator...
SELF-IMAGE AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF DERMATOLOGY PATIENTS
[b]Objectives:[/b] The problems of self-image among patients with dermal problems have been seldom explored. As dermal diseases detrimentally affect well-being, functioning and adaptation of dermatology patients, they ma...
Musculoskeletal symptoms and exposure to whole-body vibration among open-pit mine workers in the Arctic
Objectives: This cross-sectional questionnaire study was carried out at 4 open-pit mines in Finland, Norway, Russia and Sweden as part of the MineHealth project. The aim has been to compare the prevalence of musculoskele...
The associations of work style and physical exercise with the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in nurses
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) in nurses, and to explore the association of work style and physical exercise with WMSD in this professional gro...
Albumin adducts and urinary metabolites resulting from occupational exposure to 1,5-naphthalene diisocyanate
Objectives: 1,5-Naphthalene diisocyanate (NDI) is used in the plastic industry as a curing agent. 1,5-Naphthalene diisocyanate is classified as a sensitizing agent. The objective of this study has been to develop biomoni...