title: Surveillance of hazardous substance releases and related health effects.
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.
authors.affiliation: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: H I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: V R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Dhara
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Kaye
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Price-Green
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003199:Computer Systems; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000145:classification / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D014186:Transportation; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D015386:Hazardous Substances