Hazardous ammonia releases in Wisconsin: trends and risk factors for evacuation and injury.
OBJECTIVE
To assess trends in hazardous ammonia releases and risk factors for subsequent evacuation and injury.


METHODS
Analysis of the Wisconsin Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance system data during 1993 through 1998.


RESULTS
Ammonia releases (291) accounted for 13% of all reported chemical releases, but 26% of all releases that led to evacuations. The majority of non-transportation-related ammonia releases are the result of equipment failure or operator error (85.5%). Few ammonia releases are transportation-related (6.5%) or occur during extreme weather (14.4%). Extreme weather is not a risk factor for evacuation or injury following ammonia releases.


CONCLUSIONS
Ammonia releases are frequently the result of equipment failure or operator error and thus preventable. The majority of ammonia releases that lead to evacuation and injury are not the result of transportation accidents or weather factors beyond human control. Prevention efforts that focus on preventive maintenance, and worker training and awareness could reduce the burden of hazardous ammonia releases.
Weisskopf
M G
MG
Bureau of Environmental Health, Division of Public Health, Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, USA.
Drew
J M
JM
Hanrahan
L P
LP
Anderson
H A
HA
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000641:Ammonia; D015386:Hazardous Substances; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D014887:Weather; D014922:Wisconsin / Q000453:epidemiology
D015386:Hazardous Substances; D000641:Ammonia