title: Managing disasters involving hazardous substances in Canada: technical and sociopolitical issues.
abstract: This article focuses on the management lessons learned from disasters involving hazardous materials, which occurred in Quebec, Canada, between 1988 and 1995. The findings of the previous case studies of Canadian and some other disasters are considered as well. Both technical and sociopolitical issues on the disaster management are contemplated from the viewpoint of complexity and uncertainty. A distinction is made between the two concepts through specific examples. In addition, two types of uncertainty, first and second-level, are differentiated. The relationship between technical and sociopolitical issues of such management are then illustrated, and the salience of efficient disaster risk communication between technical specialists and the public for bridging the gap existing between these two types of issues is shown.
authors.affiliation: Mathematics and Industrial Engineering Department, Ecole Polytechnique, University of Montreal, P.O. 6128, Downtown Station, Montreal, QC, Canada H3C 3J7. helene.davis@mail.polymtl.ca
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Denis
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D003142:Communication; D004189:Disaster Planning; D015386:Hazardous Substances; D011050:Policy Making; D011057:Politics; D011640:Public Policy; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012924:Social Conditions
chemical_list: D015386:Hazardous Substances