Emergency preparedness among people living near US army chemical weapons sites after September 11, 2001.
We examined trust in the army and perceptions of emergency preparedness among residents living near the Anniston, Ala, and Richmond, Ky, US Army chemical weapons stockpile sites shortly after September 11, 2001. Residents (n = 655) living near the 2 sites who participated in a cross-sectional population were relatively unprepared in the event of a chemical emergency. The events of September 11 gave rise to concerns regarding the security of stored chemical weapons and the sites' vulnerability to terrorist attacks. Although residents expressed trust in the army to manage chemical weapons safely, only a few expressed a desire to actively participate in site decisions. Compliance with procedures during emergencies could be seriously limited, putting residents in these sites at higher levels of risk of exposure to chemical hazards than nonresidents.
Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38103, USA. bwilli36@utmem.edu
Bryan L
BL
Williams
Melina S
MS
Magsumbol
D000328:Adult; D000407:Alabama; D001290:Attitude; D051337:Chemical Terrorism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000600:supply & distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D004189:Disaster Planning; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007629:Kentucky; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012449:Safety; D012637:Security Measures / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D047851:September 11 Terrorist Attacks; D012938:Social Perception; D035502:Trust; D014481:United States; D037041:United States Government Agencies
D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents