Hazmat disaster preparedness in Hong Kong: what are the hazardous materials on Lantau, Lamma, and Hong Kong Islands?
OBJECTIVE
Hazmat disaster preparedness is critical, especially as Hong Kong prepares for major international events, such as the 2008 Olympic Equestrian Games. No published medical study describes the identities and quantities of hazardous materials (HMs) in Hong Kong and lists what antidotes are needed for these dangerous goods (DGs). This study describes what HMs are most common in Hong Kong to prioritize disaster preparedness and training.


METHODS
A descriptive, cross-sectional study.


METHODS
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, specifically Lantau, Lamma, and Hong Kong Islands.


METHODS
The Hong Kong Fire Services Department (HKFSD) Dangerous Goods Database (DGD).


METHODS
Descriptive statistical analyses with Stata 9.2.


METHODS
Identifying and quantifying HMs in the HKFSD DGD.


RESULTS
Most HMs do not have antidotes. The most common HMs with recognized antidotes are carbon monoxide, methylene chloride, fluorides, cyanides, nitriles, hydrazine, methanol, and nitrates. The most common categories of DGs are substances giving off inflammable vapors, compressed gases, and corrosive and poisonous substances.


CONCLUSIONS
Hazmat disaster preparedness and training should emphasize these most common categories of DGs. Disaster planning should ensure adequate antidotes for HMs with recognized antidotes, ie, oxygen for carbon monoxide and methylene chloride; calcium gluconate and calcium chloride for fluorides; hydroxocobalamin or amyl nitrite, sodium nitrite, and sodium thiosulfate for cyanides and nitriles; pyridoxine for hydrazine; fomepizole or ethanol for methanol; and methylene blue for methemoglobinemia produced by nitrates. Supportive care is essential for patients exposed to HMs because most DGs do not have antidotes.
Walter
Frank G
FG
Bureau of Emergency Preparedness and Response, Arizona Department of Health Services, Tucson, USA.
Chan
Jimmy Tak-shing
JT
Winegard
Billie
B
Chase
Peter B
PB
Shirazi
Farshad
F
Chow
Yuk-Yin
YY
de Boer
Melanie
M
Denninghoff
Kurt
K
D000931:Antidotes; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003666:Decontamination / Q000379:methods; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000379:methods*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D015386:Hazardous Substances; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D023481:Terrorism / Q000517:prevention & control
D000931:Antidotes; D015386:Hazardous Substances