Safe management of mass fatalities following chemical, biological, and radiological incidents.
Contaminated mass fatalities following the release of chemical, biological, or radiological agents pose a potential major health hazard. A United Kingdom government investigation has identified a number of areas of risk. This paper presents an outline of the findings of the study and describes specific pathways for the management of contaminated and non-contaminated fatalities. Factors determining the choice between cremation and burial are discussed. Effective decontamination remains a neglected area of study for both fatalities and casualties.
Baker
David J
DJ
Health Protection Agency, London, UK. david.baker@hpa.org.uk
Jones
Kelly A
KA
Mobbs
Shelly F
SF
Sepai
Ovnair
O
Morgan
Dilys
D
Murray
Virginia S G
VS
D019985:Benchmarking; D001694:Biological Warfare; D002048:Burial; D002618:Chemical Warfare; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D055700:Cremation; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D054527:Mass Casualty Incidents; D009689:Nuclear Warfare; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017751:Safety Management / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D023481:Terrorism; D006113:United Kingdom
D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents