Surveillance for adverse health effects following a chemical release in west virginia.
On 11 August 1985, a large inadvertent release occurred from a chemical manufacturing plant in Institute, West Virginia. The emission was related to overheating of a storage tank that contained chemicals for the production of aldicarb, a cholinesterase inhibiting pesticide. As a result of this emission, 136 persons were treated in five local emergency rooms, 29 of whom were hospitalized for one or more days, mostly for observation. No fatalities resulted. Interviews with treated persons and non-treated community residents confirmed that the health effects were transient and compatible with exposure to irritating vapors rather than with exposure to methyl isocyanate (a chemical used in the process) or to aldicarb. Only 5% of the treated persons and 5% of the community residents surveyed were adequately warned of the emission by the plant siren. Because persons in the nearby community are potentially vulnerable to chemical injury, we recommend the development of an improved warning system, a formal evacuation procedure, and other measures to limit exposure of persons in this area in the event of a future release.
Office of Epidemiology and Health Promotion West Virginia Department of Health 1800 Washington Street Charleston, West Virginia 25305 and the Division of Field Services Epidemiology Program Office Centers for Disease Control 1600 Clifton Road Atlanta, Georgia 30333 Division of Environmental Hazards & Health Effects Center for Environmental Health & Injury Control Centers for Disease Control.
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Sanderson