Assessing and improving cross-border chemical incident preparedness and response across Europe.
Good practices in emergency preparedness and response for chemical incidents include practices specific to the different functions of exposure assessment (e.g., within the monitoring function, the use of mobile monitoring equipment; within the modelling function, the use of rapid dispersion models with integrated mapping software) and generic practices to engage incident response stakeholders to maximise exposure assessment capabilities (e.g., sharing protocols and pre-prepared information and multi-agency training and exercising). Such practices can optimise cross-border collaboration. A wide range of practices have been implemented across MSs during chemical incident response, particularly during incidents that have cross-border and trans-boundary impacts. This paper proposes a self-assessment methodology to enable MSs, or organisations within MSs, to examine exposure assessment capabilities and communication pathways between exposure assessors and public health risk assessors. Where gaps exist, this methodology provides links to good practices that could improve response, communication and collaboration across local, regional and national borders. A fragmented approach to emergency preparedness for chemical incidents is a major obstacle to improving cross-border exposure assessment. There is no one existing body or structure responsible for all aspects of chemical incident preparedness and response in the European Union. Due to the range of different organisations and networks involved in chemical incident response, emergency preparedness needs to be drawn together. A number of recommendations are proposed, including the use of networks of experts which link public health risk assessors with experts in exposure assessment, in order to coordinate and improve chemical incident emergency preparedness. The EU's recent Decision on serious cross-border threats to health aims to facilitate MSs' compliance with the International Health Regulations, which require reporting and communication regarding significant chemical incidents. This provides a potential route to build on in order to improve chemical incident preparedness and response across Europe.
Public Health England, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Institute of Population Health, Nottingham City Hospital, Hucknall Road, Nottingham NG5 1PB, UK. Electronic address: james.stewart-evans@phe.gov.uk.
James
J
Stewart-Evans
Centre for Environmental Safety and Security, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
Lisbeth
L
Hall
Chemical Safety Department, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine Poland, 91-348 Lodz, 8 Sw. Teresy Street, Poland.
Slawomir
S
Czerczak
Public Health England, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Citygate, Gallowgate, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 4WH, UK.
Kevin
K
Manley
Public Health England, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, St. Philips Place, Birmingham B3 2PW, UK.
Alec
A
Dobney
Centre for Environmental Safety and Security, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
Sally
S
Hoffer
Chemical Safety Department, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine Poland, 91-348 Lodz, 8 Sw. Teresy Street, Poland.
Anna
A
Pałaszewska-Tkacz
Chemical Safety Department, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine Poland, 91-348 Lodz, 8 Sw. Teresy Street, Poland.
Agnieszka
A
Jankowska
D055884:Chemical Hazard Release / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000592:standards*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control; D005062:European Union; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D012647:Self-Assessment
Chemical incident; Emergency planning; Emergency preparedness; Emergency response; Exposure assessment; Risk assessment