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Developing Health-Based Pre-Planning Clearance Goals for Airport Remediation Following Chemical Terrorist Attack:
Annetta Watson1, Linda Hall, Ellen Raber
1Toxicology and Hazard Assessment, Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA.
Human and Ecological Risk Assessment : HERA
|March 11, 2011
Summary
Effective pre-planning is crucial for rapid recovery after a chemical terrorist attack at transportation hubs. Developing conceptual site models and human health-based exposure guidelines aids in safe, expedited facility restoration and re-entry.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Public Health
- Chemical Safety
Background:
- Chemical terrorist attacks on transportation hubs pose significant risks requiring extensive remediation.
- Restoration timelines are highly variable, influenced by pre-event planning and decision-making processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key considerations and decision criteria for post-attack consequence management.
- To develop a conceptual site model and human health-based exposure guidelines for facility recovery.
- To expedite safe facility reuse following chemical releases.
Main Methods:
- Development of a conceptual site model tailored for transportation hubs.
- Establishment of human health-based exposure guidelines for critical chemicals.
- Case study analysis conducted in partnership with major international airports.
Main Results:
- Proposed guidelines facilitate site-specific pre-planning in the absence of federal remediation standards.
- The study provides a framework for managing consequence activities post-chemical release.
- Recommended guidelines align with airport-specific release scenarios.
Conclusions:
- Proactive planning and established exposure guidelines are essential for efficient post-attack recovery.
- The developed framework supports safe and rapid restoration of transportation hubs.
- This research aids in mitigating the impact of chemical incidents on public spaces.
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