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Injuries caused by hazardous materials accidents
S N Kales1, G N Polyhronopoulos, M J Castro
1Department of Medicine, Cambridge Hospital, MA 02139, USA.
Annals of Emergency Medicine
|November 14, 1997
Summary
Hazardous material incidents frequently involve hydrocarbons and corrosives, with chlorine derivatives causing the most victims. Respiratory irritants are the primary cause of mass casualty incidents requiring hospital transport.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Toxicology
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Hazardous material (HazMat) incidents pose significant risks to prehospital and emergency department (ED) personnel.
- Understanding common exposures is crucial for effective incident response and personnel safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the types of exposures encountered by emergency responders during hazardous material incidents.
- To identify common chemicals and exposure routes associated with these events.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis was conducted on hazardous material incident reports.
- Data were collected from six district hazardous material teams in Massachusetts.
- Reports spanned from the teams' inception through May 1996.
Main Results:
- Hydrocarbons and corrosive materials were the most frequently involved chemicals.
- Chlorine derivatives accounted for 18% of incidents and 23% of victim-producing incidents.
- Respiratory exposures were the most common, leading to the highest number of hospital transports, with 94% of incidents producing symptomatic victims.
Conclusions:
- Inhalation of respiratory irritants is the most probable cause of mass casualty incidents requiring ED transport.
- Descriptive data from such incidents can inform and enhance preparedness strategies for hazardous material victims.