Hazardous substances emergency events in educational institutions have not been previously described in detail in the literature. This analysis evaluates the adverse public health effects resulting from releases of hazardous substances at educational institutions from events reported by 14 participating states to the Hazardous Substances Emergency Event Surveillance (HSEES) system during 1993–1998. This system is an active, state-based surveillance system maintained by the Agency of Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Events included in this analysis were those identified as occurring at elementary and secondary schools, colleges and universities, vocational schools, or libraries. During the period 1993–1998, 394 events (1.3%) out of 30,345 were related to educational institutions. Of these, 117 (30%) events resulted in 1,053 victims and 187 (47.5%) events required evacuation of 47,525 persons. Compared with all other events reported to the surveillance system, events at educational institutions had a higher proportion of events with victims (RR=3.82; 95% CI=3.26–4.47) and events with evacuations (RR=5.75; 95% CI=5.14–6.42). For events with victims, the average number of victims per event was 2.1 times higher in educational institutions than in all other events, and for events with evacuations, the median number of evacuees per event was 57 at educational institutions, compared with 19 in all other events. The most common cause of the events was operator error, followed by equipment failure, improper mixing, and deliberate release. The majority of victims were exposed to spills emitting noxious gases, which mainly resulted in injuries reported as respiratory problems.
Learning Objectives: This analysis highlights the extent of the adverse public health effects resulting from releases of hazardous substances in educational institutions (i.e., the types of substances released, numbers of victims, evacuations and evacuees) and suggests some preventive measures to reduce the burden of those effects.
Keywords: Surveillance, School Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.