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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Stacy L. Young, MS, MPH, Lina Balluz, ScD, MPH, and Josephine Malilay, PhD, MPH. National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road (Mailstop E-23), Atlanta, GA 30333, 404-498-1877, say5@cdc.gov
Toxic releases from storage facilities, industrial plants or transportation vehicles that occur as the result of technological emergencies (e.g., equipment failure, severed pipelines) precipitated by natural disasters are known as natural-technological or "na-tech" events. Na-tech events are of concern given increases in population density and accelerating industrial development in areas subject to natural hazards. This report: 1) summarizes historical na-tech accounts; 2) documents na-tech releases associated with natural disasters occurring in the United States from 1990 to 1999; and 3) provides a framework for evaluating future incidents. We conducted a literature review to summarize historical incidents of environmental contamination occurring as a result of toxic releases during natural disasters, with particular emphasis on releases identified as na-tech events. We supplemented this summary with information from the National Response Center database and records from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to determine na-tech frequency and to characterize these releases. During the 10-year study period, 480 natural disaster events occurred in the United States. Of these, 250 disaster events were associated with at least one toxic release. We observed 1,152 na-tech events. While little can be done to modify the nature of a disaster and the natural releases that may occur, technological circumstances involved in a na-tech event offer a point of intervention that can be used to ameliorate or eliminate toxic releases during disaster situations. Thorough analysis of these releases will aid in the prevention and management of future releases.
Learning Objective: After attending this session, participants will be able to define the term na-tech and describe historical incidents and patterns in na-tech occurrence.
Learning Objectives: Toxic releases from storage facilities, industrial plants or transportation vehicles that occur as the result of technological emergencies (e.g., equipment failure, severed pipelines) precipitated by natural disasters are known as natural-technological or "na-tech" events. Na-tech events are of concern given increases in population density and accelerating industrial development in areas subject to natural hazards. This report
Keywords: Disasters, Toxicants
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.