Health Protection Agency Records An Increase In Chemical Incidents, UK

Main Category: Public Health
Also Included In: Asbestos / Mesothelioma
Article Date: 21 May 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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Given the wide use of chemicals in industry, farming and the home, there are frequent incidents involving chemicals in the UK and in other developed countries. The Health Protection Agency today reveals that it recorded 1,015 chemical incidents in England and Wales in 2007 - up five percent on the 2006 figures. Fires were the most common cause of chemical releases, accounting for 28 per cent of the 2007 total. Chemical spills were 14 per cent of the total and leaks of chemicals were also 14 per cent. Releases of vapours and gases (including carbon monoxide gas) were 15 per cent.

The information is revealed in the HPA's Chemical Incident Surveillance Review 2006-2007. The incidents varied in seriousness, from a major fire at a plastics' factory in Corby, Northamptonshire, to broken mercury thermometers inside people's homes. The review highlights the HPA Chemical Hazards and Poisons Division's role in providing 24 hour, 365 days a year specialist advice on the health implications of chemical incidents to HPA Health Protection Units and other agencies, including the NHS and emergency services.

Dr Patrick Saunders, lead editor of the report, said: "Providing specialist advice to help the public health response to chemical incidents is a major function of the HPA. The surveillance system for England and Wales helps the HPA anticipate emerging trends and reduce exposure to chemical incidents." He added: "The database shows that chemical incidents don't usually cause fatalities in England and Wales but there is a risk of short term symptoms and health effects in some cases."

Notes

- The chemicals most frequently recorded during incidents by HPA staff for 2006 and 2007 were: Products of Combustion, 31 percent; Metals (including mercury), six per cent; Acids, five per cent; Petroleum / Oils, four per cent; Ammonia, three per cent; Halogens, three per cent; Asbestos, two per cent; Unknown, 11 per cent; Carbon Monoxide, two per cent; and other Inorganic and Organic Chemicals, 28 per cent.

- London recorded 30 per cent of all incidents, the South East 13 per cent, South West 13 per cent, West Midlands 11 per cent, North West seven per cent, East of England seven per cent, Yorkshire and Humber six per cent, Wales four per cent and the North East three per cent.

- The Chemical Hazards and Poisons Division is part of the HPA's Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards. It provides advice to UK Government departments and other agencies on human health effects from chemicals in water, soil and waste.

- A chemical incident is defined as: "An acute event in which there is, or could be, exposure of the public to chemical substances which cause, or have the potential to cause, ill health."

- Because the HPA is not informed of every chemical incident in England and Wales, the actual number of incidents is likely to be higher than recorded.

Health Protection Agency