Technological incidents

Chemical and radionuclear incidents

Technological (non-natural) incidents include accidents at hazardous installations (e.g. accidental release or explosions at chemical or nuclear power plants), and accidents while hazardous substances are in transport (e.g. oil tankers or chemicals transported by trains, tankers or lorries).

Rapid industrialization and new technologies have produced new hazards. Technological disasters often result in an unexpected and uncontrolled release of hazardous materials that have the potential to cause health problems. The severity and frequency of this type of disaster has increased. With the proliferation of nuclear power and chemical plants, disasters on the scale of Chernobyl or Bhopal cannot be ruled out.

KEY resources

WHO

• Arrangements for Preparedness for a Nuclear or Radiological Emergency (IAEA/WHO, 2007) [pdf 1.4mb]
• Assessing the health consequences of major chemical incidents - epidemiological approaches (1997)
• Basics of radiation and radiation protection [pdf 185kb]
• Chemical safety information from Intergovernmental Organizations (including International Chemical Safety Cards, Poison Information Monographs, and Environmental Health Criteria)
• Environmental health in emergencies and disasters: a practical guide (2002)
• IPCS Guidance for national and regional policy makers in the public/environmental health roles
  pdf, 1.13Mb
• Generic procedures for medical response during a nuclear or radiological emergency (IAEA/WHO, 2005) [pdf 2.17Mb]
• Guidelines for drinking-water quality (2006)
  Chapter 6. Application of the guidelines in specific circumstances
  Chapter 8. Chemical aspects
  Chapter 12. Chemical fact sheets
  Annex 4. Chemical summary tables
• Joint radiation emergency management plan of the international organizations (IAEA/WHO, 2010) [pdf 1.7MB]
• Manual for First Responders to a Radiological Emergency (IAEA/WHO, 2007)
• Poisons information monographs, IPCS Antidote Monographs & treatment guides
• Preparedness and response for a nuclear or radiological emergency (IAEA/WHO, 2002) [pdf 315kb]

Non-WHO

• Documentation for immediately dangerous to life or health concentrations (IDLH): NIOSH chemical listing and documentation of revised IDLH values
• Emergency notification and assistance. Technical operations manual (IAEA, 2007) [pdf 2.71Mb]
• Health aspects of chemical accidents, guidance on chemical accident awareness, preparedness and response for health professionals and emergency responders. OECD Environment Monograph No. 81 (1994)

Other resources

WHO

• Air quality guidelines for Europe (2000)
• Guidelines for drinking-water quality (2006)
• Water safety plans: managing drinking-water quality from catchment to consumer (2005)

Non-WHO

• International directory of emergency response centres of chemical accidents (OECD/UNEP/OCHA)
• OECD guiding principles for chemical accident prevention, preparedness and response (OECD/IOMC, 2003) [pdf 1.34Mb]
• Emergeny Conventions (IAEA, 1987)

Related sites

• WHO ionizing radiation site: radiation accidents and emergencies
• Chemical Safety Information from Intergovernmental Organizations (IPCS INCHEM)
• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
• The International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS). Chemical incidents and emergencies
• The International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS) INTOX Programme
• World disasters report 2010