Manual for the Public Health Management of Chemical Incidents
|
No Comments |
Chemical releases arising from technological incidents, natural disasters, and from conflict and terrorism are common. The International Federation of the Red Cross has estimated that between 1998 and 2007, there were nearly 3200 technological disasters with approximately 100000 people killed and nearly 2 million people affected. The production and use of chemicals is predicted to increase worldwide, and this is particularly true in developing countries and those with economies in transition where increased chemical extraction, processing and use is closely tied to economic development. An ever increasing dependency on chemical extraction, processing and use is closely tied to economic development. An ever increasing dependency on chemicals requires the health sector to expand its traditional roles and responsibilities to be able to address the public health and medical issues associated with the use of chemicals and their health effects.
A number of important international initiatives heve recently been undertaken that require countries to strengthen capacities in relation to the health aspects of chemical incidents and emergencies:
In 2005, the revised International Health Regulations (IHR [2005]) were adopted by the World Health Assembly. Entering info force in 2007, IHR (2005) is a legally binding agreement contributing to international public health security by providing a framework for the coordination of the mangement of events that may constitute a public health emergency of international concern, and for strengthening the capacity of all countries to detect, assess, notify and respond to public health threats. Initially developed for certain infectious diseases, the revised IHR (2005) also covers those public health threats involving chemicals.
In 2006, the Strategic Approach for International Chemicals Management (SAICM) was adopted by the International Conference on Chemicals Management. SAICM provides a policy framework to promote chemical safety around the world, including many aspects of chemical incident prevention and preparadness. It comprises the Dubai Declaration expressing high-level political commitment to SAICM and an Overarching Policy Strategy whicah sets out its scope, needs, objectives, financial considerations, underlying principles and approaches and implementation and review arrangements. The Declaration and Strategy are accompanied by a Global Plan of Action that serves as a working tool and guidance document to support implementation of the SAICM.
The purpose of the WHO Manual for the Public Health Mangement of Chemical Incidents is to provide a comprehensive overview of the principles and roles of public health in the management of chemical incidents and emergencies. While this information is provided for each phase of the emergency cycle, including prevention, planning and preparadness, detection and alert, response and recovery, it is recognized that the management of chemical incidents and emergencies require a multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral approach and that the health sector may play an influencing, complementary or a leadership role at various stages of the management process. The target audience includes public health and environmental professionals, as well as any other person involved in the mangement of chemical incidents.
0 Comments
