Health Protection Agency releases chemical hazards report

17 September 2008

The Health Protection Agency has today published its Chemical Hazards and Poisons Report to coincide with its annual conference in Warwick.

One chapter reveals how the Agency is developing a best practice methodology for dealing with carbon monoxide incidents.

The Agency’s best practice ‘toolkit,’ which is currently being tested, includes a flowchart specifying how the Agency’s Health Protection Units should deal with carbon monoxide incidents, from identification of the source of carbon monoxide until the incident area is declared safe.

Carbon monoxide - a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas created from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels - causes more than 50 accidental deaths a year in England and Wales.

An article by the British Geological Survey and the University of Edinburgh reveals how satellites can now track tiny movements in the earth’s crust. Parts of London have been sinking by up to 3mm a year (1990s) while other areas are ‘heaving’ upwards by up to 2mm a year. The mapping technique can be used to show the vulnerability of ground to natural disasters and is being tested by the European Space Agency in many cities across the EU and beyond.

Another topic covered is a review of the risks posed to Montserrat islanders from exposure to volcanic ash. Although volcanic activity, starting in 1995, has made much of the south of the island uninhabitable, the Montserrat government accepted British scientific advice in 1997 that the island did not have to be completely evacuated. However, the health risks created by the potential inhalation of ash particles suspended in air remains a concern to around 4,000 islanders who live in the north.

Professor Anthony Seaton and Agency scientist Professor Robert Maynard concluded that while the risk to health from exposure to ash particles is relatively small in comparison to volcanic eruption, special care should be taken to reduce exposure to children and workers as well as the overall population.

Ends

Notes to editors
1.      The Health Protection Agency’s Annual Conference takes place at Warwick University from Monday, 15 September 2008 - Wednesday, 17 September 2008. Further information can be found at the conference website at www.healthprotectionconference.org.uk   

2.      A paper copy of the Chemical Hazards and Poisons Report - Sept 2008 (issue 13), is available from the Chemical Hazards and Poisons Division (CHaPD) of the HPA, and can be requested through the Press Office on 01235-822876, 01235-822745 or 01235-822603.

3.      Chemical Hazards and Poisons Division (CHaPD) is part of the HPA’s Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, based in Chilton, Oxfordshire.

4.      Montserrat is a British overseas territory located in the Leeward Islands and is part of a chain of islands called the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea.

5.      The Health Protection Agency’s Annual Conference takes place at the University of Warwick from 15th to 17th September. Further information can be found at the conference website at www.healthprotectionconference.org.uk

6.      The Health Protection 2008 conference press office can be contacted between 9am – 5pm on 024 765 72982; out of hours on 0208 200 4400.

Last reviewed: 17 September 2008