Every day in Britain, serious chemical incidents occur which threaten people's health. Such potential health threats might involve chemical fires, chemical contamination of the environment, or the deliberate release of chemicals and poisons. Old tyres catch fire releasing clouds of toxic smoke, acid leaks out of a tanker creating noxious gas or an explosion rips through an industrial plant.
The Health Protection Agency provides authoritative scientific and medical advice to the NHS and other bodies about the known health effects of chemicals, poisons and other environmental hazards.
Compendium of Chemical Hazards »
The Chemical Hazards and Poisons Division is producing a series entitled a Compendium of Chemical Hazards. The style and content have been developed following extensive joint working across the HPA and the chemicals chosen have been selected following an audit of queries.
Children’s Environment and Health Action Plan for Europe »
Children’s Environment and Health Action Plan for Europe (CEHAPE) is an initiative led by the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe (WHO Euro). It was launched in June 2004 and signed by all the member states (currently 53 in number), including the UK. The aim of the CEHAPE is to protect the health of children and young people from environmental hazards.
Poison information Services »
Poisoning accounts for more than 100,000 NHS hospital admissions in the UK each year or about 1% of the total number and a significant workload for hospital emergency departments and minor injuries units. Many thousands of different agents are involved and the appropriate management of poisoning is therefore a major task for the NHS.
Chemical Incident Surveillance »
Chemical incidents need to be detected early so that effective action can be taken to protect public health. Response and surveillance systems are therefore an essential component of the Agency's role, along with research to evaluate the immediate and longer-term health effects of exposure