Chemical Hazards and Poisons |
Published on: 29 January 2010 |
Chemical Hazards and Poisons Report - issue 16 (January 2010)
The January 2010 issue of Chemical Hazards and Poisons Report is available to download from the HPA website, at www.hpa.org.uk/chemicals/reports.
A short article explains the background to the forthcoming merger, with effect from 1 April 2010, between the Chemical Hazards and Poisons and the Radiation Protection Divisions of the HPA. The combined divisions will be a single Agency Centre - the Centre for Radiation, Chemicals and Environmental Hazards (CRCE). The article notes that the merger will facilitate the development of synergies of expertise and assist in strengthening work in a number of areas, including:
- modelling of the movement of pollutants
- biokinetic studies on the uptake and distribution of pollutants in
the body - health effects studies on the mechanism of action of potential
harmful agents - response to emergencies and incidents
- development of service delivery
- training of healthcare professionals
- provision of consistent expert advice to the frontline.
A feature article reports the results of a review of incidents (the most notable of which was the explosion and fire at the Buncefield fuel terminal in December 2005) reported to the Agency’s Chemical Hazards and Poisons Division that were suspected and/or confirmed to be related to sites regulated under the Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Regulations.
- public use of HPA online guidance for cleaning up after mercury thermometer breakages;
a Hazmed training course run by the Yorkshire Ambulance Service; - the start of a project to develop a Recovery Handbook for Chemical Incidents that will codify
- est practice based on past emergencies in the UK and abroad;
- reports from past conferences and courses, and details of forthcoming events in 2010.
Regular emails providing information about future issues of the Chemical Hazards and Poisons Report are available. For subscriptions contact: chapreport@hpa.org.uk.