Hemel Hempstead explosions: Q&As on health effects
| Reviewed 19 December 2005 |
Following the explosions and subsequent fire at the Buncefield oil depot in Hemel Hempstead on Sunday 11 December 2005, the Health Protection Agency issued the following advice on 12 December:
Advice issued on 12 December
A major fire has been burning at a site in Hemel Hempstead since the early hours of Sunday 11 December 2005.
This has resulted in a plume of dense smoke, the direction of which continues to change. For further updated information, please see the Met Office website.
The larger particles, which are obvious when deposited on cars, washing and the outside environment, pose a minimal risk.
It is the much smaller particles that can be inhaled which may cause problems to susceptible individuals. People at most risk would be those with pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or pre-existing cardiac conditions such as angina.
Healthy people exposed to these particles are unlikely to experience any long-term health effects.
Q. I was in Hemel Hempstead at the time the fire was burning. Am I at risk?
A. Smoke from whatever source poses a risk when inhaled. This is because the particulate matter it contains acts as an irritant. If enough smoke is inhaled, this can cause a sensation of tightness of the chest, difficulty with breathing, or coughing. If you did not experience any symptoms at the time you were in the area you are unlikely to have any health effects now.
Q. I suffer from a respiratory problem/cardiac problem. Will this fire affect me?
A. People most at risk from inhalation of particles are those with existing respiratory problems such as asthma or chronic bronchitis or cardiac problems such as angina. The advice to them is to avoid exposure if possible.
If people can see the smoke or can see evidence of soot particles on windowsills or external surfaces they should stay indoors with windows and doors closed and any air-conditioning either switched off or set to internally re-circulate the air until the fire has been brought under control.
If your asthma has been aggravated by inhaling the smoke you may need to use your inhaler more often to control the symptoms. If your symptoms are sufficiently severe you may need to see your GP or go to a local out-of-hours centre for further treatment.
If your angina has been aggravated by inhaling the smoke you may need to increase the amount of medication you take to control your condition. If your symptoms are sufficiently severe you may need to see your GP or go to a local out-of-hours centre for further treatment.
Q. I can see smoke out of my window. Should I attempt to get away from this?
A. No. The safest place to be is indoors where you will be protected from the worst of the smoke if you keep the doors and windows closed.
Going out into the smoke increases the risk that you will inhale it and this may cause you problems.
Q. Will I suffer any long-term effects from breathing the smoke?
A. Those people who are affected will mostly have immediate effects such as coughing or a tight chest. These symptoms usually disappear very soon after the exposure has ceased and do not lead to any long-term health problems. If your symptoms persist you may need to see your doctor.
Q. I am pregnant. Will this affect my baby?
A. No. Your baby is at no greater risk than you are from the smoke and is generally protected by you from any exposure.
Q. My children were playing outside when the smoke cloud came over. Are they at risk?
A. No. If they did not experience any symptoms at the time of the exposure they are unlikely to have any now.
Q. My garden is covered in a layer of black soot. Is this harmful to me or my animals?
A. The soot is basically just carbon dust, although it may contain some irritant chemicals. Because of its size it is unlikely that it could be inhaled if disturbed and so would be unlikely to cause any respiratory symptoms. It can safely be washed off cars and furniture. Further tests are taking place to establish what, if any, chemicals are in the soot.
Q. Will I still be able to eat fruit and vegetables from my garden?
A. If any fruits and vegetables in the garden have been covered by a sooty deposit it would be advisable to wash them thoroughly and peel them before they are eaten.
Q. Is it safe for children to go to school near the fuel depot?
A. If the fire is still burning the police and fire service will decide whether it is safe for children to attend school and will advise when it is safe to reopen the school.
Q. Is it safe for me to go to the site or drive past it?
A. It would be advisable to avoid unnecessary travel near to the area involved in the fire both to reduce exposure to smoke and to aid the emergency services in dealing with the incident.
Q. My house was damaged by the blast. When can I return home?
A. The police have set up a cordon around the site and until this has been lifted it would be unwise to attempt to return to your home. People in rest centres will be advised when it is safe for them to return home.
Q. What is the reasoning underlying the advice that schools should be treated differently from workplaces, nurseries and old people's homes?
A. All such decisions are on a precautionary principle and need value judgement.
1. Children have higher surface/volume ratio and therefore are at greater risk, they are also more susceptible to many chemicals on a dose/weight basis.
2. Children at school have to be outside at points during the day. With adults this is voluntary.
3. Schools produce a significant proportion of peak traffic and this would exacerbate the likely traffic problems.
4. There will be more precipitation of pollution closer to the plant and this is the basis of the geographical decision.
5. Nurseries are normally local to parents and they can obey the "stay in" principle.
Last reviewed: 2 December 2008
