Lessons learned from hazardous chemical incidents--Louisiana Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance (HSEES) system. 2004

Chih-Yang Hu, and Dionne J Raymond
Section of Environmental Epidemiology and Toxicology, Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health, State of Louisiana, 325 Loyola Ave., Suite 210, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA. chiyanghu@yahoo.com

Since 2001, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (LDHH) has participated in the Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance (HSEES) system. In 2001, there were 815 events qualified for HSEES surveillance. Data for each event was gathered and analyzed. During these hazardous substances events, there were 1164 chemicals released resulting in injuries to 63 people, most with respiratory system irritation. Even though more people were injured in fixed-facility events, injuries were more likely to result from transportation-related events. The quantity and frequency of hazardous substance releases do not always positively correlate with the number of injuries sustained during those releases. A higher percentage of "Rail" transport events was observed in Louisiana when compared with other HSEES states. By collecting and analyzing more data and disseminating results to the public, it is expected that further adverse public health consequences from hazardous releases/spills in Louisiana can be reduced and/or minimized.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008145 Louisiana State bounded by Arkansas on the north, by Mississippi on the east, the Gulf of Mexico on the south and Texas on the west.
D008297 Male Males
D009026 Mortality All deaths reported in a given population. CFR Case Fatality Rate,Crude Death Rate,Crude Mortality Rate,Death Rate,Age Specific Death Rate,Age-Specific Death Rate,Case Fatality Rate,Decline, Mortality,Determinants, Mortality,Differential Mortality,Excess Mortality,Mortality Decline,Mortality Determinants,Mortality Rate,Mortality, Differential,Mortality, Excess,Age-Specific Death Rates,Case Fatality Rates,Crude Death Rates,Crude Mortality Rates,Death Rate, Age-Specific,Death Rate, Crude,Death Rates,Determinant, Mortality,Differential Mortalities,Excess Mortalities,Mortalities,Mortality Declines,Mortality Determinant,Mortality Rate, Crude,Mortality Rates,Rate, Age-Specific Death,Rate, Case Fatality,Rate, Crude Death,Rate, Crude Mortality,Rate, Death,Rate, Mortality,Rates, Case Fatality
D011481 Protective Clothing Clothing designed to protect the individual against possible exposure to known hazards. Clothing, Protective
D012140 Respiratory Tract Diseases Diseases involving the RESPIRATORY SYSTEM. Respiratory Diseases,Respiratory System Diseases,Disease, Respiratory System,Disease, Respiratory Tract,Respiratory System Disease,Respiratory Tract Disease
D004632 Emergency Medical Services Services specifically designed, staffed, and equipped for the emergency care of patients. Emergency Care,Emergency Health Services,Emergicenters,Prehospital Emergency Care,Emergency Care, Prehospital,Emergency Services, Medical,Medical Services, Emergency,Services, Emergency Medical,Emergency Health Service,Emergency Medical Service,Emergency Service, Medical,Emergicenter,Health Service, Emergency,Health Services, Emergency,Medical Emergency Service,Medical Emergency Services,Medical Service, Emergency,Service, Emergency Health,Service, Emergency Medical,Service, Medical Emergency,Services, Emergency Health,Services, Medical Emergency
D004868 Equipment Failure Failure of equipment to perform to standard. The failure may be due to defects or improper use. Defects, Equipment,Device Failure,Failure, Equipment,Malfunction, Equipment,Medical Device Failure,Misuse, Equipment,Device Failure, Medical,Device Failures, Medical,Failure, Medical Device,Failures, Medical Device,Defect, Equipment,Device Failures,Equipment Defect,Equipment Defects,Equipment Failures,Equipment Malfunction,Equipment Malfunctions,Equipment Misuse,Equipment Misuses,Failure, Device,Failures, Device,Failures, Equipment,Malfunctions, Equipment,Misuses, Equipment
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000062 Accidents, Occupational Unforeseen occurrences, especially injuries in the course of work-related activities. Accidents, Industrial,Industrial Accidents,Occupational Accidents,Accident, Industrial,Accident, Occupational,Industrial Accident,Occupational Accident

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