1. Implications To Public Health Factors Associated with Injuries
Injuries Caused by Chemical Incidents
in North Carolina, 2010─2014
Introduction
National Toxic Substance Incidents Program (NTSIP)
Monitors toxic substance releases by gathering information from different resources
Only federal program tracking acute chemical incidents in communities
North Carolina has participated in NTSIP since 2010
NC NTSIP is used as a surveillance system to monitor state toxic releases
Focuses solely on the public health impacts of toxic substance releases
Criteria are established by ATSDR for surveillance eligibility (i.e. only acute releases, substance quantity released and any public health action taken)
Suze Etienne, MPH, CPH
Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch
Severity of Injuries
Severity
Counts %
Treated at Hospital (not admitted)
232
54%
Treated on Scene 78
18%
Treated at Hospital (admitted) 55
13%
Observed-no treatment 53
12%
Adverse health effects in 24 hours 9 2%
Seen by private physicians w/24 hours 5 1%
Age Category Severity
Category
Count %
Child (0-18) 53
12%
Adult (18+)
385
88%
Total
438
100%
Methods
Event Victim and Chemical data are used to investigate types of injuries, severity and factors associated with these incidents.
NTSIP defines a victim as anyone who experiences at least one documented adverse effect within 24 hours after an incident or who dies as a consequence of an incident. Seven injuries or less may be recorded for each victim.
Data Sources
North Carolina Emergency Management
National Response Center
U.S. Department of Transportation
Carolina’s Poison Center
Media
Chemical Incident Apex, NC October 20006
EQ Hazardous Waste Plant in Apex after explosion and fire destroyed the facility (Photo by WRAL)
Results
Type of Injuries
Number of Injuries %
Respiratory System Problems
175
24%
Headache
114 7%
Dizziness/CNS Symptoms
101
16%
Gastrointestinal Problems 99
13.5%
Heart Problems 53 2%
Trauma 48
Burns 44 6%
Eye Irritation 29
45%
Other 4%
Skin Irritation 18
14%
Shortness of Breath
Heat Stress 4
0.5%
Total
732
100%
Implications To Public Health
Identification of most commonly released chemicals and sources of incidents for planning purposes
Association between incidents and injuries
Opportunity to inform decision makers
Prevention of chemical incidents and reduction of injuries
Factors Associated with Injuries
Secondary
Equipment
Failure
Human
Error
No Secondary
Illegal Activities
Total %
Primary
Equipment Failure 5 22 27
26%
Human Error 4 2 65 71
70%
Other 1 3 4% 9 90
102
100% 9% 3%
88% 0%
Conclusions
Toxic substance releases are preventable
Preventive measures should be taken to educate employers of toxic industries
Employers should conduct regular maintenance and train their employees properly to avoid injuries