Radiation Exposure Case - Windscale Fire UK-October 1957

7/25/2019 Radiation Exposure Case - Windscale Fire UK-October 1957

1/11

Cyanide Spill Threatens Health in Europe

River and Stream Pollution Case - The Baia

Mare cyanide spill 2000

BIOL 265: Principles of

Environmental Health

Supervised by: Orville Grey

June 21, 2016 NCU


2/11

Introduction

Background:- cyanide, copper & heavy metals escape on

30th January 2000 at Aurul dam in Baia

Mare, Romania- dam build in1998, owned by Romanian

government and an Australian company.

- suspected cause, poor dam design and

high weather condition (REC, 2000).


3/11

Introduction

Cont.

The consequences of the pollution:- damaged farmland

- damaged rivers and streams ecosystem

- killed fishes and other wildlife- poisoned drinking water and soil

- destroyed the livelihood of fisherman

(Mergel, 2011).


4/11

History of the Problem

Risk of cyanide

- toxic chemical that is produced naturally

- used in gold extraction

- recognized as a poison to humans and otherliving organisms

- exposure may damage the brain and heart

(CDPC, 2013).


5/11

Risk Analysis

Risk Assessment:- Identify hazards were concentrations of heavy

metals, lead, copper, zinc and inadequate plans and

responses in place for emergencies, insufficient

accident plans

- Exposure were heavy impact on all aquatic life in the

rivers and minimal immediate health risk to human,

longer term impact on human health andenvironmental health


6/11

Risk Analysis Cont.

- Dose-Response levels of cyanide was four timeshigher than usual

- Risk characterization large quantities of

hazardous materials used too close to humanpopulations and the river system


7/11

Risk Analysis Cont.

Risk Management:- Aurul was ordered to stop activities and close the breakage,authorities announced the prohibition of fishing and fish

trading.

- Relief efforts focused on removing the dead fish before they

could impact progressive links on the local food chains,

NGOs order temporary closure of the water intakes from

Rivers, dams, lakes and ponds

- Improvements should include surveys to plan and develop

new water resources and new monitoring systems for

groundwater and private wells by local authorities.


8/11

Risk Analysis Cont.

Risk Communication:- Joint venture of UNEP and OCHA international

experts.

- The team collect and review data then prepared

recommendations for future action and prevention.

- Mission lasted from 23 February 6 March 2000

- Team combined sampling, analysis, interviews with

local experts, discussions with national authorities,

affected populations and NGOs for further study.


9/11

Vulnerable Population

Populations:- Romanian

- Hungarian

- YugoslavianMost vulnerable groups:

- The village of Bozanta Mare

- biodiversity


10/11

Legislation in Jamaica

-The National Water Commission

-Water Resources Authority

(WRA)

-Ministry of Health


11/11

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Facts about Cyanide (2005),

retrieved from http://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/cyanide/basics/facts.asp

Mergel, M. (2011) Baia Mare Cyanide spill. Retrieved from

http://www.toxipedia.org/display/toxipedia/Baia+Mare+Cyanide+Spill

Rainforest Information Centre (2005). Cyanide Incidence, retrievedfromhttp://www.rainforestinfo.org.au/gold/spills.htm

Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (2000)

The Cyanide Spill at Baia Mare, Romania -Before, during and after,

retrieved fromhttp://archive.rec.org/REC/Publications/CyanideSpill/ENGCyanide.pdf
http://www.toxipedia.org/display/toxipedia/Baia+Mare+Cyanide+Spillhttp://archive.rec.org/REC/Publications/CyanideSpill/ENGCyanide.pdfhttp://archive.rec.org/REC/Publications/CyanideSpill/ENGCyanide.pdfhttp://www.toxipedia.org/display/toxipedia/Baia+Mare+Cyanide+Spill

Radiation Exposure Case - Windscale Fire UK-October 1957

Documents

Transcript of Radiation Exposure Case - Windscale Fire UK-October 1957