The UK Recovery Handbook for Chemical Incidents Dr Stacey Wyke-Sanders Centre for Radiation,...

The UK Recovery Handbook for Chemical Incidents

Dr Stacey Wyke-Sanders

Centre for Radiation, Chemicals and Environmental HazardsInternational Research and Development Group

8th November 2012

Introduction

•Development of the Handbook

•Worked example

•HPA Resources

The Health Protection Agency provides authoritative scientific and medical advice to the NHS and other bodies about the known health effects of chemicals, poisons and other environmental hazards.

Protecting people Preventing harm Preparing for threats

European stakeholder networks e.g. FARMING

UK Recovery handbook (Rad) v1 EURANOS generic handbooks (Rad) v1

History

2005

2006/7

EURANOS generic handbooks (Rad) v1

History

‘Demonstration’

Handbook Users Group

2009

UK Recovery handbook (Rad) v3

EURANOS generic handbooks (Rad) v2

The UK Recovery Handbookfor Chemical Incidents

Handbook to aid decisions in the recovery phase after a chemical incident

Based on the methodology of the UK Handbook for Radiation Incidents

Incorporate lessons from responses to incidents

Intended for use by Recovery Coordination Groups and others who need it to protect public from long term risks

Aim: reduce exposure and return to ‘normality’






Chemical Recovery HandbookProject team






Dr Stacey Wyke-Sanders

Mr Nicholas Brooke

Mr Alec Dobney

Miss Aya Osman

Prof Raquel Duarte-Davidson

Mrs Shelly Mobbs

Dr Anne Nisbet

EHE Scientists

Prof David Baker

Prof Virginia Murray

Definition of recovery

‘ the process of rebuilding, restoring and rehabilitating the community following an emergency’

HM Government (2005) Emergency response and recovery: Non- statutory guidance accompanying the Civil Contingencies Act 2004. Version 2.

HearingsHearings

TrialsTrials

InquestInquest

Public Public InquiryInquiry

TimeTime

InitialInitial ResponseResponse

RecoveryRecovery PhasePhase

RestorationRestoration of normalityof normality

Resp

on

se

Resp

on

se

The four stages of an incident

• Chemical incidents occur

• Clean up of the environment is not straightforward

• How clean is clean?

• No comprehensive, evidence based guidance

• Complexity of chemical ‘mixtures’

Why develop a Recovery Handbook?

Overview of UK Recovery

Chemical release

Preliminary clearance goals

Characterisation sampling and analysis

Site specific risk assessment: Clearance goals

Decontamination strategy (UKRHCI)

Decontamination (GDS)

Clearance sampling

Site specific clearance goal met?

Response phase actions

No YesReoccupy

Development of the UKRHCI

• Project duration 2009 – 2012

• 9 Stakeholder workshops

• Feedback from stakeholders has been key to the development of the Handbook

o Generic physiochemical properties approacho 6-step decision-aiding-framework

• UKRHCI recommends 85 recovery options based on an evaluation of the evidence base and lessons learned from chemical incidents

Scope of UKRHCI

• Focus on clean up and restoration.

• Does not address all aspects of the recovery phase

• Risk assessment protocols• Sampling or monitoring strategies

• Not a substitute for specialist advice but will aid decision makers in the development of a recovery strategy

Structure of the UKRHCI

What is a “recovery option”?

Definition: “An action intended to reduce of avert the exposure of people to chemical contamination”

Example protection options •Product recall; Precautionary dietary advice•Prohibit public access; Impose restrictions on transport; Temporary relocation •Isolate and contain drinking water supply; Restrict water use (DND/ DNU notices)

Example remediation/ removal options;•Removal/ relocation of topsoil; Ploughing methods •Pressure hosing; Dismantle and disposal of contaminated material; Storage, covering and gentle cleaning •Water treatment at the point of use [tap]; Flush distribution system

Developing the UKRHCI

• Building the evidence base

• Literature search

• Retrospective study

• Recovery options database

• Development of physicochemical approach

• Decontamination of different environments (including surface types)

• 6-step decision framework for constructing a recovery strategy

Things to consider…….

• Spatial and temporal factors

• Effectiveness

• Technical feasibility and capacity

• Economic cost

• Legal implications/ obligations

• Waste disposal

• Environmental issues

• Chemical impact

• Societal and ethical aspects

• Information and communication issues

Multidimensional and complex issues at stake requiring a stakeholder participative process Multidimensional and complex issues at stake requiring a stakeholder participative process

e.g. Outdoor surface removal & replacement

April 19, 2023

Introduction to the 6-step Decision Process

Developing a recovery strategy

- Sulphur Mustard Case Study

Outline

• Developing a recovery strategy

• Factors influencing implementation of options

• 6 step decision framework

• Worked example of developing a recovery strategy for a contaminated inhabited area

Overview of UK Recovery

Chemical release

Preliminary clearance goals

Characterisation sampling and analysis

Site specific risk assessment: Clearance goals

Decontamination strategy (UKRHCI)

Decontamination (GDS)

Clearance sampling

Site specific clearance goal met?

Response phase actions

No YesReoccupy

Developing a recoverystrategy

Before a recovery strategy can be developed information is required on:

• Contaminant(s)

• Types of surfaces contaminated

• Level of hazard or risk

This allows prioritisation of areas for recovery and cleanup.

The recovery handbook can then help users to develop the recovery strategy

The 6-step decision framework

Step 1: Obtain information regarding the incidentDetermine physicochemical properties of contaminated area

Step 2: Consult flow chart decision tree’s for specific inhabited areas Identify potentially applicable recovery optionsConsult Food/ Water sections of Handbook (if applicable)

Step 3: Determine effectiveness of recovery options A: Eliminate options based on physicochemical properties B: Eliminate options based on surface material

Step 4: Review key considerations and constraints Eliminate further options according to other considerations (public health, waste, social, technical, cost and time)

Step 5: Consult recovery option sheets Eliminate further options following a detailed analysis of

options on a site and incident-specific basis.

Step 6: Compare remaining recovery options Based on steps 1-5, select and combine options

Constructing a recovery strategy

24th Sept 2009 a member of the public reported to police the discovery of a piece of military ordinance in sand dunes at a beach in North Gower, Swansea.

• Shell was disabled by Army Explosive Ordinance Disposal experts (same day).

• 3 days later, PHW notified that 2 members of the

disposal team were in hospital with severely blistered skin.

Incident overview

• MOD confirmed the shell had contained sulphur mustard, and that a small amount may have been released during the routine disposal of the ordinance device.

• Due to the delay in symptoms being reported (3 days) a multi-agency Incident Response Team was convened.

Areas contaminated:

• Recreational area (sand-dunes)

• Not densely populated

• Access has been restricted

Physiochemical and toxicological properties

• Expert advice required

Step 1: Obtain information regarding the incidentDetermine physicochemical properties of contaminated area


Has the area surrounding the

incident been contaminated?

Has the area surrounding the

incident been contaminated?

Yes

Is there potential for contamination of water or the food

chain?

Is there potential for contamination of water or the food

chain?

No


Is there a critical facility in the

contaminated area that needs to be

manned?

Is there a critical facility in the

contaminated area that needs to be

manned?

No

Is the contaminated area used for recreation?

Is the contaminated area used for recreation?

Yes


Are people occupying the

contaminated area? (e.g. sheltering?)

Are people occupying the

contaminated area? (e.g. sheltering?)

No

Does the chemical have a

short persistency?


short persistency?

No


Is there evidence of visual hotspots of

chemical contamination?

Is there evidence of visual hotspots of

chemical contamination?

Yes


Is there a risk of adverse health effects to the

population in the area?



No


short persistency?


short persistency?

No






Yes

Step 3: Determine effectiveness of recovery options A: Eliminate options based on physicochemical properties B: Eliminate options based on surface material

Step 4: Review key considerations and constraints Eliminate further options according to other considerations (public health, waste, social, technical, cost and time)

Step 5: Consult recovery option sheets Eliminate further options following a detailed analysis of options

on a site and incident-specific basis.

Step 6: Compare remaining recovery options Based on steps 1-5, select and combine options

Protection options

Restrict public access

Remediation options

Soil and vegetation removal

Huw Brunt, David Russell, Nick Brooke. Sulphur Mustard Incident, Swansea.

CHaP report 2010; 17: 4-5. http://www.hpa.org.uk/webc/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1274091561553

http://www.hpa.org.uk/webc/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1274091561553

Summary

• UKRHCI is a user friendly guidance document, based on an evaluation of the evidence base for the remediation and recovery of the environment after a chemical incident

• Practical 6-step decision framework for constructing a recovery strategy

• UKRHCI is applicable to all chemicals due to the general physicochemical properties approach and consideration of different surface types

Handbook resources

E-learning module available at; http://www.hpa.org.uk/Publications/RemediationAndEnvironmentalDecontamination/

http://www.hpa.org.uk/Publications/RemediationAndEnvironmentalDecontamination/


Handbook resources

Useful links and bookmarks;

HPAhttp://www.hpa.org.uk/Publications/RemediationAndEnvironmentalDecontamination/

UK Recovery Handbook for Chemical Incidents; http://www.hpa.org.uk/Publications/RemediationAndEnvironmentalDecontamination/1205UKrecoveryhandbookforchemincidents/

UK Recovery Handbook for Radiation Incidents; http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1259152442006



http://www.hpa.org.uk/Publications/RemediationAndEnvironmentalDecontamination/1205UKrecoveryhandbookforchemincidents/



http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1259152442006

http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1259152442006

Handbook resources

Worked examples; • Contamination of Irish pork (Dioxins)• Contamination of beach (Sulphur Mustard)• Contamination of private drinking water supply (Lead)

Case studies; • Irish Dioxins Incident• Nicotine contamination of ground beef• Asbestos release in residential flats• Sulphur mustard incident (Swansea)• Long-term leakage of heating oil into soil leading to permeation of plastic water supply pipes• MSC Napoli• Volcanic eruptions

The chemical recovery handbook is a ‘living document’; as such the HPA is committed to:

• Maintain the Handbook

• Take forwards areas of research to improve and further develop guidance for the recovery and remediation of the environment following an incident

• Continue to build the evidence base and expand the recovery options database to include chemical, radiation and biological incidents

What next?

• Develop the UK Recovery Handbook for Biological Incidents (2012 - 2015)

• Develop training for end-users

• E-learning

• UKRHCI training sessions for HPA staff and in collaboration with other organisations

• e.g. pilot awareness programme with CIEH for LAs and Emergency Planners

Development on an online decision support system for chemical and radiation recovery handbooks

• Initial feasibility study (Inhabited areas)

Build on national and international partnerships developed as a result of the UKRHCI to improve guidance

For further information

Visit HPA website;

http://www.hpa.org.uk/


Contact us directly by email:

[email protected]

http://www.hpa.org.uk/



mailto:[email protected]

Any Questions?

T: 0844 225 4524E:

Dr Stacey Wyke-SandersInternational Research and Development Group

Email: [email protected]: [email protected]



Resources

Compendium of Chemical Hazards

•General Information

Provides background information on the compound, including its uses and 'frequently asked questions‘.

•Incident Management

Focuses on information that may be needed during chemical incidents, such as physicochemical properties, health effects and decontamination.

•Toxicological Overview

Provides more in-depth toxicology.

http://www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/ChemicalsAndPoisons/CompendiumOfChemicalHazards/



Compendium of Chemical Hazards

Land Contamination Publications

http://www.hpa.org.uk/Publications/ChemicalsPoisons/LandContamination/



Checklists for Chemical Incident Management

• Acute incidents, e.g. chemical spills

• Non domestic fires

• Water incidents

• Sheltering or evacuation decisions

• Land contamination

• Flooding incidents

http://www.hpa.org.uk/HPA/ProductsServices/ChemicalsPoisons/ChemicalRiskAssessment/1158313435104/



Factsheets for the Public

• Carbon Monoxide

• Mercury

• Lead Incidents

• Chemicals in toys

• Petroleum products incidents

• Odour


Internal Action Cards & Guidance

• Bioaerosols from composting sites http://hpanet/webc/HPAnetFile/HPAnet_C/1309970043516

• Carbon monoxide action card

http://hpanet/webc/HPAnetFile/HPAnet_C/1257260480033

• Elevated concentrations of nitrate and nitrite in drinking water

http://hpanet/webc/HPAnetFile/HPAnet_C/1249542993340

• Lead action card

http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1274092896741

• Asbestos Toolkit – Responding to fires involving asbestos http://hpanet/webc/HPAnetFile/HPAnet_C/1207639082232

CHaP Reports

http://www.hpa.org.uk/Publications/ChemicalsPoisons/ChemicalHazardsandPoisonsReports/

• Incident response – lessons learned & guidance

• Emergency planning and preparedness

• Training

HPA Chemical Research Reports

• HPA CHaPD 001: Review of Environmental Chemicals and Neurotoxicity: Focus on Neurological Diseases

• HPA CHaPD 002: Review of Chemical Toxicity to the Reproductive System, with Particular Reference to Developmental Toxicity

• HPA CHaPD 003: The Public Health Significance of Asbestos Exposures from Large Scale Fires

• HPA CHaPD 004: A Toxicological Review of the Products of Combustion

http://www.hpa.org.uk/Publications/ChemicalsPoisons/ChemicalResearchReports/

Position Documents

• Health Impacts of Operating Landfill Sites

http://www.hpa.org.uk/NewsCentre/NationalPressReleases/2011PressReleases/110728Landfillnorisk/

• Intensive Farming


• Health Impacts of emissions to air from municipal waste incinerators


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