Assessing and improving cross-border chemical incident preparedness and response across Europe.
Good practices in and for chemical incidents include practices specific to the different functions of exposure (e.g., within the monitoring function, the use of mobile monitoring equipment; within the modelling function, the use of rapid dispersion models with integrated mapping software) and generic practices to engage incident stakeholders to maximise exposure capabilities (e.g., sharing protocols and pre-prepared information and multi-agency and exercising). Such practices can optimise cross-border collaboration. A wide range of practices have been implemented across MSs during chemical incident response, particularly during incidents that have cross-border and trans-boundary impacts. This paper proposes a self-assessment methodology to enable MSs, or organisations within MSs, to examine exposure assessment capabilities and communication pathways between exposure assessors and public health assessors. Where gaps exist, this methodology provides links to good practices that could improve response, communication and collaboration across local, regional and national borders. A fragmented approach to preparedness for chemical incidents is a major obstacle to improving cross-border exposure assessment. There is no one existing body or structure responsible for all aspects of chemical incident preparedness and response in the European Union. Due to the range of different organisations and networks involved in chemical incident response, emergency preparedness needs to be drawn together. A number of recommendations are proposed, including the use of networks of experts which link public health assessors with experts in exposure assessment, in order to coordinate and improve chemical incident emergency preparedness. The EU's recent Decision on serious cross-border threats to health aims to facilitate MSs' compliance with the International Health Regulations, which require reporting and communication regarding significant chemical incidents. This provides a potential route to build on in order to improve chemical incident preparedness and response across Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]/nCopyright of Environment International is the property of Pergamon Press - An Imprint of Elsevier Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Web-based survey / follow-up telephone interviewsWorkshops
A description of:Good practices in exposure assessmentSelf-
European experts (e.g. responders, representatives of gov. orgs).
Collection of publicly-available information regarding each MS (e.g. treaties and agreements)Web-based survey [81 completed vs. 514 sent] from 26 Member StatesTwo international workshops were then held to solicit feedback from experts from a range of organisations
Propose a self- methodology to enable Member States (MSs), or organizations within MSs, to examine exposure capabilities and communication pathways between exposure assessors and public health assessors.
Collaborative approach to developed by Stewart-Evans et al. (2012) can be applied to all stages of incident .Cross-border issues require specific attention from responders and national governments.
Two international workshops to solicit feedback from experts, where incident scenarios were used to explore good practices, unmet needs, and success factors in exposure , with particular focus on cross-border incidents.
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