The UK Recovery Handbook for Chemical Incidents Dr Stacey Wyke-Sanders

Centre for Radiation, Chemicals and Environmental Hazards International Research and Development Group 8 th 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

History

UK Recovery handbook (Rad) v1 2005 EURANOS generic handbooks (Rad) v1 2006/7 European stakeholder networks e.g. FARMING

History

EURANOS generic handbooks (Rad) v1 ‘Demonstration ’ UK Recovery handbook (Rad) v3 EURANOS generic handbooks (Rad) v2 2009 Handbook Users Group

The UK Recovery Handbook for Chemical Incidents

Handbook to aid decisions in the

Handbook to aid decisions in the recovery

recovery phase after a chemical

phase after a chemical incident

incident

Based on the methodology of the UK Handbook for Radiation Incidents Handbook for Radiation Incidents Incorporate lessons from responses to incidents incidents Intended for use by Recovery Coordination Groups and others who need it to protect public from long term risks public from long term risks

Aim: reduce exposure and return to ‘normality’

Chemical Recovery Handbook Project team

Handbook to aid decisions in the

Dr Stacey Wyke-Sanders

recovery phase after a chemical

Based on the methodology of the UK Handbook for Radiation Incidents Miss Aya Osman Incorporate lessons from responses to Prof Raquel Duarte-Davidson incidents Mrs Shelly Mobbs 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’

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.

The four stages of an incident

Initial Response Hearings Trials Recovery Phase Inquest Restoration of normality Public Inquiry Time

Why develop a Recovery Handbook?

• Chemical incidents occur • Clean up of the environment is not straightforward • How clean is clean?

• No comprehensive, evidence based guidance • Complexity of chemical ‘mixtures’

Overview of UK Recovery

Chemical release Response phase actions Characterisation sampling and analysis

No

Preliminary clearance goals Site specific risk assessment: Clearance goals Decontamination strategy (UKRHCI) Decontamination (GDS) Clearance sampling

Site specific

clearance goal met?

Yes Reoccupy

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 approach o 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 remediation/ removal options; Example protection options

• Product recall; Precautionary dietary advice • Prohibit public access; Impose restrictions on transport; contaminated material; Storage, covering and gentle Temporary relocation • Isolate and contain drinking water supply; Restrict water use (DND/ DNU notices) 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

e.g. Outdoor surface removal & replacement

- Sulphur Mustard Case Study April 26, 2020

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 Response phase actions Characterisation sampling and analysis

No

Preliminary clearance goals Site specific risk assessment: Clearance goals Decontamination strategy (UKRHCI) Decontamination (GDS) Clearance sampling

Site specific

clearance goal met?

Yes Reoccupy

Developing a recovery strategy

• 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 incident Determine physicochemical properties of contaminated area

Step 2:

Consult flow chart decision tree’s for specific inhabited areas Identify potentially applicable recovery options Consult 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

24 th 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 .

Step 1:

Obtain information regarding the incident Determine physicochemical properties of contaminated area Areas contaminated: • Recreational area (sand-dunes) • Not densely populated • Access has been restricted Physiochemical and toxicological properties • Expert advice required

Step 2:

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

Has the area surrounding the incident been contaminated?

Yes Is there potential for contamination of water or the food chain? No

Step 2:

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

Is there a critical facility in the contaminated area that needs to be manned?

No Is the contaminated area used for recreation?

Yes

Step 2:

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

Are people occupying the contaminated area? (e.g. sheltering?) No Does the chemical have a short persistency?

No

Step 2:

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

Is there evidence of visual hotspots of chemical contamination? Yes

Step 2:

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

Is there a risk of adverse health effects to the population in the area? No Does the chemical have a short persistency?

No

Step 2:

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

Is there a risk of adverse health effects to the population in the area? Yes

Step 3:

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

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

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/

Handbook resources

Useful links and bookmarks; HPA http://www.hpa.org.uk/Publications/RemediationAndEnviron mentalDecontamination/ UK Recovery Handbook for Chemical Incidents; http://www.hpa.org.uk/Publications/RemediationAndEnviron mentalDecontamination/1205UKrecoveryhandbookforchemin cidents/ UK Recovery Handbook for Radiation Incidents; http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPA web_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

What next?

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

• 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/ http://www.hpa.org.uk/Publications/RemediationAndEnviro nmentalDecontamination/ Contact us directly by email: [email protected]

Any Questions?

Dr Stacey Wyke-Sanders International Research and Development Group

E:

Email: [email protected]

Email: [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/CompendiumOfChe micalHazards/

Compendium of Chemical Hazards

Land Contamination Publications

http://www.hpa.org.uk/Publications/ChemicalsPoisons/LandContaminati on/

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/ChemicalRiskAssessme nt/1158313435104/

Factsheets for the Public

• Carbon Monoxide • Mercury • Lead Incidents • Chemicals in toys • Petroleum products incidents • Odour http://www.hpa.org.uk/HPA/ProductsServices/ChemicalsPoisons/ChemicalRiskAssess ment/1158313435037/

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/ChemicalHazardsandPoiso nsReports/ • 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/110728Landfill norisk/ • Intensive Farming http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1194947378905 • Health Impacts of emissions to air from municipal waste incinerators http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1266228112244