1097-0274/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=e0f33b687598b5adbbbced84abe7a827fb4a7d56 "American Journal of Industrial Medicine")
This article is a U.S. Government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.
Article
Surveillance of hazardous materials events in 17 states, 1993–2001: A report from the Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance (HSEES) System†
Article first published online: 20 MAY 2004
DOI: 10.1002/ajim.20014
Published 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Additional Information
How to Cite
Horton, D. K., Berkowitz, Z. and Kaye, W. E. (2004), Surveillance of hazardous materials events in 17 states, 1993–2001: A report from the Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance (HSEES) System. Am. J. Ind. Med., 45: 539–548. doi: 10.1002/ajim.20014
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Publication History
- Issue published online: 20 MAY 2004
- Article first published online: 20 MAY 2004
- Manuscript Accepted: 25 FEB 2004
- Abstract
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- hazardous materials releases;
- industry categories;
- HazMat trends;
- prevention strategies
Abstract
Background
Thousands of acute hazardous materials (HazMat) releases occur annually throughout the United States. To prevent human exposure and resulting injuries, it is critical to understand the frequency with which these releases occur, the locations involved, the industries associated, and the specific substances being released.
Methods
HazMat events data from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry's Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance (HSEES) system were analyzed for frequency and locations of occurrence, major industry categories and sub-categories involved, and substances released. The data analyzed were collected from 17 participating state health departments for 1993 through 2001.
Results
During 1993 through 2001, 53,142 HazMat events occurred. Of the 17 states analyzed, Texas had the most releases, comprising 38.3% of all HSEES events. Of the 14 major US Census industry categories analyzed, the manufacturing category had the highest percentage of events (48.7%) followed by transportation, communication, and other public utilities (27.5%). Of the 10 states that participated during the entire analysis period, the numbers of events increased 64.3%. Twelve of 14 major industrial categories experienced increases in numbers of events over the analysis period, while public administration and active duty military events decreased. The substances released most frequently overall included ammonia, sulfur dioxide, and sulfuric acid, respectively.
Conclusions
The HSEES data appear to reflect an upward trend in the occurrence of hazardous HazMat events. While it is difficult to definitively conclude whether this trend is due to more events actually occurring or from other factors, reviewing historical HazMat data may help communities, government agencies, and industries prevent or better prepare for potential events in the future. Am. J. Ind. Med. 45:539–548, 2004. Published 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.