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Safe Management of Mass Fatalities following Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Incidents

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

David J. Baker ,
Kelly A. Jones ,
Shelly F. Mobbs ,
Ovnair Sepai ,
Dilys Morgan  and
Virginia S.G. Murray
David J. Baker*
Affiliation:
Health Protection Agency, London, UK
Kelly A. Jones
Affiliation:
Health Protection Agency, London, UK
Shelly F. Mobbs
Affiliation:
Health Protection Agency, London, UK
Ovnair Sepai
Affiliation:
Health Protection Agency, London, UK
Dilys Morgan
Affiliation:
Health Protection Agency, London, UK
Virginia S.G. Murray
Affiliation:
Health Protection Agency, London, UK
*
Consultant Medical ToxicologistChemical Hazards and Poisons Division (London)Health Protection Agency7th Floor, Holborn Gate 330, High HolbornLondon WC1V 7PPUnited Kingdom E-mail: david.baker@hpa.org.uk
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Abstract

Contaminated mass fatalities following the release of chemical, biological, or radiological agents pose a potential major health hazard. A United Kingdom government investigation has identified a number of areas of risk. This paper presents an outline of the findings of the study and describes specific pathways for the management of contaminated and non-contaminated fatalities. Factors determining the choice between cremation and burial are discussed. Effective decontamination remains a neglected area of study for both fatalities and casualties.

Keywords

Body Process Pathwayburialchemical, biological, radiologicalcontaminationcremationdecontaminationmanagementmass fatalities
Type
Original Research
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 24 , Issue 3 , June 2009 , pp. 180 - 188
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2009

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