Chemical and Radiological Hazards Preparedness

Chemical and Radiological Hazards Preparedness in Fort Worth, Texas

Improvements

To reduce the impacts of chemical explosions or the exposure rate, one of the best strategies to follow is evaluating the actual danger exposed to the members of the community. Such an evaluation is a crucial step in the development of an effective response plan. A risk assessment ensures that the right tools are sought and the correct measures appropriately applied to reduce the chance of an explosion.

The approach should be based on several aspects, which are based on the expected source of chemical contamination. Before embarking on any form of response, a response station should be established to deal with all attacks or threats. The station should be equipped with the necessary workforce to ensure competence and reliability. One of the areas that should be improved is the surveillance for stealth attacks. Other less noticeable areas should also be checked and caution taken around all critical areas to ensure that there is ample surveillance of all the activities being carried out that can lead to the eruption of stealthy chemical attacks (Turnbull & Abhayaratne, 2002).

In addition, there is need to concentrate on the monitoring systems around the area by use of GIS surveys to ensure that the exposure data is integrated in the monitoring station. GIS survey information would be very helpful in determining whether any of the companies has breached the expected standards by releasing harmful gases (Ferguson, Tahseen, & Perera, 2003, p. 26). In addition, the information would help give a true picture of the environmental situation at hand with respect to a particular chemical attack.

The station should be equipped with professionals, who shoul...

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Ferguson, C.D., Tahseen, K., & Perera, J. (2003). Commercial Radioactive Sources: Surveying the Security Risks. Monterey, CA: Monterey Institute of International Studies.

Turnbull, W., & Abhayaratne, P. (2002). WMD Terrorism Chronology: Incidents Involving Sub- National Actors and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Materials. James Martin Center For Nonproliferation Studies. Retrieved from http://cns.miis.edu/reports/cbrn2k.htm

United States Department of Labor. (2005). OSHA/NIOSH Interim Guidance (April 2005): Chemical - Biological - Radiological - Nuclear (CBRN) Personal Protective Equipment Selection Matrix for Emergency Responders. Retrieved from http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/emergencypreparedness/cbrnmatrix/index.html

White House Press Release. (2002). President Signs Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Bill. Washington, D.C: White House.