65,000
An estimated 65,000 people died due to technological events between 2009-2018.
As the production and use of chemicals continues to increase worldwide, the health sector must expand its traditional roles and responsibilities to be able to address the public health and medical issues associated with the use of chemicals and their health effects.1 1WHO: Chemical incidents
Beyond extreme weather, the climate can impact exposure to chemicals in several ways: for example the rise of surface water temperature can accelerate growth of toxin-producing harmful algal blooms; ocean warming facilitates the methylation of mercury; and higher temperatures, greater precipitation and drought have various impacts on the production of mycotoxins.
An estimated 65,000 people died due to technological events between 2009-2018.
In 2017, lead exposure accounted for 1.06 million deaths and 24.4 million years of healthy life lost (disability-adjusted life years) worldwide due to long-term effects on health. The highest burden was in low- and middle-income countries.2 2The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME)
A chemical incident is the uncontrolled release of a toxic substance, potentially resulting in harm to public health and the environment. Chemical incidents can occur as a result of natural events, or as a result of accidental or intentional events. These incidents can be sudden and acute or have a slow onset when there is a ‘silent’ release of a chemical. They can also range from small releases to full-scale major emergencies. The term “chemical incident” can refer to anthropogenic or technological events, including:
Chemical hazards exist around the world. Risk may be heightened in areas with factories, conflict, and extreme weather.
Depending on the chemical exposure, symptoms may present differently, and include physical and psychological impacts.3 3WHO: Chemical incidents
Adverse health outcomes from toxic chemical exposure may be:
The time elapsing between exposure and the onset of symptoms can vary. Some effects, for example eye and respiratory irritation or central nervous system depression, can occur rapidly, within minutes or hours of exposure. Other effects, for example congenital malformations or cancers, may take months or years to appear.
Mercury is considered by WHO as one of the top ten chemicals or groups of chemicals of major public health concern.
A significant example of mercury exposure affecting public health occurred in Minamata, Japan, between 1932 and 1968, where a factory producing acetic acid discharged waste liquid into Minamata Bay. The discharge included high concentrations of methylmercury. The bay was rich in fish and shellfish, and provided the main livelihood for local residents and fishermen from other areas.
For many years, no one realized that the fish were contaminated with mercury, and that it was causing a strange disease in the local community and in other districts. At least 50,000 people were affected to some extent, and more than 2,000 cases of Minamata disease were certified. Minamata disease peaked in the 1950s, with severe cases suffering brain damage, paralysis, incoherent speech and delirium.4 4WHO: Mercury and health fact sheet
Chemical injuries and illnesses may occur from contact with a chemical hazard, ingestion through food or water, or breathing contaminated air. Once on or in the body, chemicals can have a range of impacts on the body.
For example, lead is a cumulative toxicant that affects multiple body systems and is particularly harmful to young children. It is distributed to the brain, liver, kidney and bones, and is stored in the teeth and bones, where it accumulates over time. There is no level of exposure to lead that is known to be without harmful effects.
Anyone can be vulnerable to chemical hazards, though some people may be impacted more severely than others.
Pregnant women, babies, and children could be at particular risk where drinking water is contaminated with pharmaceuticals.5 5Climate Change and Chemical Contaminants. Golam Kibria. 2014
Climate change may increase human exposure to chemicals in several ways. More frequent and intense storms, flooding, fires and soil erosion can result in chemicals (including stored chemicals, pharmaceuticals, dioxins, pesticides and herbicides) being released into the air, water and food systems.6 6TITLE
The rise of surface water temperature due to climate change could accelerate growth of toxin-producing harmful algal blooms. These toxins accumulate in filter feeding fish and shellfish and can be transferred to humans when contaminated seafood is eaten. Ocean warming also facilitates the methylation of mercury, and the uptake of methyl mercury in fish and mammals has been found to increase by 3–5% for each 1 C rise in water temperature.7 7Climate Change and Chemical Contaminants. Golam Kibria. 2014
Higher temperatures, greater precipitation and drought also have various impacts on the production of mycotoxins – naturally occurring toxins produced by certain moulds (fungi) and can be found in food – and may enhance mycotoxin contamination of cereal grains.8 8WHO: Mycotoxins Fact Sheet Mycotoxins can cause a variety of adverse health effects and pose a serious health threat to both humans and livestock.
Meteorological Services
Following the release of hazardous chemicals into the environment, weather and hydrological patterns can influence the size and direction of the affected area. National meteorological and hydrological services have an important contribution to make in the response to all cross-border environmental emergencies because of their 24/7 monitoring and operational activities, and their links to regional and global information systems and emergency services. In addition, some national meteorological services are designated to provide real-time technical capacity to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) as it provides assistance to affected areas and collaborates with other international organizations.
National Planning
Countries are expected to manage and carry out emergency management to ensure public safety and mitigate impacts. The public health sector must be prepared to provide care to affected people.
The World Health Organization (WHO), through its Collaborating Centres, assists countries to strengthen their national capacities through technical guidance and tools, information dissemination, training, exercises, and support to research and development.
International Collaboration
WHO works with other international organizations to provide policy advice and technical support for national health authorities on preparedness, response, recovery and long-term follow-up for populations affected by chemical emergencies.
On Sunday, 11 December 2005, a little after 6 a.m., there was a major explosion at the Buncefield Oil Depot in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, resulting in the largest peacetime fire in Europe to date. The fire burned for four days before it was extinguished. Several UK government departments and agencies asked the Met Office to provide guidance on the smoke plume — including Defra, the Cabinet Office, various emergency services and the Health Protection Agency. Information on the transport and dispersion of the plume provided by the Met Office assisted with decisions on potential evacuation areas and safe approaches for fire crews and played a vital part in getting people to safe locations.
There are several ways to prevent adverse health effects from mercury, including promoting clean energy, stopping the use of mercury in gold mining, eliminating the mining of mercury and phasing out non-essential mercury-containing products:9 9WHO: Mercury and health fact sheet
Promote the use of clean energy sources that do not burn coal.
Burning coal for power and heat is a major source of mercury. Coal contains mercury and other hazardous air pollutants that are emitted when the coal is burned in coal-fired power plants, industrial boilers and household stoves.
Eliminate mercury mining, and use of mercury in gold extraction and other industrial processes.
Mercury is an element that cannot be destroyed; therefore, mercury already in use can be recycled for other essential uses, with no further need for mercury mining. Mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining is particularly hazardous, and health effects on vulnerable populations are significant. Non-mercury (non-cyanide) gold-extraction techniques need to be promoted and implemented, and where mercury is still used safer work practices need to be employed to prevent exposure.
Phase out use of non-essential mercury-containing products and implement safe handling, use and disposal of remaining mercury-containing products.
Mercury is contained in many products, including:
A range of actions are being taken to reduce mercury levels in products, or to phase out mercury-containing products. In health care, mercury-containing thermometers and sphygmomanometers are being replaced by alternative devices.
Dental amalgam is used in almost all countries. A 2009 WHO expert consultation concluded that a global near-term ban on amalgam would be problematic for public health and the dental health sector, but a phase down should be pursued by promoting disease prevention and alternatives to amalgam; research and development of cost-effective alternatives; education of dental professionals and the raising of public awareness.
Inorganic mercury is added to some skin-lightening products in significant amounts. Many countries have banned mercury-containing skin-lightening products because they are hazardous to human health.
Mercury use in vaccines and pharmaceuticals
Mercury, such as thiomersal (ethylmercury), is used in very small amounts as a preservative in some vaccines and pharmaceuticals. Compared to methylmercury, ethylmercury is very different. Ethylmercury is broken down by the body quickly and does not accumulate. WHO has closely monitored scientific evidence relating to the use of thiomersal as a vaccine preservative for more than 10 years, and has consistently reached the same conclusion: there is no evidence that the amount of thiomersal used in vaccines poses a health risk.
Political agreement
The continued release of mercury into the environment from human activity, the presence of mercury in the food chain, and the demonstrated adverse effects on humans are of such concern that in 2013 governments agreed to the Minamata Convention on Mercury. The Convention obliges government Parties to take a range of actions, including to address mercury emissions to air and to phase-out certain mercury-containing products.
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