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

• Published in: Prehospital and disaster medicine Vol. 24; no. 3; pp. 180 - 188
• Main Authors: Baker, David J., Jones, Kelly A., Mobbs, Shelly F., Sepai, Ovnair, Morgan, Dilys, Murray, Virginia S.G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, USA Cambridge University Press 01-06-2009
• Subjects: Benchmarking; biological; Biological Warfare; Body Process Pathway; Burial; chemical; Chemical Warfare; Chemical Warfare Agents; contamination; Cremation; decontamination; Delivery of Health Care - organization & administration; Emergency Medical Services - organization & administration; Health technology assessment; Humans; management; Mass Casualty Incidents; mass fatalities; Nuclear Warfare; Original Research; radiological; Risk Assessment; Safety Management - methods; Safety Management - organization & administration; Terrorism; United Kingdom; Body Process Pathway; mass fatalities; cremation; decontamination; burial; management; chemical, biological, radiological; contamination
• ISSN: 1049-023X; 1945-1938
• DOI: 10.1017/S1049023X00006786

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.