Protective actions and CSEPP: Can we shelter in place?
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
The public has limited options for protection in an accident involving extremely hazardous chemicals. As previous researchers have suggested, in place sheltering and evacuation are potential options for population protection from a toxic vapor plume. In addition, more attention is being given to several forms of respiratory protection. At least two US companies are marketing respirator devices designed for the general public. Of course European companies have marketed such devices for the past decade. Moreover, the use of gas masks by Israeli citizens during the Gulf War drew media attention to respiratory protection. This paper reports the results of an investigation into the effectiveness of alternative protective actions for chemical weapons accidents. This analysis was done in support of the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP). It is the thesis in this paper that the choice among protective action is a much more complex decision than has been characterized in previous research. Moreover it is highly situation specific and that it is potentially problematic to treat it as a simple decision problem. The author hypothesizes that it is problematic because a small change in one of the parameters that determines protective action effectiveness may lead to a different decision outcome. Furthermore the list of parameters that influence effectiveness goes well beyond those considered in previous research. This thesis is illustrated by a comparative analysis of evacuation, and in place shelter options. The results show that sheltering is only preferable under very limited conditions, which will be difficult to predict at the time of the emergency.
- OSTI ID:
- 282334
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9505224-; ISBN 1-56555-079-X; TRN: IM9638%%132
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: International Emergency Management and Engineering Society, Nice (France), 9-12 May 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of The international emergency and engineering conference 1995: Proceedings. Globalization of emergency management and engineering: National and international issues concerning research and applications; Sullivan, J.D. [ed.] [Optimal Systems, Inc., Dallas, TX (United States)]; Wybo, J.L. [ed.] [Ecole des Mines de Paris (France)]; Buisson, L. [ed.] [CEMAGREF, Saint-Martin d`Heres (France). Div. Nivologie]; PB: 600 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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