Mass Casualty Decontamination for Chemical Incidents: Research Outcomes and Future Priorities

Samuel Collins, Thomas James, Holly Carter, Charles Symons, Felicity Southworth, Kerry Foxall, Tim Marczylo and Richard Amlôt
Additional contact information
Samuel Collins: Chemicals and Environmental Effects Department, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Didcot OX11 0RQ, UK
Thomas James: Chemicals and Environmental Effects Department, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Didcot OX11 0RQ, UK
Holly Carter: COVID-19 Behavioural Science and Insights Unit, Public Health England, Public Health England, London SE1 8UG, UK
Charles Symons: COVID-19 Behavioural Science and Insights Unit, Public Health England, Public Health England, London SE1 8UG, UK
Felicity Southworth: Behavioural Science, Emergency Response Department Science & Technology, Health Protection Directorate, Public Health England, Porton SP4 0JG, UK
Kerry Foxall: Toxicology Department, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Didcot OX11 0RQ, UK
Tim Marczylo: Toxicology Department, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Didcot OX11 0RQ, UK
Richard Amlôt: COVID-19 Behavioural Science and Insights Unit, Public Health England, Public Health England, London SE1 8UG, UK

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 6, 1-19

Abstract: Planning for major incidents involving the release of hazardous chemicals has been informed by a multi-disciplinary research agenda which has sought to inform all aspects of emergency response, but with a focus in recent years on mass casualty decontamination. In vitro and human volunteer studies have established the relative effectiveness of different decontamination protocols for a range of chemical agents. In parallel, a programme of research has focused on communicating with and managing large numbers of contaminated casualties at the scene of an incident. We present an accessible overview of the evidence underpinning current casualty decontamination strategies. We highlight where research outcomes can directly inform response planning, including the critical importance of beginning the decontamination process as soon as possible, the benefits of early removal of contaminated clothing, the evidence under-pinning dry and wet decontamination and how effective communication is essential to any decontamination response. We identify a range of priority areas for future research including establishing the significance of the ‘wash-in’ effect and developing effective strategies for the decontamination of hair. We also highlight several areas of future methodological development, such as the need for novel chemical simulants. Whilst considerable progress has been made towards incorporating research outcomes into operational policy and practice, we outline how this developing evidence-base might be used to inform future iterations of mass casualty decontamination guidance.

Keywords: decontamination; chemical; mass casualty (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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