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Chemical Weapons
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, there are 123 chemical facilities throughout the nation that could each threaten more than 1 million people, in addition to hundreds more that could put a large number of populations at risk. Many facilities are located in near large cities, including Baltimore, Chicago, New York and Los Angeles. Should a serious chemical release occur, it will have significant impact on human health and environment. Moreover, tons of hazardous chemicals are transported through heavily populated areas everyday, increasing the chance of chemical terrorism.
Physicians for Social Responsibility advocates for the following policy positions to begin to address this risk:
- The Federal Government should immediately conduct a vulnerability assessment of chemical facilites in the United States
- In cases where possible, changing to chemical substances that are the safest available and reducing the amount of hazardous materials produced, stored, or transported should be the most reasonable answer for ultimate chemical security, i.e. to decapitate the possibility of weaponizing chemical facilities.
- In search of cost-effective solutions, the chemical industry needs to accept a certain level of government involvement in pursuing chemical security.
- Fund local emergency responders and FEMA to be able to adequetely coordinate an effective medical / public health response should a biological, chemical, radiological, nuclear or high-impact conventional weapon attack occur
These measures mark both a preventative and adaptive response to the risk of chemical terrorism in the United States.
Resources
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Nuclear Famine: A Billion People at Risk
The newly generated data on the decline in agricultural production that would follow a limited, regional nuclear war in South Asia support the concern that more than one billion people would be in danger of starvation. Epidemic disease and further conflict spawned by such a famine would put additional hundreds of millions at risk. Read more »
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Shock and Awe Hits Home
The military operational costs of the war in Iraq, now greater than $500 billion, have surpassed those for the entire Vietnam conflict. These escalating operational costs are alarming, yet the long-term public health costs will be much greater. Read more »
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Video: Nukes, Militarism and Public Health
Interview with PSR board member Dr. Andy Kanter. Read more »
In the Spotlight
September 20, 2013
Conference: Climate Smart Southwest
Build new and fortify existing cross-cultural, community, and governmental partnerships to educate and engage community action to address the anticipated public health impacts of climate change in the Southwest, September 20-21.