Development of a methodology for prioritising hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) carried at sea to inform public health emergency planning and preparedness

Objectives: Estimates indicate some 2,000 hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) are carried regularly by sea with bulk trade of 165 million tonnes per year worldwide (Purnell, 2009). Incidents involving HNS have occurred regularly with over 100 reported in EU waters. Incidents occurring in a port or coastal area can have potential and actual public health implications. A methodology has been developed for prioritisation of HNS, based upon potential public health risks. The work, undertaken for the Atlantic Region Pollution Response programme (ARCOPOL), aims to provide information for incident planning and preparedness. Methods: HNS were assessed using conventional methodology based upon acute toxicity, behaviour and reactivity. Tonnage carried at sea was used as a proxy for likelihood, although other factors such as shipping frequency and local navigation may also contribute. Risk scores were used to prioritise HNS. Results: Results identified the highest priority HNS as being volatile, gaseous and reactive with water. Process limitations were identified resulting in development of a software tool capable of combining chemical data from the study with user defined shipping data to produce area-specific prioritisations. Conclusion: This methodology will enable a risk- based prioritisation approach to be applied to public health emergency planning and preparedness for maritime shipping.