Hazardous Materials

The chemical accident in Bhopal, India led to increased interest in problems of hazardous materials release. Title III of the 1986 Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) set forth planning requirements for states and local communities with haz mat problems. In support of a requirement in Title III reviewing emergency systems for chemical accidents, we conducted research to assess community preparedness for chemical accidents. In particular we identified the technology, the procedures, and management practices used to alert and notify the public in conjunction with a chemical release. In addition, the research sought to identify the relationships between emergency system characteristics, management practices, and system effectiveness. We have investigated the response of people in chemical accidents, evacuation due to chemical accidents, and sheltering options for population protection.

• Sorensen, J. "Evacuations Due to Chemical Accidents," Journal of Hazardous Materials 14, 247-57. 1987.
  
  
• Rogers, G. and J. Sorensen. "Adoption of Emergency Planning Practices for Chemical Hazards in the United States", Journal of Hazardous Materials, Vol. 27, No 1, pp. 3-26. 1991.
  
  
• Rogers, G., Shumpert, B., and Sorensen, J. "Description of Interview Data Regarding Pittsburgh and Confluence Toxic Chemical Accidents," ORNL/TM-11599, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 1990.
  
  
• Rogers, G. and Sorensen, J. "Warning and Response in Two Hazardous Materials Transportation Accidents in the U.S.," in Journal of Hazardous Materials, Vol. 22, No. 1, pp. 57-74. 1989.
  
  
• Sorensen, J., Rogers, G., and Fisher, D. "Public Alert and Warning Systems for Chemical Emergencies," Proceedings of the AIChE Hazardous Material Spills Conference, 1988.
  
  
• Sorensen, J. and Rogers, G. "Community Preparedness for Chemical Emergencies: A Survey of U.S. Communities," Industrial Crisis Quarterly, Vol. 2 No.2, 89-108. 1989.
  
  
• Vogt, B. and Sorensen, J.  How Clean Is Safe: Lessons Learned From Decontamination Experiences. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, ORNL/TM-2002/178, October 2002.
  
  
• Sorensen J., Vogt, B., and B. Shumpert. “Planning Protective Action Decision Making: Evacuate or Shelter-In-Place,” Journal of Hazardous Materials, Vol. 109, No. 1, pp. 1-11. 2004.


• Sorensen, J. and Vogt, B. Description of Survey Data Regarding The Chemical Repackaging Plant Accident, West Helena, Arkansas, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, ORNL/TM-13722, 1999.