| What are the main routes through which chemical exposure can occur? | three main routes of exposure: inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact | The medical treatment of victims of chemical emergencies varies depending on the type of exposure. There are three main routes of exposure: inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact. Inhalation exposure occurs when a person breathes in a hazardous substance, ingestion exposure occurs when a person swallows a hazardous substance, and skin contact exposure occurs when a person’s skin comes into contact with a hazardous substance. | 109 | definition | 1.000 | https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/uploads/resource/1769334825_CE-1.pdf | There are three main routes of exposure: inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact. | 86 | page=86,block=0 | 0.850 | valid |
| What is described as the trigger for identifying a potential outbreak related to unusual symptoms? | two cases of death or hospitalisation due to an unusual symptom | Alteration in consciousness, Breathing Difficulty, Bleeding, Paralysis and Others. The trigger here is two cases of death or hospitalisation due to an unusual symptom. Even if a cluster is confirmed as being an outbreak and it is apparent that it is non-infectious like exposure to chemical substances, it may be difficult to establish the cause. | 103 | definition | 1.000 | https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/uploads/resource/1769334825_CE-1.pdf | The trigger here is two cases of death or hospitalisation due to an unusual symptom. | 43 | page=43,block=0 | 0.850 | valid |
| How is a diagnosis made in syndromic surveillance? | on the basis of clinical pattern by paramedical personnel and members of the community | Chemical surveillance can adopt disease surveillance methodologies, such as indicator-based and event- based surveillance, each tailored to detect chemical incidents. This is in lines with the types of surveillance that currently is supported under IDSP through Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal. Currently following types of surveillance is undertaken through IDSP which can be applied to chemical incidents as well. Routine surveillance: a. Indicator based – weekly reporting of aggregate data collected based on standard case definitions through standardised formats. ο Syndromic – (done by Multipurpose Health Worker (MPHW)/ Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA)- Diagnosis made on the basis of clinical pattern by paramedical personnel and members of the community. | 705 | definition | 1.000 | https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/uploads/resource/1769334825_CE-1.pdf | ο Syndromic – (done by Multipurpose Health Worker (MPHW)/ Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA)- Diagnosis made on the basis of clinical pattern by paramedical personnel and members of the community. | 44 | page=44,block=7 |
| What approach does NDMA call for in chemical disaster preparedness and response? | a proactive, participatory, multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral approach at various levels | NDMA has the responsibility for laying down the policies, plans and guidelines for disaster management including chemical disasters for ensuring timely and effective response in the country.NDMA provides directions to ministries, departments and state authorities for the preparation of their detailed disaster management plans and calls for a proactive, participatory, multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral approach at various levels for chemical disaster preparedness and response. | 342 | definition | 1.000 | https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/uploads/resource/1769334825_CE-1.pdf | NDMA has the responsibility for laying down the policies, plans and guidelines for disaster management including chemical disasters for ensuring timely and effective response in the country.NDMA provides directions to ministries, departments and state authorities for the preparation of their detailed disaster management plans and calls for a proactive, participatory, multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral approach at various levels for chemical disaster preparedness and response. | 38 |
| What can corrosive materials do to body tissue or metal? | injure body tissue or cause corrosion of metal by direct chemical action. | Corrosives are materials that can injure body tissue or cause corrosion of metal by direct chemical action. Major classes of corrosive substances are: 1. Strong acids (e.g. Sulphuric, Nitric, Hydrochloric & Hydrofluoric acids) 2. Strong bases (e.g. Sodium hydroxide & Potassium hydroxide) 3. Dehydrating agents (Sulphuric acid, Sodium hydroxide, Phosphorus pentoxide, & Calcium oxide) 4. Oxidizing agents (e.g. Hydrogen peroxide, Chlorine, & Bromine) Flammable substances have the potential to catch fire readily & burn in air. A flammable liquid itself does not catch fire; it is the vapors produced by the liquid that burn. | 34 | definition | 1.000 | https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/uploads/resource/1769334825_CE-1.pdf | Corrosives are materials that can injure body tissue or cause corrosion of metal by direct chemical action. Major classes of corrosive substances are: 1. | 15 | page=15,block=7 | 0.700 | valid |
| What characteristic sets toxins apart as a type of chemical hazard? | their capacity to damage living things via biochemical interactions. | Reactives: Reactives include materials that are pyrophoric (“flammable solids”), are water reactive, form explosive peroxides, or may undergo such reactions as violent polymerization. » Toxins are a broad class of chemical hazards that are distinguished by their capacity to damage living things via biochemical interactions. These compounds are very dangerous because they have the potential to cause serious health impacts even at low exposure levels. They can be created synthetically or organically. Toxic substance is one that even in small amounts, can injure living tissue. » Examples – Hydrogen cyanide, Hydrogen peroxide, Hydrogen fluoride etc. Fig.2 : Four categories of common chemical hazards: corrosives, flammables, oxidizers/ reactive, and toxins. | 257 | definition | 1.000 | https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/uploads/resource/1769334825_CE-1.pdf | » Toxins are a broad class of chemical hazards that are distinguished by their capacity to damage living things via biochemical interactions. These compounds are very dangerous because they have the potential to cause serious health impacts even at low exposure levels. | 15 |
| What defines a suspected case in an outbreak? | person presenting with clinical features consistent with the outbreak and considered for laboratory or other diagnostic investigation | Case Definitions Case definitions may comprise various combinations of clinical, environmental, laboratory and epidemiological criteria: ο Clinical presentation of agreed signs, symptoms and toxidromes; ο Laboratory analyses (when available or appropriate) of biomarkers of exposure and of effect; ο Chronology: the period during which identified cases can be considered part of the outbreak; ο Geography: residence in a potentially exposed area; and ο Demographics: inclusion of those most likely to be affected, e.g. by age group, occupation or gender Cases may be classified as “suspected or possible”, “probable” or “confirmed” according to the certainty of the diagnosis: ο Suspected case: person presenting with clinical features consistent with the outbreak and considered for laboratory or other diagnostic investigation ο Probable case: person presenting with clinical features consistent with the outbreak and resident in the affected area during the defined period, or person presenting with the clinical features of concern and epidemiological links to an analytically confirmed case ο Confirmed case: person presenting with clinical features consistent with the outbreak, resident in the affected area during the defined period and with laboratory or diagnostic confirmation. |
| What does capacity building focus on when defined as a process? | the continuous process and action to support development of capacity | This will enable them to work together efficiently and effectively to mitigate the impact of a chemical emergency on the community. Capacity building is generally defined as either a product if the focus rests upon the term “capacity” (e.g., the requisite of resources, tools and competencies) or a process, if the focus is on the term “building” (e.g., the continuous process and action to support development of capacity). The concept of capacity building has been defined conceptually as “the extent of existing capacity in the country to implement an effective chemical accident prevention and preparedness programme. Agenda 21 of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development states that “the ability of a country to follow sustainable development is determined by the capacity of its people and its institutions as well as by its ecological and geographical conditions”. | 354 | definition | 1.000 | https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/uploads/resource/1769334825_CE-1.pdf | Capacity building is generally defined as either a product if the focus rests upon the term “capacity” (e.g., the requisite of resources, tools and competencies) or a process, if the focus is on the term “building” (e.g., the continuous process and action to support development of capacity). |
| What does capacity building focus on when defined as a product? | the requisite of resources, tools and competencies | This will enable them to work together efficiently and effectively to mitigate the impact of a chemical emergency on the community. Capacity building is generally defined as either a product if the focus rests upon the term “capacity” (e.g., the requisite of resources, tools and competencies) or a process, if the focus is on the term “building” (e.g., the continuous process and action to support development of capacity). The concept of capacity building has been defined conceptually as “the extent of existing capacity in the country to implement an effective chemical accident prevention and preparedness programme. Agenda 21 of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development states that “the ability of a country to follow sustainable development is determined by the capacity of its people and its institutions as well as by its ecological and geographical conditions”. | 242 | definition | 1.000 | https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/uploads/resource/1769334825_CE-1.pdf | Capacity building is generally defined as either a product if the focus rests upon the term “capacity” (e.g., the requisite of resources, tools and competencies) or a process, if the focus is on the term “building” (e.g., the continuous process and action to support development of capacity). |
| What does the clinical criterion for case definitions involve? | Clinical presentation of agreed signs, symptoms and toxidromes | Case Definitions Case definitions may comprise various combinations of clinical, environmental, laboratory and epidemiological criteria: ο Clinical presentation of agreed signs, symptoms and toxidromes; ο Laboratory analyses (when available or appropriate) of biomarkers of exposure and of effect; ο Chronology: the period during which identified cases can be considered part of the outbreak; ο Geography: residence in a potentially exposed area; and ο Demographics: inclusion of those most likely to be affected, e.g. by age group, occupation or gender | 139 | definition | 1.000 | https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/uploads/resource/1769334825_CE-1.pdf | Case Definitions Case definitions may comprise various combinations of clinical, environmental, laboratory and epidemiological criteria: ο Clinical presentation of agreed signs, symptoms and toxidromes; ο Laboratory analyses (when available or appropriate) of biomarkers of exposure and of effect; ο Chronology: the period during which identified cases can be considered part of the outbreak; ο Geography: residence in a potentially exposed area; and ο Demographics: inclusion of those most likely to be affected, e.g. |