Characterization of post-disaster environmental management for Hazardous Materials Incidents: Lessons learnt from the Tianjin warehouse explosion, China. (1st September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Hui; Duan, Huabo; Zuo, Jian; Song, MingWei; Zhang, Yukui; Yang, Bo; Niu, Yongning
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental management. Volume 199(2017)
• Page Start: 21
• Page End: 30
• Publication Date: 2017-09-01
• Subjects: Hazardous Materials Incidents -- Tianjin warehouse explosion -- Post-disaster environmental management systems; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; 363.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.05.021
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4797

Abstract

Abstract: Hazardous Materials Incidents (HMIs) have attracted a growing public concern worldwide. The health risks and environmental implications associated with HMIs are almost invariably severe, and underscore the urgency for sound management. Hazardous Materials Explosion incidents (HMEIs) belong to a category of extremely serious HMIs. Existing studies placed focuses predominately on the promptness and efficiency of emergency responses to HMIs and HMEIs. By contrast, post-disaster environmental management has been largely overlooked. Very few studies attempted to examine the post-disaster environmental management plan particularly its effectiveness and sufficiency. In the event of the Tianjin warehouse explosion (TWE), apart from the immediate emergency response, the post-disaster environmental management systems (P-EMSs) have been reported to be effective and sufficient in dealing with the environmental concerns. Therefore, this study aims to critically investigate the P-EMSs for the TWE, and consequently to propose a framework and procedures for P-EMSs in general for HMIs, particularly for HMEIs. These findings provide a useful reference to develop P-EMSs for HMIs in the future, not only in China but also other countries. Graphical abstract: Highlights: There is relatively little work on post-disaster environmental management for HMIs. A comparison of characterization for SHMIs between China and other countries is performed. Full survey on the P-EMSs for Tianjin Warehouse Explosion has been conducted. Complete database, Legislation and Regulation are prerequisite for establishing P-EMSs of HMIs in China.