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Danger originating from technological
or industrial accidents, dangerous procedures, infrastructure
failures or certain human activities, which may cause the
loss of life or injury, property damage, social and economic
disruption or environmental degradation.
Technological disasters are non-natural disastrous occurrences
that include:
Accident release
Occurring during the production, transportation
or handling of hazardous chemical substances
Explosions
Disasters will only be classified as explosions
when the explosions is the actual disaster. If the explosion
is the cause of another disaster, the event will be classified
as the resulting disaster.
Chemical explosion
Violent destruction caused by explosion of combustible
material, nearly always of chemical origin.
Nuclear explosion/Radiation
Accidental release of radiation occurring in
civil facilities, exceeding the internationally established
safety levels.
Mine explosion
Accidents which occur when natural gas or coal dust reacts
with the air.
Pollution
Degradation of one or more aspects
in the environment by noxious industrial, chemical or
biological wastes, from debris or man-made products and
from mismanagement of natural and environmental resources.
Acid rain
A washout of an excessive concentration of acidic
compounds in the atmosphere, resulting from chemical pollutants
such as sulphur and nitrogen compounds. When deposited
these increase the acidity of the soil and water causing
agricultural and ecological damage.
Chemical pollution
A sudden pollution
of water or air near industrial areas, leading to internal
body disorders with permanent damage of the skin
Atmosphere pollution
Contamination of the atmosphere by large quantities of
gases, solids and radiation produced by the burning of
natural and artificial fuels, chemicals and other industrial
processes and nuclear explosions.
The Federation has more of
an advocacy/information sharing role and does not involve
itself with the technical aspects, e.g. cleaning up, irradiation
sickness or (advanced) treatment of people who have been exposed.
However, the Federation offers
care to people that are displaced or flee from the disasters,
providing shelter, foods, basic
health, water
and sanitation. Psychological
support is also often vital. For more than twenty years
on, the Federation is still running a programme to assist
victims of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor explosion of 1986,
providing medical assistance and check-ups, and psycho-social
support.
Equally, in situations of
chemical and biological warfare, the Federation provides basic
information about symptoms and effects of agents, antidotes
and protection. Again, National
Societies and the Federation take care of people displaced
or fleeing from chemical or biological attacks, providing
shelter, food, basic medical care, water and sanitation.
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Disaster management
