Medical Consequences of Chemical Weapons of Opportunity
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Presenter
Tom Martin, MD, MPH,
Associate Professor of Medicine; Director, UW Medical Toxicology Service
(UTOX), Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Washington
Description
Preparedness and emergency response planning often focuses on potential biological agents, such as smallpox or anthrax, or specialized chemical agents, such as sarin. Potential threats also exist from much more common agents that are found in all our cities and towns: chemicals routinely used by industry, small business, and community members. Dr. Tom Martin will provide an overview of the risks and potential impacts of these weapons of opportunity.
Learning Objectives
- List the chemical agents of opportunity and convenience likely to be utilized in a terrorist event
- Identify potential reach of exposure and major medical effects of weapons of opportunity and convenience
- Understand how to use EPA's risk management plan to assess your community's vulnerability due to chemicals stored and used in the community
Competencies
Council on Linkages, Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals
1. Analytical/Assessment Skills
1C7. Rectifies gaps in data sources
2. Policy Development/Program Planning Skills
2C10. Critiques mechanisms to evaluate programs for their effectiveness and quality
6. Public Health Sciences Skills
6B2. Distinguishes prominent events in the history of the public health profession
6B5. Conducts a comprehensive review of the scientific evidence related to a public health issue, concern, or intervention
8. Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills
8C2. Integrates systems thinking into public health practice
CDC, Public Health Preparedness and Response Core Competency Model
3. Plan for and Improve Practice
3.2 Contribute expertise to the development of emergency plans
3.3 Participate in improving the organization's capacities (including, but not limited to programs, plans, policies, laws, and workforce training)
CDC, Public Health Preparedness Capabilities
Capability 1: Community Preparedness
Function 1: Determine risks to the health of the jurisdiction
Capability 3: Emergency Operations Coordination
Function 2: Develop incident response strategy
Appropriate Audience
- All public health professionals, especially public health nurses, environmental health, epidemiologists, and emergency response planners
- Hospital emergency response planners and health care providers
Presenter
Thomas G. Martin is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Associate Medical Director of the Washington Poison Center. Dr. Martin is the Director of the UW Medical Toxicology Service (UTOX) and the UW Medical Toxicology Consult Service (UW-TOX). In addition to board certification in medical toxicology and occupational medicine, he earned an MPH in Occupational and Environmental Health. He is an attending physician in the Emergency Department at UW Medical Center and at the UW/Harborview Medical Center Occupational and Environmental Medicine Clinic providing consultation and care for patients with chemical, biological, or other exposures. He also serves as the coordinator of the ACMT (American College of Medical Toxicology)/ATSDR (Agency for Toxics Substances and Disease Registry) consulting network and oversees toxicology training of Emergency Medicine Residents from the joint Madigan Army Hospital - University of Washington ACGME-sanctioned training program.
Slides and Related Resources
Medical Consequences of Chemical Weapons of Opportunity - Thomas G. Martin [ 1.4 MB PDF Slides ]
Related Web Sites
- Chemical Emergencies web site, from the CDC
- Emergency Management home page, from the EPA
- TOXNET , a cluster of databases on toxicology, hazardous chemicals, and related areas, from the National Library of Medicine

