A CASE STUDY IN PUBLIC HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT AND COMMUNICATION DURING THE NEW CARISSA IN SITU BURNING

摘要

The cargo vessel New Carissa ran aground in February 1999 in Coos Bay, Oregon, only a few miles from nearby towns with a total population of 26,000. When the ship began leaking oil, in situ burning remained the only viable option to minimize a potentially major spill. Experts at the local, state, and federal levels cooperated in using modeling, previously done research, and monitoring, to conduct a public health risk assessment of the smoke plume on residents in the nearby communities, which were found to be very low. Risk communication was done to provide this information to the public and the media. Easily accessible information on in situ burning and improved communication between the Unified Command and local public health officials are recommended for similar future incidents.