A Path Forward for Protecting Against Fugitive Chemicals Under Severe Weather: Community-Based Tools, Methods, and Practices for All Communities

Abstract

This presentation will focus on the tools and approaches that communities can use to conduct a fugitive chemical exposure assessment to build community resilience in the event of severe weather such as a major coastal storm. Lessons learned from the partnership of exposure assessment scientists and community leaders will be highlighted and the generalization of these approaches for other waterfront mixed-use communities.The approach presented in previous parts of this Session is being employed to address the threat of fugitive chemicals from chemically intense businesses (auto shops in this case study) closely integrated into the residential geography of Brooklyn. This situation is common to communities throughout the nation. Exposure and risk are assessed for nearby residents potentially exposed to fugitive chemicals remaining after storm cleanup. This empowers communities to undertake effective actions for risk avoidance, risk mitigation and/or response to existing health threats. Local industrial businesses are often the economic heart of the neighborhood, and can engage with this work to help develop “best management practices” for resilient planning and development.Other uses of the exposure and risk assessments, including training for responders and residents doing recovery work, creation of materials for frontline health professionals, and guidance for future environmental monitoring after a storm event, are also described. The presenter will focus on common resources that can be accessed across communities, as well as how to customize the implementation to individual needs and vulnerabilities of local communities. Finally, suggestions for future research and policy implementation will be proposed.