Chemical Industry Disaster Risk Assessment During Complex Emergencies in Ukraine.

Abstract

Introduction:The war in Ukraine has not only led to complex emergencies and humanitarian crises but also other severe consequences, such as the chemical industry disaster. The chemical industry is one of the principal sectors of Ukraine’s economy, and it is estimated that Ukraine has a total volume of hazardous chemical accumulation of more than 5.1 billion tons. An attack on chemical industrial facilities will lead to catastrophic consequences. This thesis aims to study the disaster risk of chemical industrial facilities and its consequences on public health and the environment during complex emergencies in Ukraine.Method:Observational cross-sectional risk assessment method was utilized to assess hazard, vulnerability, and exposure of the chemical industry in Donetsk Oblast, Luhansk Oblast, Kherson Oblast, Zaporizka Oblast, and Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine. Data on chemical factories in Eastern Ukraine was collected on Google Maps and Google Earth in May 2022. Lastly, the semi-quantitative risk assessment method was utilized to describe the risk from the perspective of consequences for life and health, the environment, property, and speed of development.Results:Chemical industry disaster risks in Ukraine during complex emergencies in Donetsk Oblast, Luhansk Oblast, Kherson Oblast, Zaporizka Oblast, and Kharkiv Oblast are high in terms of likelihood and consequences to life and health, environment, property, and speed of development.Conclusion:This risk assessment enables potential chemical disaster risks in Ukraine during complex emergencies to be understood and communicated by the local community, the first responder, and till policy makers. Therefore, enable a whole-of-society approach involving risk management, disaster preparedness, and response. Further detailed risk assessment on the type of chemical and their hazards should be conducted once the situation permits.