Consequences of chemical accidents: analysis of the effects on health and the environment

Abstract

Toxicology plays a crucial role in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of poisoning, being essential in the care of patients through anti-toxic centers, such as the National Toxicology Center in Cuba. Increasing exposure to chemicals, facilitated by technological advances, poses serious risks to public health, evidenced by alarming mortality figures and the occurrence of chemical accidents that have affected thousands of people worldwide. Recent events, such as the accidents in Bhopal and Beirut, underscore the importance of effective strategies that promote awareness and preparedness for chemical emergencies. Although there are tools to optimize the response to these accidents, the lack of compliance with international regulations in many countries is worrying. Therefore, it is essential to implement a multi-sector management model that includes all relevant actors, thus improving the response capacity to these incidents in Cuba and the rest of the world.