Objectives: To present a dataset concerning acute releases of hazardous chemicals in Poland in 2005 in the context of the HSEES system implemented in Poland.
Material and methods: ATSDR, as the coordinator of the HSEES system, determined the kind and scope of data to be collected. In Poland, the fire department's reports were the main source of information on chemical emergencies.
Results: In 2005, as many as 245 incidents of chemical release and 23 of threatened release were recorded. Most of acute chemical incidents were associated with transportation and warehousing (106; 39.6%); in this truck transportation accounted for almost 50%, and the chemical and food sector for a little more than 50% of the total incidents. Human error and equipment failure were the primary causal factors, contributing respectively to 147 (54.9%) and 103 (38.4%) incidents. The chemicals involved most frequently were mercury (21.4%), propane-butane mixture (9.7%), ammonia (7.1%), hydrochloric acid, natural gas, sulfuric acid (5.2-5.6%) and nitric acid (5.2%). Out of 268 emergencies, 43 (16.0%) involved casualties: 191 in total, including 180 (94.2%) in the fixed facility incidents and 11 (5.8%) in the transportation-related incidents. The largest group of casualties were students (97) followed by employees (62). The most common injury related to chemical emergency was respiratory irritation (142; 74.3%).
Conclusions: The database on acute chemical emergencies in Poland, based on the HSEES system, makes it possible to generate a variety of statistical analyses that are helpful in planning effective prevention activities to diminish the harmful effects of such incidents.