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06-06-11 What role did Tennessee Poison Center play in the flood disaster?

Question of the Week
June 6, 2011
 
What role did Tennessee Poison Center play in the flood disaster?
Situation Report
25 May 2011  0900 hours
During the flood, Tennessee Poison Center (TPC) received calls from the Western part of Tennessee.  FEMA issued a Disaster Declaration for Federal Assistance to Dyer, Lake, Lauderdale, Shelby and Stewart Counties.  Select exposures were tracked from that area to identify problems early, and situation reports were released.
-           Specialists in Poison Information assisted with calls from area
-           Number of calls did not rise disproportionally compared to last year
-           Household cleaning substances increased on 14-15 May, compared to last year
-           Selected exposures tracked for first 22 days of May from affected counties above (and with 2010 comparison figures – 2011/2010):
 

 
1-3 May
4-5 May
6-7 May
8-9 May
10-11 May
12-13 May
14-15 May
16-22 May
Total
Snakebite
0/0
0/0
0/1
1/0
0/0
0/1
0/0
0/0
1/2
Spider bite
1/0
0/0
0/0
0/0
1/0
0/0
0/0
0/1
2/1
Chemicals
1/1
0/1
0/0
2/1
0/1
0/0
0/2
1/3
4/9
Cleaning substances (household)
4/2
1/3
1/1
3/4
5/4
2/4
7/0
9/11
32/29
Industrial cleaners
0/0
0/1
0/0
0/0
0/0
0/1
0/0
0/0
0/2
Food product/poisoning
0/1
1/0
1/0
0/1
1/0
1/2
0/0
1/1
5/5
Fumes/gases/vapors
0/0
0/0
0/0
0/1
0/0
0/0
0/0
2/0
2/1
Hydrocarbons
0/1
1/1
1/1
1/1
1/0
1/2
0/0
0/3
5/9
Pesticides
0/3
2/1
0/2
3/2
5/1
2/3
1/2
12/10
25/24
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
6/8
5/7
3/5
10/10
13/6
6/13
8/4
25/29
76/82

-           The Tennessee Poison Center is available 24/7 to assist the public, healthcare or governmental agencies during this disaster.
-           If any questions, please contact the Tennessee Poison Center.
 
This question prepared by:  John Benitez, MD, MPH    Medical Toxicologist