Chemical and nuclear emergencies: interchanging lessons learned from planning and accident experience

Because the goal of emergency preparedness for both chemical and nuclear hazards is to reduce human exposure to hazardous materials, this paper examines the interchange of lessons learned from emergency planning and accident experience in both industries. While the concerns are slightly different, sufficient similarity is found for each to draw implications from the others experience. Principally the chemical industry can learn from the extensive planning and exercise experience associated with nuclear power plants, while the nuclear industry can chiefly learn from the chemical industry accident experience