NLM Highlights Hurricane Katrina Information

NLM® Highlights Hurricane Katrina Information
September 14, 2005 [posted]
http://sis.nlm.nih.gov/enviro/hurricane.html
The National Library of Medicine has compiled a new Hurricane Katrina Web page on toxic chemical and environmental health information resources for health workers and the interested public. Links are provided to information on chemicals that may be released as a result of the Katrina disaster and on environmental health concerns following the wind and flood damage.

The page includes a link to WISER, the Wireless Information System for Emergency Responders. First responders may download the WISER set of information on 400 toxic chemicals and hazardous materials to a Palm, Pocket PC, or laptop/desktop computer that uses Microsoft Windows®. WISER is designed to help identify unknown substances and gives ready access to basic emergency haz-mat information.

Links to TOXMAP identify and map locations of facilities that use or transport significant levels of toxic chemicals, and lists the chemicals for each facility. Maps are included for the Katrina-affected states as well as for New Orleans, Biloxi, and Gulfport.

In addition, MedlinePlus® contains various Health Topic pages with disaster-related information that may be useful in dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The following Health Topics are available:

* Coping with Disasters
* Disasters and Emergency Preparedness
* Drinking Water
* Food Contamination and poisoning
* Food Safety
* Diarrhea
* Molds

For additional assistance, submit questions to Customer Service at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/cgi/contact.pl#email or call 1-888-FIND-NLM (1-888-346-3656).

To contact Specialized Information Services for toxicology and environmental health information, please submit your questions to: tehip@teh.nlm.nih.gov.