Follow-up assessment of health consequences after a chlorine release from a train derailment--Graniteville, SC, 2005.

Introduction: After a train derailment released chlorine gas in Graniteville, South Carolina, in 2005, a multiagency team performed an epidemiologic assessment of chlorine exposure and resulting health effects. Five months later, participants were resurveyed to determine their health status and needs and to assist in planning additional interventions in the community.

Methods: Questionnaires were mailed to 279 patients interviewed in the initial assessment; follow-up telephone calls were made to nonresponders.

Rapid assessment of exposure to chlorine released from a train derailment and resulting health impact.

Objectives: After a train derailment released approximately 60 tons of chlorine from a ruptured tanker car, a multiagency team performed a rapid assessment of the health impact to determine morbidity caused by the chlorine and evaluate the effect of this mass-casualty event on health-care facilities.

Methods: A case was defined as death or illness related to chlorine exposure. Investigators gathered information on exposure, treatment received, and outcome through patient questionnaires and medical record review.

Health information privacy and syndromic surveillance systems.

The development of syndromic surveillance systems to detect potential terrorist-related outbreaks has the potential to be a useful public health surveillance activity. However, the perception of how the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy Rule applies to the disclosure of certain public health information might affect the ability of state and local health departments to implement syndromic surveillance systems within their jurisdictions. To assess this effect, a multiple-question survey asked respondents to share their experiences regarding patient confidentiality and HIPAA Privacy Rule requirements when implementing syndromic surveillance systems.