Whiplash associated disorder in children attending the emergency department.

Aims: To determine the incidence, severity, and clinical course of whiplash associated disorder (WAD) in children aged 4-16 years involved as passengers in car crashes.

Methods: Prospective surveillance of all paediatric attendances to three English urban emergency departments after car crashes over an eight month period. An initial structured telephone interview at day 2 after the car crash was performed.

Mercury contamination incident.

Background: The aim of this paper is to describe an incident where elemental mercury led to widespread contamination and the exposure of 225 individuals and confirmed toxicity in 19 individuals. The paper describes the incident and difficulties found in trying to assess the risk to individuals and to identify and decontaminate the residences involved.

Methods: All individuals exposed to elemental mercury in the incident were followed up for 15 months.