In his report to the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly on Pillar 3 of WHO's Triple Billion targets : One billion more people enjoying better health and well-being, the WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus drew attention to the under-recognized fact that 24% of all fatalities are linked to modifiable environmental factors including chemicals, waste and pollution. His report detailed some of the challenges that exist, especially in low- and middle-income countries. In particular, he pointed out that the low availability of critically needed poison centers in more than half of all countries worldwide and the paucity of health surveillance systems to monitor the impact of chemicals and waste on human health make it very difficult to provide effective prevention and response.
Of more than 100 000 chemicals in everyday commerce, the lack of information on their harmful properties leads to further challenges, including how to respond to releases of these chemicals to the environment, such as in the case of chemical accidents and leaks.
To strengthen the capacity of health professionals, emergency responders, and technical partners to manage chemical incidents safely and effectively, WHO has led the development of a new four-part online learning series on chemical hazards.
Part I: An Introduction to Chemical Hazards helps learners distinguish between everyday chemicals and those used as chemical warfare agents (CWAs). It also introduces toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) and provides real-world examples of accidental and intentional chemical releases. Course participants gain hands-on experience using a digital tool to identify and mitigate chemical threats.
Part II: Elements for Assessment builds on this foundation by teaching participants how to recognize and interpret environmental, clinical, and classification evidence to assess chemical releases. This course is ideal for those involved in early-stage incident investigation and response.
Part III: Immediate Actions at the Event Site focuses on operational safety and decision-making at the scene of a chemical incident. Learners explore how to arrive safely, position themselves appropriately, and adapt their actions based on the evolving situation.
Part IV: Response at the Hospital Site, currently in development, will address the management of chemical victims upon arrival at health-care facilities. This module will include standard operating procedures and best practices for triage, decontamination, and treatment.
These courses are available free of charge on the WHO Academy platform and are designed to be completed in sequence for maximum impact. They are part of WHO's broader efforts to enhance global preparedness and response to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats.
