CDC: Hydrazine exposure risks from returning satellite (!) (fwd)

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February 20, 2008

Potential Health Effects Associated with Hydrazine and Satellite Reentry

This is an official CDC Health Advisory

Distributed via Health Alert Network

February 20, 2008, 00:20 EST (12:20 AM EST)

CDCHAN-00269-08-02-20-ADV-N

Potential Health Effects Associated with Hydrazine and Satellite Reentry

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is collaborating

with federal partners to address potential health and safety threats

associated with the reentry of an uncontrolled U.S. government

satellite into the earth's atmosphere within the next few weeks.

Because the satellite's fuel contains the toxic chemical hydrazine, it

is possible that the reentry of the satellite could pose a public

health threat if pieces of it fall into populated areas. The risk of

health effects related to the satellite is considered to be low.

However, CDC is encouraging health officials and clinicians to review

information about the health effects related to hydrazine to prepare

in case their communities are affected by satellite debris.

Hydrazine is a clear, colorless liquid with an ammonia-like odor.

Hydrazine is highly reactive and easily catches fire. It can easily

evaporate to the air and can dissolve in water. In soil, hydrazine may

stick to particles. In each of these forms hydrazine breaks down

quickly into less harmful compounds.

People can be exposed to hydrazine by breathing contaminated air,

dermal contact, or ingestion. Breathing hydrazine may cause coughing

and irritation of the throat and lungs, convulsions, tremors, or

seizures. Dermal contact may cause redness, pain, and burns. Eating or

drinking small amounts of hydrazine may cause nausea, vomiting,

uncontrolled shaking, inflammation of the nerves, drowsiness, or coma.

Additional information about hydrazine can be found at

http://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/hydrazine/, including the following

topics:

Frequently asked questions about hydrazine

(http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts100.html)

Toxicologic & adverse health effect information about hydrazine

(http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp100.html)

NIOSH Pocket Safety guide to chemical hazards on hydrazine

(http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0329.html)

Chemical Emergencies Overview (http://emergency.cdc.gov/chemical/overview.asp)

Emergency preparedness (http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/)

Because we do not know yet where the satellite or satellite debris

will land or the scope of any health risks associated with the

satellite's reentry, CDC will be updating its website and providing

the public health work force, clinicians, and the general public with

more information as it becomes available.

You may also call CDC toll free at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) for

more information.

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Categories of Health Alert messages:

Health Alert conveys the highest level of importance; warrants

immediate action or attention.

Health Advisory provides important information for a specific incident

or situation; may not require immediate action.

Health Update provides updated information regarding an incident or

situation; unlikely to require immediate action.

##This Message was distributed to State and Local Health Officers,

Epidemiologists, State Laboratory Directors, PHEP Coordinators, HAN

Coordinators and Public Information Officers as well as Public Health

Associations and Clinician organizations##