In December 2001, an expert consultation was convened
by WHO through the International Programme on Chemical
Safety (IPCS — a joint activity of WHO, the International
Labour Organization and the United Nations Environment
Programme). The participants concluded that there was a
need to strengthen both national and global chemical incident
preparedness and response through the development of an
early warning system and capacity strengthening (6). In May
2002, the World Health Assembly agreed a resolution urging
Member States to strengthen systems for surveillance, emergency
preparedness and response for the release of chemical
and biological agents and radionuclear materials (7).