Toxic turmoil : psychological and societal consequences of ecological disasters / edited by Johan M. Havenaar, Julie G. Cwikel and Evelyn J. Bromet.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Pt. I : Introduction -- Ch. 1 Ecological disaster : a concern for the future / Johan M. Havenaar -- Ch. 2 Public health aspects of chemical catastrophes / Peter J. Baxter -- Ch. 3 Understanding the pyshcological and societal response of individuals, groups, authorities, and media to toxic hazards / Julie G. Cwikel, Johan M. Havenaar, and Evelyn J. Bromet -- Part II : Case examples of ecological disasters -- Ch. 4 Pyschological response of mothers of young children to the Three Mile Island and Chernobyl nuclear plant accidents one decade later / Evelyn J. Bromet and Leighann Litcher -- Ch. 5 The chaotic aftermath of an airplane crash in Amsterdam : a second disaster / Joris Yzermans and Bethold P. R. Gersons -- Ch. 6 The Gulf War and its aftermath / Simon Wessley -- Ch. 7 Bhopal gas leak disaster : impact on mental health / R. Srinivasa Murthy -- Ch. 8 Psychological and physical health effects of the 1995 sarin gas attack in the Tokyo subway system / Nozomu Asukai and Kazuhiko Maekawa -- Ch. 9 Perceived health and psychosocial well-being in the Aral Sea area : results from a survey in an area of slow environmental degradation / Joost B. W. van der Meer, Ian B. Small, Eric J. Crighton, and Nathan Ford -- Pt. III : Dealing with ecological disaster -- Ch. 10 Methodological issues in the investigation of chemical accidents / Hilary M. P. Fielder, Stephen R. Palmer, and Gary Coleman -- Ch. 11 Responding to the psychosocial effects of toxic disaster : policy initiatives, constraints, and challenges / Steven M. Becker -- Ch. 12 Voices from the inside : psychological responses to toxic disasters / Anne Speckhard -- Ch. 13 Disasters and the selection of public mental health priorities : a perspective from developing countries / Joop de Jong -- Ch. 14 Epilogue : lessons learned and unresolved issues / Johan M. Havenaar, Julie G. Cwikel, and Evelyn J. Bromet.

This book presents an overview of research on the psychological and societal consequences of ecological disasters. It gives in-depth case studies on most of the major incidents that have occurred in the 1980s and 1990s. It summarizes the accumulated knowledge in this area and identifies areas of future research. It can serve as a resource for practitioners and policymakers dealing with current and future ecological calamities and may help them to define an adequate response to the complex public health challenges these incidents represent.