NORFOLK COUNTY

Hazard and Vulnerability Analysis

Hazard and Vulnerability Analysis

Introduction

Study of hazard analysis involves the concepts of vulnerability, risks, and hazards, with hazards research evolving to include considerations of social vulnerability and resilience. Vulnerability to hazards varies depending on both the physical and the social setting of a community (Cross, 2010). This paper conducts a hazard and vulnerability analysis on the Norfolk County, Massachusetts.

Hazard Identification

Bird Landfill

Bird Landfill is located on Merchant's Way, southwest of Norfolk Street in Walpole, Norfolk County, Massachusetts. It constitutes a landfill area of approximately 85 acres. The site has been used as a landfill since 1990 (CDC, 2011). There are many residential properties that are present east and southwest of the landfill site. Norwood Roofing Plant transferred its production waste to the area, and started filling the land again since 1997. The 21E sites in Norfolk County describes the locations that have become hazardous due to releases of oil or other hazardous chemicals from the plants located in the nearby region of Norfolk County (CDC, 2011). These actions are sources of contamination of water and air of Norfolk County.

Water Pollution

Chemicals that pollute the water come from fertilizers and pesticides being used, such as insecticides, pesticides or fungicides commonly used to control insects and protect plants. These products can be carried by runoff and pollute groundwater. Chemical fertilizers are transported into lakes or rivers by rain water and cause the degradation of the water. The domain industry is also very harmful to the water, either because of global warming on temperature in some industries like the manufacturing industry, or because of industrial waste carried by runoff or discharged directly into rivers. Groundwater of Norfolk County is being polluted by metals; some of which dissolve in water immediately.

Marine Pollution

Marine Pollution refers to pollution by oil or other hazardous substances. Hazardous material and oil spills are potential sources of exposure to contamination. The County has two major ports, King's Lynn to the west and Great Yarmouth on the east coast, both handling a large number of ship movements each year. In addition, there are numerous large ships using the North Sea and during the summer months the county's beaches are very popular with tourists.

Profile of the Hazards

Hazard

Magnitude

Frequency

Seasonal Pattern

Duration

Speed of Onset

Priority

Bird Landfill

1

1

Continuous

Ongoing

Gradual basis

High

Water Pollution

2

2

Continuous

Ongoing

Gradual basis

High

Marine Pollution

3

4

Summer

1 year

Spreads rapidly

High

Note: “1” represents the highest magnitude; “4” represents the lowest magnitude

“1” represents the high frequency; “4” represents the low frequency of occurrence

Vulnerability Analysis

Analysis ...