2017 -Tehnological Disasters

1. UNIVERSITYOFAGRONOMICSCIENCESAND
VETERINARYMEDICINEOFBUCHAREST
Coordinating Teacher, Students,
Mihai-Frumușelu Dragoș Constantin
Vija Cristian
Satu Robert
Technological Disasters
-8112-

2. What is a Technological Disaster?
• A technological disaster is a catastrophic event
that is caused by either human error in controlling
technology or a malfunction of a technology system.
• Technology based disasters are as serious as
natural disasters. Sometimes, the disaster symptoms
may gradually appear over a few years, but other
impacts may immediately disrupt society and
business. . The federal government’s disaster
response agency FEMA now operates their own Tech
Sector Collaboration program to deal with
technological disasters.

3. A Quick Summary
Disasters caused by technology involve the failure or
breakdown of systems, equipment and engineering standards
that harms people and the environment. The term itself includes
a wide range of modern issues and consequences of technology
mismanagement and engineering mistakes. Technology disasters
include structural collapses, such as bridges, mines and buildings,
but also industrial accidents, such as chemical or nuclear
explosions. The effects of pollution, like smog and acid rain, are
long-term manmade disasters. Taking care of sudden disaster
may be straightforward, but chronic problems sometimes divide
communities or put the public at odds with the government. It
may be hard to pinpoint who is ultimately responsible for the
cause of a complex disaster and paying for the costs of recovery.

4. • The disaster may chronically grow unnoticed or may result
because of a single major event. For example, if a train derails and
spills chemicals near a residential area, people are evacuated and
the event is recognized. However, if low amounts of chemical
contamination occur over a lengthy time period, there may be no
person or organization to blame. Acute disasters are brief, well-
defined events that may have long-term consequences. This may be
a one-time oil spill from ship or a breach in a mining damn. A natural
disaster like a flood may break an underground fuel storage tank.
However, chronic disasters are more likely to occur because of
repeated behaviors that are ignored or not reported. Chronic
problems are often exposed after acute events. For example, toxins
that are illegally dumped will leach into the environment.
Manufacturing companies that do not control their storm water
runoff may flood the surrounding environment with toxins.

5. The Effects of Technological Disasters
• Technology induced disasters are very stressful because
they are chaotic, harmful and unpredictable. Individuals,
families and communities are all affected on different levels.
For individuals, they may experience loss of income,
employment and certainty about the future. Some people
experience serious depression and even post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD). When it comes to communities, people may
feel collectively frustrated with public officials, responders and
those who manage the technology. Due to rumors and
miscommunication, people may lack trust, make poor
decisions and expect too much from public services. All in all,
the community may be split by varying viewpoints.

6. • When it comes to businesses, they will experience loss of
revenue because of suspended business services, or get
overwhelmed with too much demand for functions. In order to
maintain peace and stability, most public officials strive to share
information and involve community members in decision making
processes.

7. The key to managing technological disasters is
through individual, community, first responder and
government preparedness. Emergency response plans,
communication hierarchies, command structures and
public education all help. Any technological disaster can
be handled through proper communication,
collaboration and communication.