Environmental toxins comprise diverse chemical groups present in air, water, soil, food, and indoor environments, which exert deleterious effects on the health of living organisms. After a disaster, releases of environmental chemical pollutants from waste storage facilities, industrial plants, and debris inflict substantial damage on both human populations and natural ecosystems. Human exposure to chemical toxins is directly correlated with various malignancies, including malignant mesothelioma. Furthermore, environmental toxins are associated with chronic diseases. The accumulation of these chemicals in ecosystems leads to diminished biodiversity, genotoxicity, and subsequent concentration within the food chain via bioaccumulation. Principal environmental toxins include pesticides for pest control, herbicides for weed eradication, heavy metals resulting from industrial pollution, volatile organic compounds emitted during petrochemical processes and fires, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins, furans, particulate matter, asbestos, and other hazardous fibrous minerals.

Identifying chemical exposure risks prior to disease onset is imperative for the implementation of preventive measures. In instances of chemical poisoning, emergency units must be equipped with personal protective equipment specific to the chemical involved. The clinical management of poisoning encompasses stabilization, laboratory evaluation, decontamination (gastrointestinal, dermal, and ocular), antidote administration, accelerated elimination, observation, and discharge protocols. Consultation with the National Poison Control Center prior to discharge or at treatment initiation, without delaying primary interventions, provides essential support for clinical decision-making. Consequently, the management of poisoning during disasters represents a critical, multidisciplinary challenge for both public and environmental health. Appropriate interventions protect not only human health but also the environment. Such outcomes are contingent upon comprehensive disaster preparedness, encompassing robust knowledge, clinical expertise, strategic planning, and adequate infrastructural capacity.