Hazmat for First Responders (2Nd Edition) s1

Hazardous Materials for First Responders (2nd Edition) Study Notes

HazMat for First Responders (2nd Edition)
Chapter 9 - Decontamination Techniques
Test Review
Steps on pages 208-209 have been omitted from notes.

§ The spread of contaminants beyond the hot zone is termed secondary contamination.

§ Contamination is the transfer of a HazMat to persons, equipment, and environment in greater than acceptable quantities.

§ Exposure is the process by which people, equipment, and the environment are subjected to or come in contact with a HazMat.

§ The magnitude of an exposure is dependent on the duration of the exposure and the concentration of the HazMat.

§ Secondary contamination can come from workers' clothing/tools and air currents/runoff.

§ Decontamination is the removal of contaminants from workers' PPE and tools.

§ Decontamination occurs in the warm zone decontamination corridor that runs from the hot zone to the cold zone.

§ Methods of decontamination include: dilution, absorption, chemical degradation, and isolation/disposal.

§ Dilution is the decon process of using water to flush the contaminant from the contaminated victim or object.

§ Dilution is an advantageous option of decon because of its accessibility, speed, and economy of using water (water may cause reaction with some contaminants).

§ Absorption is the process of picking up a liquid contaminant with an absorbent (inert material).

§ Examples of absorbents include: soil, diatomaceous earth, vermiculite, and sand.

§ An absorbents' disadvantage is that it does not alter the HazMat.

§ Chemical degradation is the process of using another material to change the chemical structure of a HazMat.

§ Commonly used chemical degradation chemicals include: household bleach (calcium hypochlorite), isopropyl alcohol, hydrated lime (calcium oxide), household drain cleaner (sodium hydroxide), baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), and liquid detergents.

§ Using chemical degradation can reduce cleanup costs.

§ A disadvantage of chemical degradation for decon is the time it takes to pick a chemical to match the HazMat.

§ Chemical degradation decon is NOT used on people.

§ Decontamination sites should be selected according to accessibility, surface material, lighting, drains/waterways, water, and weather.

§ Crucial time periods that make decon accessibility important are travel time in hot zone, time alotted in hot zone, travel time back to decon, and decon time.

§ Decontamination sites should ideally slope toward the hot zone.

§ A hard, non-porous surface is best for decon (prevents ground contamination).

§ A cover or tarp should be used as a base for decon whether the surface is porous or not.

§ Avoid locating decon sites near storm/sewer drains, creeks, ponds, ditches, and waterways.

§ Weak hydrochloric acid solutions are sometimes used to neutralize caustic materials, while sodium carbonate solutions may be used to neutralize acids.

§ Decon sites should be set up upwind of the hot zone.

§ The decontamination corridor should be established before any work is done in the hot zone.

§ Wading pools may be used for catch basins in decon sites.

§ A recovery drum/container and plastic bags are needed at the decon area to store contaminated items/tools.

§ A low-volume, low-pressure hoseline, such as garden hose is ideal for decon.

§ Regardless of PPE worn by decon personnel, chemical gloves must be worn.

§ Emergency decontamination is the physical process of immediately ridding dangerous contaminants from individuals and is used when special PPE fails, first responders accidentally get contaminated, and for victims with immediate medical needs.

§ With emergency decon, there is NO regard for environment or property.

§ SCBA and undergloves should always be the last items off during decon (breath air until end).

§ "Gross Decon" and "Emergency Decon" are sometimes used synonymously, however, gross decon takes place as the first step in a series of decon procedures, while emergency decon usually takes place early in an incident before a basic decon has been set up.

§ Emergency decon may be needed even after basic decon has been set up (i.e.-responder falls into acid).

§ A portable shower can be used for emergency decon.