Contamination and Decontamination Contamination – The transfer of a hazardous material in greater than acceptable quantities to People Equipment Environment

Contamination and Decontamination Decontamination – Decon – Contamination Reduction The process of removing hazardous materials to prevent the spread of contaminants beyond a specific area Reduce contamination to levels that are no longer harmful

Contamination and Decontamination Types of Contamination – Primary (Direct) – Secondary – Surface – Permeation

Contamination and Decontamination Types of Contamination – Primary (Direct) Simply referred to as contamination Occurs in the hot zone – Direct contact with a hazardous material – Direct transfer of a hazardous material to » People » Animals » Equipment » Environment Easiest way to avoid contamination – Avoid contact with the hazardous material

Contamination and Decontamination Types of Contamination – Secondary Sometimes called cross contamination Occurs outside the hot zone carried by – Personnel's clothing – Tools – Air Currents – Runoff Water Personnel, equipment, etc. must be decontaminated prior to leaving the hot zone

Contamination and Decontamination Types of Contamination – Surface Limited to the surface of a material Doesn’t penetrate, permeate, or soak into materials – Dry solids – Chemical powders – Chemical dusts Unlikely to contaminate anything except the outer surfaces they contact

Contamination and Decontamination Types of Contamination – Permeation Penetrate below the surface of a material Particularly if chemicals are liquids or gases – Contact material is porous

Contamination and Decontamination Decontamination Methods – Must determine the type and method of decon before personnel enter the hot zone – Methods Wet or dry Physical or chemical – Before initiating decon consider? Is it safe to conduct decon? What are the alternatives? Are there adequate resources to conduct the operation?

Contamination and Decontamination Decontamination Methods – Wet Involve washing the contaminated surface with solutions Flushing with a hose stream or safety shower – Usually necessitate the collection of runoff water » Wading pools » Liquid retaining devices

Contamination and Decontamination Decontamination Methods – Dry Methods such as scraping, brushing & absorption Removing contaminated clothing Allowing an aerosol to evaporate Removing contaminated dust – Vacuuming – Sticky tape Do not create large amounts of contaminated liquid runoff

Contamination and Decontamination Decontamination Methods – Physical Contaminated removed without changing the material chemically Contaminant is then contained for disposal – Absorption – Adsorption – Brushing – Scraping – Dilution – Evaporation – Washing

Contamination and Decontamination Decontamination Methods – Chemical Used to make the contaminant less harmful – Changes it through some kind of chemical process Using bleach to kill a potentially harmful etiological agent – Chemical degradation – Sanitization – Disinfection – Sterilization – Neutralization – Solidification

Contamination and Decontamination Decontamination Types and Procedures – Can be performed by operational level responders Operations Plus – Must be given appropriate training

Contamination and Decontamination Decontamination Types and Procedures – Gross Decon Aimed at getting the worst contaminate parts off the victim quickly Usually by flushing with water – Hose stream – Safety shower – Other water source Performed before technical decon – Entry team personnel – Victims during emergency decon – Persons requiring mass decon

Contamination and Decontamination Decontamination Types and Procedures – Emergency Decon Removing the threatening contaminant from the victim as quickly as possible No regard for the environment or property May be necessary for both victims and rescuers – Failure of protective clothing – Accidental contamination of first responders – Heat illness or other injury suffered by first responders – Immediate medical attention required for other victims

Contamination and Decontamination Decontamination Types and Procedures – Emergency Decon Considered a quick fix Removal of all contaminants may not occur A more thorough decontamination must follow Creates contaminated runoff that can be harmful to the environment – Benefit outweighs the risk

Contamination and Decontamination Decontamination Types and Procedures – Technical (Formal) Decon Uses chemicals or physical methods to thoroughly remove contaminants from responders – Primarily entry team personnel and their equipment May also be used on incident victims in non-life- threatening situations Usually conducted after gross decon

Contamination and Decontamination Decontamination Types and Procedures – Technical (Formal) Decon Uses chemicals or physical methods to thoroughly remove contaminants from responders – Primarily entry team personnel and their equipment May also be used on incident victims in non-life- threatening situations Usually conducted after gross decon

Contamination and Decontamination Decontamination Types and Procedures – Mass Decon Process of conducting gross decontamination of multiple people at one time in emergency situations May be conducted with or without formal decon High volume low pressure nozzles – Ideally, a soap and water solution is more effective Using building features – Fire sprinklers – Public fountains – Swimming pools

Contamination and Decontamination Decontamination Types and Procedures – Patient Decon Necessary whenever victims have been contaminated yet need medical attention Uses the same techniques as – Gross – Emergency – Technical

Contamination and Decontamination Decontamination Types and Procedures – Decontamination Implementation Site Selection – Accessibility » Adjacent to the hot zone – Terrain and surface material » Site ideally slopes towards the hot zone – Lighting (electrical supply) » Should have adequate lighting – Drains and waterways » Protect all environmentally sensitive areas – Water supply » Water must be available – Weather » Up wind of the hot zone

Contamination and Decontamination Decontamination Types and Procedures – Decontamination Corridor Should be visually identifiable – Barrier tape – Safety cones Ensure privacy Bag and tag contaminated clothing / effects

Contamination and Decontamination Decontamination Types and Procedures – Evidence Collection Haz mat incidents may also be crime scenes Minimize the amount of disturbance – Life safety must always be a top priority Dead victims may contain evidence on or in their bodies – Still must go through decon before transporting – Personal effects become evidence

Contamination and Decontamination Decontamination Types and Procedures – Termination NFPA 471 – A debriefing needs to be held for those involved » As soon as practical » Provide as much information as possible » Delayed health effects » Schedule follow-up examinations

Contamination and Decontamination Works Cited N.F.P.A. 472 “Standard for Competence of responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents” 2008 Edition N.F.P.A 1001 “Standard for Professional Firefighter Qualifications” 2008 Edition N.F.P.A “Standard on Emergency Services Incident Management System” 2008 Edition O.S.H.A 29 CFR “Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response” U.S. DOT “Emergency Response Guidebook” 2008 Edition