Hazardous Materials: Personal Protective Equipment Chapter 27 Hazardous Materials: Personal Protective Equipment

Introduction PPE takes on many different shapes and versions When dealing with hazardous materials, these configurations are endless SCBA provides best respiratory protection Firefighter turnout gear is not tested or approved for chemical spills Persons trained to operations level may be required to don chemical protective clothing

Health Hazards Serious concern with hazardous materials emergencies Can affect every responder Protecting the body is easily accomplished

Toxicology The study of poisons and their effect on the body Most industrial facilities have industrial hygienists on staff Their primary focus is on chemical hazards existing within facility They have extensive knowledge in toxicology and chemical exposures

Types of Exposures Exposure to a chemical may present a risk Level defined in terms of potential hazard Acute exposure Chronic exposure Acute exposure: body subjected to large dose in short time May cause injuries from minimal to major Chronic exposure: multiple exposures over a long period of time

Types of Hazards Several methods used to identify possible hazards at a chemical release TRACEMP: Thermal Radiation Asphyxiation Chemical Etiological Mechanical Psychological harm

Categories of Health Hazards Within TRACEMP, responders should understand these terms: Carcinogen Known Suspected Irritant Sensitizer Allergens Convulsant

Table 27-2 Target Organs and Systems

Categories of Health Hazards (cont'd.) Radiation has ability to cause a number of health problems Absorbed dose Radiation doses should be kept “As Low As Reasonably Achievable” (ALARA) Four primary routes of exposure: Respiratory, absorption, ingestion, and injection

Figure 27-2 Routes of exposure.

Figure 27-3 Respiratory system route of exposure.

Exposure Levels In industry, monitoring is commonplace and is usually a preventive action In emergency services, it can be an afterthought Exposure values are based on an average male and are for an industrial application 8-hour day, 40-hour work week Permissible exposure limit (PEL)

Figure 27-4 Explanation of units of measure.

Figure 27-5 Exposure values.

Exposure Levels (cont'd.) Most common exposure values expressed in ppm Values are generally defined for a period of time PEL TLV REL’s Ceiling levels STEL Lethal doses or lethal concentrations

Table 27-7 Exposure Values

Types of Personal Protective Equipment Most common for the firefighter is FFPC Helmet and hood Coat Pants Boots Gloves PASS SCBA

Figure 27-6 The use of SCBA offers tremendous protection against heat and chemical hazards. Responders who enter any environment that may have a chemical present should always use SCBA.

Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus With regard to chemical exposures, SCBA offers a protection factor of 10,000 Most common type of SCBA for chemical spills is a 60-minute type Other types: Supplied air respirators (SARs) Air-purifying respirators (APRs)

Chemical Protective Clothing Four basic levels of chemical protective clothing Levels A, B, C, and D Level A is the highest level Since establishment of levels, many changes have been made to PPE styles and types Chemical protective clothing must be checked prior to use for compatibility with spilled chemical Based on permeation of chemical through the fabric

Figure 27-7 This police officer is wearing an air purifying respirator (APR), which is filtering contaminants from the air.

Chemical Protective Clothing (cont’d.) Level A ensemble: fully encapsulated suit Level B ensemble: encapsulated and coverall Many subvarieties Level C ensemble: incorporates air-purifying respirator within the ensemble Level D ensemble: regular work clothing High-temperature clothing: proximity, fire entry Low-temperature clothing: gloves, aprons, etc.

Figure 27-8 When conducting a permeation test, the fabric splits a test container, and a measurement device is used to see if the chemical goes through the fabric.

Figure 27-9 This Level A ensemble is a gas/vapor-tight garment that protects against most chemicals. Although the protection offered by this ensemble is very high, it is the most stressful to wear.

(A) (B) (C) Figure 27-10 The photos here all represent Level B suits: (A) a coverall style for law-enforcement officers; (B) an encapsulated style, which is not gastight; and (C) a military-designed two-piece garment worn by tactical officers. The respiratory protection is a rebreather style, which provides a four-hour air supply.

Figure 27-11 This Level C ensemble protects against splash hazards and low toxicity materials. It is the use of the air purifying respirator that makes this ensemble Level C.

Figure 27-12 The Level D ensemble is normal work clothing, this example includes Nomex coveralls, chemical gloves, safety glasses, and steel-toe shoes.

Limitations of Personal Protective Equipment Four basic limitations to protective clothing: Heat stress Mobility Visibility Communications problems Type of vapor barrier determines amount of heat stress Be aware of progression of heat stress

Lessons Learned Routes of entry and type of harm that chemicals present vary Chemicals present multiple hazards Most chemicals present chronic hazards, but acute hazards are also avoided SCBA offers a high level of protection Responders have a fear of radiation, but radiation is no different than other hazardous materials