Contamination and Decontamination Contamination The transfer of a

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-lifethreatening 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-lifethreatening 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. 1561 “Standard on Emergency Services Incident Management System” 2008 Edition O. S. H. A 29 CFR 1910. 120 “Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response” U. S. DOT “Emergency Response Guidebook” 2008 Edition