4 Chemical Disasters

Question 1

the immediate area where the suspected chemicals and victims of exposure are located

Answer 1

hot zone

• only trained personnel in fully encapsulated protective gear should be allowed to enter
• their primary role is rescue victims by removing them from further exposure

Question 2

a surrounding corridor through which each victim is washed off and decontaminated is created outside the hot zone and is designated as…

Answer 2

warm zone

-basic treatment, such as opening obstructed airways, may occur simultaneously with decontamination

Question 3

what can be done in the cold zone?

Answer 3

reevaluation, triage, and initiation of treatment

Question 4

Remarks on identification of the substance involved

Answer 4

Although it may be intuitive that an exact identification of a substance is critical to the disaster or hazardous material process, in reality, it is more important to recognize the clinical syndromic manifestations of the victims.

Question 5

Universal decontamination agent

Answer 5

water
In general, 5 minutes of decontamination with warm water in the warm zone is adequate for most ambulatory patients.

Question 6

Primary stabilization in the cold zone includes

Answer 6

establishment of airway
applying oxygen, and
adminstering bronchodialaors for bronchospasm

Question 7

Level A PPE

Answer 7

Completely encapsulated protection
Requires use of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) inside a chemical-resistant suit sealed at the face.
Taped or suit-incorporated gloves and boots make this a completely sealed environment

Question 8

Level B PPE

Answer 8

Provides either an SCBA or a supplied air respiratory and splash protection.
The SCBA is worn outside the protective clothing and could expose this equipment to secondary contamination

Question 9

Level C PPE

Answer 9

Either a gas-mask or air-purifying respirator and skin splash protection.
This is the highest level of protection most hospital-based personnel should be trained to use

Question 10

The most common agent released in chemical events

Answer 10

the highly soluble pulmonary irritant ammonia

Question 11

2nd most common hazardous material released

Answer 11

chlorine

Question 12

Remarks on antitoxin for botulism

Answer 12

1. Treatment with antitoxin will prevent progression of the disease but will not reverse paralysis once it occurs.
2. Administer the antitoxin based on clinical suspicion as early as possible; do not wait for the results of laboratory tests.

Question 13

Clinical presentation of botulism

Answer 13

difficulty swallowing
palsies of extraocular muscles
trouble speaking