Ch. 2 Hazmat Properties and Effects Flashcards
Most FUNDAMENTAL of all actions is the ability to:
Observe the scene
AND
Understand the problem
Potential ways of breach (6)
DRCPST
Disintegration. Runaway cracking. Closures opening up. Punctures. Splits. Tears.
__________ occurs when pressurized liquified materials inside a closed vessel are exposed to a source of high heat.
BLEVE
p. 22 “the vessel fails”
A description of the volume increase when a compressed liquified gas material changes into a gas.
Expansion ratio
Propane 270 to 1
Liquids with LOW flash points typically have _____ vapor pressures and ___ ignition temperatures.
Higher
Higher
(FIV-v^^ or ^vv)
FIV-Flash Point/Ignition Temp/Vapor Pressure
F=⬆️
I/V=⬇️
F=⬇️
I/V=⬆️
Minimum temp at which a liquid or solid releases SUFFICIENT vapor to form an ignitable mixture with air
Flash point
Temperature at which SUSTAINED COMBUSTION will occur
Fire point
Flash point of diesel
120-140F
Key point to understanding vapor pressure
Vapors released from surface of any liquid must be contained if they are to exert pressure
Minimum temp at which a fuel will ignite in air and CONTINUE TO BURN
Ignition (Autoignition) temperature
The _________ of a flammable liquid dictates the behavior of the substance once it is released.
Molecular weight
Molecules behave
LEL and UEL of gasoline
1.4-7.6
14.7 psi = torr? mmHg? atm? bar?
760 torr.
760 mmHg.
1 atm.
1 bar
Normal temperature and pressure (NTP)
14.7 psi @ 68F,
If vapor pressure and ignition temp go down… (MBFH)
Molecular weight goes up.
Boiling point goes up.
Flash point goes up.
Heat output goes up.
Standard time and pressure (STP)
14.7 psi @ 32F
Acids and bases have which ions?
Acids - predominant amount of hydrogen ions.
Bases - predominant amount of hydroxide ions
Vapor density of Propane
1.51
HOT - 1.52
Ability of a material to cause damage to skin, eyes, or other parts of the body
Corrosivity
Generally, pH values of ____ or less and those of _____ or greater, are considered to be STRONG.
- 5
12. 5
Vapor density of chlorine
2.5
If you know the ___________, you can BEGIN TO PREDICT what the substance will do IF it escapes.
State of matter and other physical properties
Oxides of Nitrogen
Deep lung irritants.
Cause pulmonary edema
Energy transmitted through space in the form of electromagnetic waves or energetic particles
Radiation
Energy
Health hazards posed by radiation are a function of two factors:
AMOUNT of radiation absorbed by your body has a direct relationship to the DEGREE of DAMAGE done. (ADD)
Exposure TIME to the radiation will ultimately affect the EXTENT of the INJURY. (TEI)
In the nucleus, there are _____ and _______. Orbiting the nucleus are ________.
Protons, neutrons.
Electrons.
Variation in the number of ________ creates a radioactive isotope of the element.
Neutrons
____ is the natural and spontaneous process by which unstable atoms (isotopes) of an element decay to a different state and emit or radiate excess energy in the form of particles or waves.
Radioactivity
Process
Form of radiation energy is produced when an electrically charged particle is GIVEN OFF by the nucleus of an unstable atom.
Alpha radiation
Travel distance of Alpha particles:
Beta particles:
Less than a few inches.
10 to 15 ft
Typical Alpha emitters
Americium (smoke detectors). Polonium (cigarette smoke). Radium. Radon. Thorium. Uranium.
Particles given off/ejected from the nucleus
Alpha (given off) and Beta (ejected)
Radioactive contamination occurs when radioactive material is ____________. Contaminated person has _____________ on or inside their body.
Deposited on an object OR a person.
Radioactive material
When a person is EXPOSED to radiation, ____________ the body.
Energy penetrates
Examples of ionizing radiation
Beta
X-rays
Gamma
has capability to cause change in human cells
ALARA
As low as reasonably achievable
Examples of non-ionizing radiation
Does not have sufficient energy to break bonds and create ions
Sound waves
Radio waves
Microwaves
Common beta emitters
Tritium
Iodine
Cesium
Most energetic radiation responders may encounter
Gamma radiation
Gamma differs from alpha and beta radiation in that:
It is not a particle ejected from the nucleus; it is PURE electromagnetic energy
Gamma
Nucleus still has too much energy after ejecting beta particles, it may release a _______.
Photon
Sources of gamma
Cesium
Cobalt
Process by which people, animals, the environment, and equipment are subjected to or come into contact with a hazardous material.
Exposure
_____ penetrating particles found in the nucleus of an atom. These are not themselves radioactive but exposure to them can create radiation, such as gamma radiation.
Neutrons
Chemical is released and physically comes in contact with people, the environment, and everything around it, either intentionally or unintentionally, the RESIDUE of that chemical is called ________.
Contamination
Also known as cross-contamination, occurs when a person or object transfers the contaminant or the source of contamination to another person (responder or civilian) or object by direct contact.
Secondary contamination
TRACEMP
Thermal (intentional explosions, fires, cryogenic)
Radiological (dirty bomb)
Asphyxiation (nitrogen, blood agents)
Chemical (intentional release of TIC, nerve, vesicant, poison)
Etiological
Mechanical (property damage and injury)
Psychogenic (mental harm)
Pose a significant threat to civilians and responders alike. Ability to enter body through lungs or skin and systemically affect the function of human body.
Nerve agent
Water-like liquid nerve agent that is primarily a VAPOR hazard
Sarin
Exposure to ______ is NOT an automatic death sentence.
Nerve agent
slow or rapid heartbeat
Recognition of signs and symptoms of _____ is vital. Reported to have fruity odors.
Nerve agent
SLUDGEM for nerve agent (not necessarily nerve gas)
Salivation Lacrimation Urination Defecation Gastric disturbance Emesis Miosis (construction of pupils)
The _____ and _____ classes of pesticides are similar to weapons-grade nerve agents but less toxic.
Organophosphate and carbamate
Common blister agents are ______ and _____.
Sulfur mustard
Lewisite
Sulfur mustard more typically found in _____ state and when pure is __________ and when mixed _____. Smells like ______ or ____.
Liquid. Colorless and odorless. Brownish in color. Garlic. Onions
Exposure to sulfur mustard _____________. Victim may not experience _________. Redness and blistering may not appear until __________ after exposure.
May not be immediately apparent.
Pain or any other sign indicating current contact.
2 to 24 hrs (HOT 4-48 hrs)
Sulfur mustard can cause injuries similar to _________. ______ are much more serious. Sulfur mustard is very _____, remain intact for _______.
Second and Third degree burns.
Inhalation exposures.
Persistent in the ENVIRONMENT.
Several days
Lewisite contains ______, symptoms specific to ______ such as ______ and ______.
Smells like _____ and unlike sulfur, will produce _______.
Arsenic.
Arsenic poisoning.
Vomiting.
LOW blood pressure (Lewisite=Low).
Geraniums, immediate pain
Chemicals that, when absorbed by the body, INTERFERE with the transfer of oxygen from the blood to the cells. interfere like a special agent
Blood agent
________, including hydrogen cyanide (AC) and cyanogen chloride (CK), prevent the body from using oxygen.
Cyanide compounds
Main route of cyanide compounds is inhalation but many of these agents can be _____ or ______. _______ has odor of bitter almonds.
Ingested.
Absorbed through the skin.
Hydrogen cyanide
Approx. ____ of general population cannot detect the presence. Odor threshold and amount of ____ that would be lethal are very close, so odor alone cannot be used.
60%
Cyanide
S/S of cyanide exposure
Vomiting.
Dizziness.
Watery eyes.
Deep/Rapid breathing
Predominantly designed to inhibit breathing and are typically intended to ___________; nevertheless, death and serious injury are possible.
Choking agents.
Incapacitate rather than to kill
choking=incapacitate
Nature of choking agents ________ and _________.
Alerts potential victims to their presence.
Allows for escape from environment when possible
Choking
In event of significant exposure, the main threat from these materials is __________. Also act as ___________, they can cause _____ and _______.
Pulmonary edema.
(Chemically-induced pneumonia)
Skin irritant.
Mild/moderate skin irritation.
Significant burning
______ and ______ have been reported to smell like freshly mown grass or hay. Odors noticeable/strong enough to _____________.
Phosgene and chloropicrin.
Alert victims to presence
_______ dispersed to BRIEFLY incapacitate a person of groups of people. Can cause ____ and ______. Lasts ____ to _____, usually with ________.
Irritants (Riot Control Agents).
Pain and burning sensation (skin, eyes, mucous).
Several minutes.
Several hours.
No lasting effects.
Irritants dispersed by ____, _____ or ______.
Canisters.
Hand-held sprayers.
Grenades
Of all the groups of WMDs, _____ pose the LEAST amount of danger in terms of toxicity.
Irritants
Chemicals capable of causing convulsions or seizures when they are absorbed by the body.
Convulsants
Convulsants include:
Nerve agents
Organophosphates
Carbamates
Convulsants
Chemicals that fall into this category are:
Nerve agents (tabun, sarin, soman, VX) Organophosphate and carbamate pesticides
Pesticides capable of functioning of convulsants
Parathion.
Aldicarb.
Diazinon.
Fonofos.
Chemical substances enter the human body four ways:
Inhalation.
Absorption (permeating skin).
Ingestion.
Injection (cuts or other breaches)
InhalatIOn is a _________ to the bloodstream
Direct pOInt of access
Eyes-direct ROUTE to brain/CNS
Cause substantial irritation when lodged in lung tissue
Small particles of dust.
Fiberglass insulation.
Asbestos.
Soot from fire
_____ is by far the most important PIECE of PPE that firefighters have at their disposal.
Open-circuit SCBA
piece-face piece
Full and half-face APR’s offer SPECIFIC degrees of protection if:
Chemical hazard present is known
AND
Appropriate filter canister is used
According to OSHA, any work environment containing less than _____% oxygen is considered to be _______ and will require SCBA or supplied air respirator.
19.5
Oxygen-deficient
When considering protection against airborne contamination, it is important to understand the ____, ____, and _____ relative to the oxygen levels in the area. In some cases, the _________________ may dictate the level of respiratory protection employed.
Origin.
Concentration.
Potential impact of the contamination.
Anticipated particle size of the contamination
Weaponized anthrax spores typically vary in size from ______________.
.5 to 1 micron
Capable of causing illness
Infectious
Capable of passing it to another person
Contagious
Anthrax and smallpox. Contagious, infectious or both?
Anthrax - infectious.
Smallpox - infectious and contagious
One of the most important COMPONENTS of any PPE.
Respiratory protection
Absorption not limited to the skin. What body parts are also part of the equation?
Eyes.
Nose.
Mouth.
Intestinal tract (to a certain degree)
Eyes will absorb a _____ amount of liquid and vapor
High
Moderate
Low
High
Allows chemical to follow direct route to the brain and CNS
Eyes, through optic nerve (Absorption).
Direct point of access to bloodstream-inhalation
Aggressive solvents are ____ absorbed through the skin.
Readily
Direct portal to the bloodstream
Open wounds (injection)
Adverse health effect that occurs gradually over time after long term exposure
Chronic health hazard (aka chronic health effect)
May appear either after long-term or chronic exposures or following MULTIPLE SHORT-TERM exposures that occur over a shorter period of time
Chronic health EFFECTS
Long term exposure over the course of many months or years
Chronic exposure
Relatively short exposure period
Considered to be sub-chronic with effects occurring either immediately after a single exposure or as long as several DAYS or WEEKS
Acute health effects
A “right now” exposure that produces OBSERVABLE signs such as eye irritation, coughing, dizziness, and skin burns
Acute exposure
Chemical that causes a substantial proportion of exposed people or animals to develop an allergic reaction in normal tissue after repeated exposure to the chemical
Sensitizer
Degree to which something is toxic or poisonous
OR
Adverse effect a substance may have on a whole organism, such as a human, or to a substructure, such as a cell or a specific organ
Toxicity
Difference between LC and LD?
LC = substance is vapor or gas. LD = dermal threat or harmful when ingested (any route OTHER than inhalation).
Lowest dosage per unit of body weight
LC50/LD50
LC Hi or LC100
50 - to kill half the members tested.
Hi or 100 - to kill all members tested
Containers are based on their capacity:
Bulk
Nonbulk storage containers
At some point early in the incident, it is vital to determine whether the pool of responders has the right _____, _____ and ______ to positively influence the outcome of the incident.
Training
Equipment
Protective gear
Responders must establish a safe perimeter around the problem, keeping it secure from _______ and _______.
Accidental entrance
Possible human exposures
Most important INITIAL actions taken at a hazardous materials incident REVOLVE around ______________ and ________________.
Identifying the problem
Taking actions to limit the spread of contamination and/or human exposures
Causes of product release
Thermal influence
Mechanical damage
Chemical reaction
