Chapter 33 Estimating Potential Harm and Planning a Response

Question 1

A respirator that removes specific air contaminants by passing ambient air through one or more air purification components. (NFPA 1984)

Answer 1

Air-purifying respirator (APR)

Question 2

Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear.

Answer 2

CBRN

Question 3

Clothing (suit fabrics) specifically designed to inhibit or resist the passage of chemicals into and through the material by the processes of penetration, permeation, or degradation.

Answer 3

Chemical-resistant materials

Question 4

Self-contained breathing apparatus designed to recycle the user’s exhaled air. This system removes carbon dioxide and generates fresh oxygen.

Answer 4

Closed-circuit self-contained breathing apparatus

Question 5

The process of transferring a hazardous material, or the hazardous component of a weapon of mass destruction (WMD), from its source to people, animals, the environment, or equipment, which can act as a carrier.

Answer 5

Contamination

Question 6

The physical and/or chemical process of reducing and preventing the spread and effects of contaminants to people, animals, the environment, or equipment involved at hazardous materials/weapons of mass destruction (WMD) incidents. (NFPA 1072)

Answer 6

Decontamination

Question 7

The area usually located within the warm zone where decontamination is performed. (NFPA 1072)

Answer 7

Decontamination corridor

Question 8

A chemical action involving the molecular breakdown of a protective clothing material or equipment due to contact with a chemical.

Answer 8

Degradation

Question 9

A policy under which, once the perimeter around a release site has been identified and marked out, responders limit access to all but essential personnel.

Answer 9

Denial of entry

Question 10

The process of immediately reducing contamination of individuals in potentially life-threatening situations with or without the formal establishment of a decontamination corridor. (NFPA 1072)

Answer 10

Emergency decontamination

Question 11

The removal or relocation of those individuals who may be affected by an approaching release of a hazardous material.

Answer 11

Evacuation

Question 12

A phase of the decontamination process where significant reduction of the amount of surface contamination takes place as soon as possible, most often accomplished by mechanical removal of the contaminant takes place as soon as possible, most often accomplished by mechanical removal of the contaminant or initial rinsing from handheld hose lines, emergency showers, or other nearby sources of water. (NFPA 1072)

Answer 12

Gross decontamination

Question 13

A type of personal protective equipment that shields the wearer during short-term exposures to high temperatures. Sometimes referred to as a proximity suit, this type of equipment allows the properly trained fire fighter to work in extreme fire conditions. It is not designed to protect against hazardous materials or weapons of mass destruction.

Answer 13

High-temperature-protective equipment

Question 14

Any condition that would pose an immediate or delayed threat to life, cause irreversible adverse health effects, or interfere with an individual’s ability to escape unaided from a hazardous environment. (NFPA 1670)

Answer 14

Immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH)

Question 15

Steps taken to identify a perimeter around a contaminated atmosphere. Isolating an area is driven largely by the nature of the released chemicals and the environmental conditions that exist at the time of the release.

Answer 15

Isolation of the hazard area

Question 16

Personal protective equipment that provides protection against vapors, gases, mists, and even dusts. The highest level of protection, Level A requires a totally encapsulating suit that includes a self-contained breathing apparatus.

Answer 16

Level A ensemble

Question 17

Personal protective equipment that is used when the type and atmospheric concentration of substances require a high level of respiratory protection but less skin protection. The kinds of gloves and boots worn depend on the identified chemical.

Answer 17

Level B ensemble

Question 18

Personal protective equipment that is used when the type of airborne substance is known, the concentration is measured, the criteria for using an air-purifying respirator are met, and skin and eye exposure are unlikely. A _____ _ ensemble consists of standard work clothing with the addition of chemical-protective clothing, chemically resistant gloves, and a form of respiratory protection.

Answer 18

Level C ensemble

Question 19

Personal protective equipment that is used when the atmosphere contains no known hazard, and work functions preclude splashes, immersion, or the potential for unexpected inhalation of or contact with hazardous levels of chemicals. A _____ _ ensemble is primarily a work uniform that includes coveralls and affords minimal protection.

Answer 19

Level D ensemble

Question 20

Clothing designed to protect the wearer from chemical splashes. It does not provide total body protection from gases or vapors and should not be used for incidents involving liquids that emit vapors known to affect or be absorbed through the skin. NFPA 1992 is the performance document pertaining to liquid-splash garments and ensembles.

Answer 20

Liquid splash-protective clothing

Question 21

The physical process of reducing or removing surface contaminants from large numbers of victims in potentially life-threatening situations in the fastest time possible. (NFPA 1072)

Answer 21

Mass decontamination

Question 22

The movement of a material through a suit’s closures, such as zippers, buttonholes, seams, flaps, or other design features of chemical-protective clothing, and through punctures, cuts, and tears. (NFPA 1072)

Answer 22

Penetration

Question 23

A chemical action involving the movement of chemicals, on a molecular level, through intact material. (NFPA 1072)

Answer 23

Permeation

Question 24

The established standard limit of exposure to a hazardous material. It is based on the maximum time-weighted concentration at which 95 percent of exposed, healthy adults suffer no adverse effects over a 40-hour workweek.

Answer 24

Permissable exposure limit (PEL)

Question 25

An air-purifying respirator that uses a powered blower to force the ambient air through one or more air-purifying components to the respiratory inlet covering. (NFPA 1984)

Answer 25

Powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR)

Question 26

A value established by NIOSH that is comparable to OSHA’s permissible exposure limit (PEL) and the threshold limit value/time-weighted average (TLV/TWA). The REL measures the maximum time-weighted concentration of material to which 95 percent of healthy adults can be exposed without suffering any adverse effects over a 40-hour workweek.

Answer 26

Recommended exposure level (REL)

Question 27

The process by which a contaminant is carried out of the hot zone and contaminates people, animals, the environment, or equipment. Also referred to as cross-contamination.

Answer 27

Secondary contamination

Question 28

A respirator worn by the user that supplies a respirable atmosphere, that is either carried in or generated by the apparatus, and that is independent of the ambient environment. (NFPA 350)

Answer 28

Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)

Question 29

A method of safeguarding people located near or in a hazardous area by keeping them in a safe atmosphere, usually inside structures.

Answer 29

Sheltering-in-place

Question 30

An atmosphere-supplying respirator for which the source of breathing air is not designed to be carried by the user. Also known as an air-line respirator. (NFPA 1989)

Answer 30

Supplied-air respirator (SAR)

Question 31

The planned and systematic process of reducing contamination to a level that is as low as reasonably achievable.

Answer 31

Technical decontamination

Question 32

The point at which a hazardous material or weapon of mass destruction begins to affect a person.

Answer 32

Threshold limit value (TLV)

Question 33

The maximum concentration of hazardous material to which a worker can sustain a 15-minute exposure not more than four times daily without experiencing irritation or chronic or irreversible tissue damage. There should be a minimum 1-hour rest period between any exposures to this concentration of the material. The lower the TLV/STEL value, the more toxic the substance.

Answer 33

Threshold limit value/ceiling (TLV/C)

Question 34

The concentration at which direct or airborne contact with a material could result in possible and is significant exposure from absorption through the skin, mucous membranes, and eyes.

Answer 34

Threshold limit value/skin

Question 35

The airborne concentration of a material to which a worker can be exposed for hours a day, 40 hours a week and not suffer any ill effects.

Answer 35

Threshold limit value/time-weighted average (TLV/TWA)

Question 36

The garment portion of a chemical-protective clothing ensemble that is designed and configured to protect the wearer against chemical vapors or gases.

Answer 36

Vapor-protective clothing