HazMat for First Responders (2nd Edition)



HazMat for First Responders (2nd Edition)

Chapter 2 - Properties of HazMat

Test Review

▪ HazMat may be elements, compounds, or mixtures found in gaseous, liquid, or solid states or in a combination of states.

▪ An exposure may be acute (single occurence) or chronic (long-term, re-occuring) and may have health effects that are immediate or delayed.

▪ Threats/harmful effects of HazMat include:  thermal, mechanical, poisonous, corrosive, asphyxiation, radiation, and etiological.

▪ Living microorganisms  that cause diseases, such as hepatitis and tuberculosis, are etiological agents.

▪ Mechanical exposures from direct contact or fragments can result in blisters, bruises, and lacerations.

▪ Thermal effects (related to temperature extremes) can cause heat stress, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat rash, heat stroke, and frostbite.

▪ Cold exposure from cryogenic substances such as refrigerated liquids and liquified gases can cause serious tissue damage.

▪ The core temperature of an individual is the deep temperature of the body, not the skin/extremity temperature.

|Heat Exposure Facts |

|CONDITION |SIGNS/SYMPTOMS |CAUSES |

|Heat Stroke |NO perspiration, SHALLOW breathing, RAPID pulse, Headache, Weakness, |Occurs after heat exhaustion stage, true emergency |

| |Temp 105oF or higher, Hot/Dry/Red skin, Confusion, Convulsion, Loss | |

| |of Consciousness | |

|Heat Cramps |Muscle Cramps, HEAVY perspiration, Physical weakness, MOIST skin |Occurs after heavy exertion and exposure to high |

| | |temperatures as a result of excessive salt loss |

|Heat Exhaustion |MILDLY elevated temperature, WEAK pulse, Dizziness, PROFUSE sweating,|Occurs with prolonged physical work in a hot |

| |Cool/Moist/Pale skin |environment, Causes a mild form of traumatic shock |

| | |due to body not being able to release excessive heat |

|Heat Rash |Intolerance to heat, mainly an annoyance |Occurs when continuous heat/humid air contacts skin. |

▪ Carbonated drinks should be avoided to replenish body fluids.

▪ Balanced diets usually provide enough salts to prevent cramping.

▪ Long cotton undergarments provide natural body ventilation.

▪ Mobile showers/misting facilities can be used to reduce body temperature and cool protective clothing.

▪ Alcohol, coffee, and caffeinated drinks contribute to dehydration and heat stress.

▪ Liquid oxygen (LOX), nitrogen, helium, hydrogen, and liquid natural gas (LNG) are examples of cryogenic materials.

▪ Cryogens can freeze materials, including human tissue, instantly.

▪ Fluorine is an example of a cryogen that is also a corrosive, oxidizer, and poison hazard.

▪ Cryogenic/liquified gases vaporize quickly when released from their containers.

▪ Frost Nip/Incipient Frostbite consists of whitening or blanching of skin.

▪ Superficial frostbite consists of waxy or white skin, outer layers of skin firm to touch, and underlying layers of tissue being flexible.

▪ Deep frostbite consists of cold, pale, skin that is solid to touch.

▪ Systemic hypothermia consists of shivering, sleepiness, apathy, listlessness, core temperature ................
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