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Hazmat Science Applications Provides Decontamination Proficiency Testing

Very few response teams have the time, tools, and experience necessary to ensure their decontamination procedures are maximized for dirty or contaminated protective ensembles.  The principal goal of decontamination is to protect people, yet responder decontamination training often becomes focused on how to clean garments.  Responders can become cross-contaminated throughout the entire decontamination process, and the source isn’t always obvious.  It is imperative to maintain continuity of protection, or as a friend of ours says, “... to hell with the suit; get the hell out of the suit.”  Hazmat Science Applications (HSA) provides specialized testing, evaluation, and training using techniques developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory to evaluate and improve the performance of personal protective equipment, procedures, techniques, and equipment associated with decontamination activities.  HSA staff participated in the LANL Contaminated Doffing Research Program starting in the late 1990’s and have tested military chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) protective ensembles for EOD technicians, armor/tank crews, and fixed- and rotary-wing combat air crews, including both standard-issue and prototype coveralls.  These techniques have been used with the New Mexico National Guard 64th Civil Support Team since 2003 to evaluate and improve their decontamination procedures.  That work led to development of a field method for decontamination proficiency testing, which has been used with dozens of response organizations and a field-based operational test and evaluation (OT&E) of a proposed DOD protective ensemble.  Decontamination proficiency testing (DPT) is similar to the particle inward leakage test (PILT) of section 8.5, NFPA 1994 (2007).  PILT uses fluorescent materials toentify airborne particulate penetration of ensemble openings; DPT seeks toentify decontamination procedure deficiencies using small quantities of non-toxic, fluorescent components in dry particulate, liquid, smoke/vapor, and oily/viscous forms.  HSA uses a systems approach that is consistent with provisions of the HAZWOPER standard, the guidance of DHHS Publication 85-185, and the goals of NFPA 471, 472 and 473.Military “dirty doffing” test data are ified, but the LANL and HSA work have resulted in many lessons learned, for example:
  • Excessive delivery pressure can cause decontamination solutions to penetrate non-encapsulating ensemble openings and carry contaminated fluids to skin or duty uniforms.
  • The neck, chest, crotch, and wrists are often exposed to “deconwater” when non-encapsulating level “B” is decontaminated. 
  • During decontamination, avoid contact with potentially contaminated surfaces, e.g., high-pressure SCBA hoses, zippers, flaps, etc.
  • Excessive water volumes create waste that must be collected, analyzed and/or treated.
  • Dried, water-soluble hazardous materials can be damp-wiped from suit openings; clean and recycle ensemble components after responders have been safely extricated.
  • Visible, viscous, persistent materials can be wiped or cleaned from suit openings and discarded with the suit.
  • Wipe down and remove excess “deconwater”, which can drip into or through suit openings.
Finally, every ensemble type has design features – gauntlets, zipper flaps, exhaust valve covers, creases, and exposed equipment surfaces – that can prevent effective contact between contaminants and decontamination solutions.  Take precautions to keep these from becoming exposure sources during doffing activities.  Emergency response organizations today face enormous pressures including elevated public expectations, expanded missions, and an ever-growing list of TICs, TIMs, and WMDs.  Decontamination proficiency testing provides responders an opportunity to improve critical survival skills by building on existing training and equipment. REFERENCES29CFR1910.120, Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response. (http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9765)Occupational Safety and Health Guidance Manual for Hazardous Waste Site Activities, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 85-185, October 1985.  (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/pdfs/85-115.pdf)NFPA 471, Responding to Hazardous Materials Incidents, 2002 Edition.  NFPA 471, Professional Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials Incidents, 2002 Edition.NFPA 1994, Standard on Protective Ensembles for First Responders to CBRN Terrorism Incidents, 2007 Edition.Jarboe, Theodore, “Decontamination Considerations During a Chemical Agent Mass-Casualty Incident,” DomPrep Journal, Volume II, Issue 15, December 2006Allswede, Michael, “Imperatives for the Training of Medical Staff,” DomPrep Journal, Volume II, Issue 15, December 2006About Hazmat Science ApplicationsHSA is a division of Technology Management Company, Inc. , an employee-owned, diversified technology company headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico. TMC has additional offices in Chantilly, Virginia, and 7 foreign countries and over 200 employees.  Operating divisions of TMC include HSA, Beyond 6 Sigma, The Stout Group, and International Program Support.Our Mission is to bring science and practical experience to bear on the decontamination of first-responders, military personnel, fire fighters, hospital personnel, and all others working with exposure to chemical, biological and other hazardous materials.Our Core Competency is the use of safe, fluorescing simulated contaminants; material tracking techniques; one-of-a-kind facilities; and expert personnel to provide decontamination research, test & evaluation, and training with real-time, visible evidence of success or failure.Our Value is in improvements to the health and safety of people working with hazardous materials or responding to CBRNE incidents and the success of incident management efforts --without expenditure for additional equipment or supplies -- by maximizing the effectiveness of procedures, training, and equipment. For more information on our company visit www.hazmatscience.com. For more information contact:Fred BoltonPhone: (505-471-1515Email: fbolton@hazmatscience.comDavid VolzPhone: 505-471-1515Email: dvolz@hazmatscience.com