Engineering Research Report: Rapid Dry Field Decontamination Method for Firefighters

Details

• Personal Author:
  Alexander, Barbara M. ; Dahm, Matthew M.
• Corporate Authors:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Division of Applied Research and Technology
• Description:
  This report describes the development of a prototype system for use by firefighters at a fire scene, the rapid dry firefighter field decontamination system (RDFFDS). Some diseases occurring at higher rates in firefighters than in the general population, including cardiovascular disease and certain cancers, may result from firefighters' exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace. The new RDFFDS utilizes air jets to remove particulate contamination from firefighter turnout gear and equipment. Multiple studies have shown that, during fire response, firefighter gear becomes contaminated with hazardous substances including heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Many of these substances may be adsorbed onto particulate matter and carried back to firehouses, as shown by analysis of vacuum cleaner dust collected in California fire stations. Field decontamination before entering vehicles may reduce the amount of contamination brought back to the fire station and reduce continuing personnel exposures when the gear is re-worn. Results of laboratory testing of prototype decontamination methods identified several methods capable of removing 70-80% or more of a test soil from cloth swatches. One prototype method field tested during firefighter training activities required only about 1 minute for decontamination of firefighter turnout coat and pants. Further field testing is necessary to confirm the acceptance and effectiveness of this technology.
• Subjects:
  Cardiovascular Diseases Cardiovascular System Dust Environmental Exposure Firefighters Fires Hazardous Substances Hydrocarbons Neoplasms Occupational Health Particulate Matter Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Volatile Organic Compounds

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• Keywords:
  Cancer Cardiovascular Disease Control Technology Decontamination Dust Particles Engineering Control Exposure Exposure Levels Fire Fighters Fire Fighting Equipment Fire Protection Equipment Hazardous Materials Health Hazards Metallic Compounds Particulates Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Risk Factors Vacuum Equipment VOCs Volatile Organic Compounds

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• Series:
  Engineering and Physical Hazards Survey Reports
• DOI:
  https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHEPHB37411a
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Field Study
• Place as Subject:
  United States
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DART - Division of Applied Research and Technology ; DSHEFS - Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies ; EPHB - Engineering and Physical Hazards Branch
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-37
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20050487
• NTIS Accession Number:
  PB2018-100177
• Citation:
  Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, EPHB 374-11a, 2017 Sep ; :1-37
• CAS Registry Number:
  Hydrogen cyanide (CAS RN 74-90-8)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2017
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• NAICS and SIC Codes:
  922160 - Fire Protection - (NAICS)
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:66767b5b886a6bfe48e950fc5380f49c5d9ea07643c9759ef493cbaad08b40ec32a244f4f392a14f85f1664f944daa0b5fcc0d9704da2c4759ac21564b33fd19
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/175030/cdc_175030_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 3.60 MB ]