Hazardous Materials Chapter 49 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is a hazardous material?

Any substance that poses an unreasonable risk to health, safety, or the environment (correct)

A substance that poses no risk

All materials transported in commerce

Only liquids that can evaporate

What does awareness of hazardous materials entail?

Understanding risks, recognizing hazardous substances, and knowing the role of responders.

What is the role of operations-level personnel in hazardous materials incidents?

To protect people, property, and the environment.

What is the definition of a hazardous materials technician?

Personnel who may directly respond in a contaminated atmosphere. Signup and view all the answers

You should suspect hazardous materials if multiple people are unconscious.

True Signup and view all the answers

You can enter a contaminated scene without clearance from the hazardous materials team.

False Signup and view all the answers

Which DOT Class includes explosives?

DOT Class 1 Signup and view all the answers

What color placard indicates fire hazards?

Red Signup and view all the answers

Match DOT Classes with their definitions:

DOT Class 1 = Explosives DOT Class 2 = Gases DOT Class 3 = Flammable liquids DOT Class 4 = Flammable solids Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of primary contamination?

Direct exposure of a patient to hazardous material. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of flash point?

It indicates the temperature at which a liquid can produce sufficient vapor to ignite. Signup and view all the answers

What are the four common decontamination methods?

Dilution, absorption, neutralization, disposal Signup and view all the answers

All chemical shipments must be marked with placards.

False Signup and view all the answers

What does water-reactive mean?

Substances that react chemically when mixed with water. Signup and view all the answers

What precautions should be taken for patients exposed to corrosives?

Ensure a patent airway, oxygenate the patient, and treat burns appropriately. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of an asphyxiant?

A gas that displaces oxygen from the atmosphere Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Hazardous Materials Overview

Hazardous materials pose unreasonable risks to health, safety, or the environment when improperly handled.
Recognition of hazardous materials includes observing victim symptoms and identifying labels, placards, and warning signs.

Awareness and First Responders

First responders must understand hazardous substances, possible incident outcomes, and necessary notifications to communication centers.
Identification of hazardous materials may require additional resources and notification protocols.

Operational Levels

Operations-level personnel protect people and the environment from hazardous incidents, engaging defensively and avoiding direct contact.
Technician-level responders actively manage contamination scenarios, utilizing special equipment and performing patient care during rescues.

Incident Zones

Hot Zone: Contaminated area restricted to responders with proper training and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Warm Zone: Surrounds the hot zone; entry requires trained specialists wearing appropriate PPE.
Cold Zone: Safe area for paramedics to perform triage and patient care, away from hazards.

Hazard Classification

DOT Class 1: Explosives
DOT Class 2: Gases
DOT Class 3: Flammable liquids
DOT Class 4: Flammable solids and spontaneously combustible materials
DOT Class 5: Oxidizing substances
DOT Class 6: Toxic and infectious substances
DOT Class 7: Radioactive materials
DOT Class 8: Corrosive substances
DOT Class 9: Miscellaneous hazardous materials

Identification and Marking

Placards: Diamond-shaped signs identifying hazard classes on transport vehicles.
Labels: Smaller indicators detailing specific hazards on individual packages.

Decontamination Strategies

Four common decontamination methods: dilution, absorption, neutralization, and disposal.
Dilution is the easiest method, using large amounts of water to wash contaminants.
Absorption utilizes materials to soak up hazardous substances but may not effectively remove all contamination.
Neutralization involves chemical reactions to mitigate hazardous materials but can pose risks during application.

Patient Treatment Considerations

Care should be minimized for contaminated patients to avoid secondary exposure during invasive procedures.
Corrosives can cause severe burns and require supportive treatment including airway management and pain control.
Solvents can lead to immediate pulmonary symptoms and necessitate extensive decontamination due to potential severe effects.

Chemical Exposure Responses

Pesticide poisoning induces symptoms detailed in the acronym DUMBELS and requires aggressive decontamination and airway protection.
Asphyxiants like cyanide displace oxygen and require specific treatment protocols, including the administration of nitrites.

Toxic Products and Monitoring

Combustion by-products vary based on burning materials and include toxic gases like carbon monoxide and formaldehyde.
Patients arriving post-decontamination may still require protection from secondary contamination; PPE should be worn as needed.
Medical monitoring should document hazardous materials involved, their effects, PPE details, and decontamination methods used.

Recovery and Reassessment

The hazardous materials team should undergo evaluation in the cold zone for hydration and symptom monitoring before reentering the hot zone for further operations.

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Description

Test your knowledge on hazardous materials with these flashcards from Chapter 49. Each card provides key definitions and concepts related to hazardous materials and their risks, helping you better understand their impact on health and safety.