TEMS Chemical Emergency Response Training

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TEMS Chemical Emergency Response Training

• For Members of Tulane Emergency Medical Services
  (TEMS)
• August 2007

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Objectives

• To learn how chemicals can enter the body and the
  types of effects they may have
• To learn some of the chemical classifications and
  where different types of chemicals can be found
  on Tulanes Uptown campus
• To learn the proper response for a TEMS member
  when encountering a chemical incident
• To understand the role of Tulanes Office of
  Environmental Health Safety in emergency
  response incidents

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Information About Chemicals

• Information about a chemical can be found on the
  label and the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
• The OEHS website www.som.tulane.edu/oehs has a
  link where MSDSs can be obtained, or call OEHS at
  988-5486
• Most laboratory doors at Tulane have signs
  showing types of chemicals within the lab and
  emergency contact information

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Chemical Routes of Entry

• Inhalation
• Ingestion
• Skin Contact/Absorption
• Injection

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Types of Effects

• Acute effect characterized by sudden and severe
  exposure and rapid absorption of the substance.
  Adverse health effects are often reversible.
  (Example carbon monoxide poisoning)
• Chronic effect characterized by prolonged or
  repeated exposures of a duration measured in
  days, months, or years. Symptoms may not be
  immediately apparent. Health effects are often
  irreversible. (Example mercury poisoning)

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Types of Effects

• Local effect an adverse health effect that
  takes place at the point or area of contact.
  Absorption does not necessarily occur. (Example
  strong acid)
• Systemic effect an adverse health effect that
  takes place at a location distant from the bodys
  initial point of contact and presupposes
  absorption has taken place. (Example benzene
  affects bone marrow)

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Types of Effects

• Cumulative poisons characterized by materials
  that tend to build up in the body as a result of
  numerous chronic exposures. Effects are not seen
  until a critical body burden is reached.
  (Example heavy metals)

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Types of Effects

• Synergistic effect When two or more hazardous
  materials are present at the same time, the
  resulting effect can be greater than the effect
  predicted based on the additive effect of the
  individual substances. (Example smoking and
  asbestos)

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Other Factors Affecting Exposure

• Rate of entry, chemical dose
• Age, lifestyle, state of health, and genetic
  disposition of individual exposed
• Previous exposures (can lead to tolerance or
  increased sensitivity)
• Environmental factors temperature and pressure

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Chemical Classifications/Possible Locations
(Uptown Campus TU)

• Carcinogens Chemicals which can cause or are
  suspected of causing cancer
• Examples Benzene, Chloroform, Formaldehyde,
  Carbon Tetrachloride, Dichloromethane
• Possible Locations Stern Hall, Israel (ESB)
  Building, Boggs Building
• Cancer is a chronic effect it takes a long time
  to develop.

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Chemical Classifications/Possible Locations
(Uptown Campus TU)

• Compressed Gases Gases which are stored in a
  container (cylinder, lecture bottle) under
  pressure
• Examples Argon, Nitrogen, Chlorine, Carbon
  Dioxide, Oxygen, Acetylene
• Possible Locations Stern Hall, Israel (ESB)
  Building, Boggs Building, Art, Facilities
  Services
• Exhaust Ventilation is needed when using
  compressed gases to prevent asphyxiation.
• Cylinders must be chained and have protective
  caps in place. If valve is damaged, cylinder can
  act as a missile.

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Chemical Classifications/Possible Locations
(Uptown Campus TU)

• Corrosives Chemicals which can cause
  irreversible alterations/chemical burns to human
  tissue (Acids/Caustics)
• Examples Sulfuric Acid, Nitric Acid,
  Hydrofluoric Acid, Ammonia Gas, Hydrochloric Acid
• Possible Locations Stern Hall, Israel (ESB)
  Building, Boggs Building, Art, Facilities
  Services, (formerly also found in Dinwiddie and
  Mechanical Engineering areas)
• Hydrofluoric Acid - will attack glass use
  benzalkonium chloride solution or calcium
  gluconate gel for first aid treatment.
• For other acids or caustics, get victim to
  emergency shower or eyewash and wash for at least
  15 minutes.

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Chemical Classifications/Possible Locations
(Uptown Campus TU)

• Cryogenic Liquids/Gases Liquefied gases used at
  very low temperatures (below -200C)
• Examples Liquid Nitrogen, Liquid Oxygen
• Possible Locations Stern Hall, Israel (ESB)
  Building, Boggs Building
• Heavy gloves, face shield, and eye protection are
  needed when handling cryogenic liquids/gases

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Chemical Classifications/Possible Locations
(Uptown Campus TU)

• Explosives Chemicals which can release
  pressure, gas, and heat when subjected to shock,
  pressure, or high temperature
• Examples Nitroglycerin, TNT, Picric Acid,
  Sodium Azide
• Possible Locations Stern Hall, Israel (ESB)
  Building, Boggs Building

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Chemical Classifications/Possible Locations
(Uptown Campus TU)

• Flammables Chemicals which can ignite easily
  and burn rapidly, either spontaneously
  (pyrophoric) or from exposure to a
  high-temperature environment (autoignition), or a
  spark or open flame
• Examples Solvents, Ether, Hexane, Mineral
  Spirits, Diesel Fuel, Gasoline
• Possible Locations Stern Hall, Israel (ESB)
  Building, Boggs Building, Art, Facilities
  Services
• Fire triangle Ignition source oxygen fuel

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Chemical Classifications/Possible Locations
(Uptown Campus TU)

• Flammable Gases Gases which can form flammable
  mixtures with air
• Examples Hydrogen, Acetylene
• Possible Locations Stern Hall, Boggs Building,
  Art, Facilities Services
• Flammable gases are extremely dangerous fire
  hazards and require precisely regulated storage
  conditions.

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Chemical Classifications/Possible Locations
(Uptown Campus TU)

• Irritants Chemicals which can cause reversible
  inflammatory reactions (watery eyes, itchy skin)
• Examples Formaldehyde, Ammonia, Hydrogen
  Sulfide
• Possible Locations Stern Hall, Israel (ESB)
  Building, Boggs Building, Chemical Engineering
• Some irritants have distinctive odors.
• Get exposed person to fresh air.

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Chemical Classifications/Possible Locations
(Uptown Campus TU)

• Oxidizers Chemicals which promote combustion
• Examples Oxygen, Perchloric Acid, Nitric Acid
• Possible Locations Stern Hall, Israel (ESB)
  Building, Boggs Building, Art, (formerly also
  found in Dinwiddie)
• Keep oxidizers away from flammables.

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Chemical Classifications/Possible Locations
(Uptown Campus TU)

• Sensitizers Chemicals which can cause allergic
  reactions in normal tissue after repeated
  exposure to the chemical
• Examples Chromium compounds, Nickel compounds,
  Toluene Diisocyanate
• Possible Locations Stern Hall, Israel (ESB)
  Building, Boggs Building, Art
• Not everyone reacts to chemicals in the same way.
• Reaction may be as mild as a rash or as serious
  as anaphylactic shock.

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Chemical Classifications/Possible Locations
(Uptown Campus TU)

• Toxic The ability of a chemical to produce a
  health effect or injury once it reaches a
  susceptible site in or on the body
• Examples Lead and its salts, Arsenic, Dimethyl
  Mercury, Silica Dust, Cyanides, Hydrogen Bromide
• Possible Locations Stern Hall, Israel (ESB)
  Building, Boggs Building, Art
• All chemicals will exhibit a toxic effect if
  given a large enough dose.

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Chemical Classifications/Possible Locations
(Uptown Campus TU)

• Water Reactives Chemicals that react with water
• Examples Sodium metal, Potassium
• Possible Locations Stern Hall, Israel (ESB)
  Building
• Combustible metals need special type fire
  extinguishers (Class D).

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Chemicals May Have More Than One Property

• Example Acetic Acid flammable and corrosive
  Possible locations Stern Hall, Israel (ESB)
  Building, Boggs
• Example Pyridine flammable and toxic (bad
  odor) Possible locations Stern Hall, Israel
  (ESB) Building
• Example Nitric Acid oxidizer and corrosive
  Possible locations Stern Hall, Israel (ESB)
  Building, Boggs Building, Art

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Response to a Major Chemical Incident

• Role of Supervisor
• Role of Tulane Dept. of Public Safety
• Role of TEMS
• Role of OEHS

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Summary

• There are many types of chemicals at this
  university.
• The potential effect a chemical can have on a
  body depends on many factors. Not everyone
  reacts the same to chemical exposures.
• The dose and route of entry of a chemical affects
  the bodys response.
• Many chemicals have more than one property.
• Information about chemicals can be found on the
  label and the MSDS.
• Chemical effects are not always additive.

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Summary

• Emergency response to a chemical incident is a
  team effort. The supervisor, Public Safety,
  TEMS, and OEHS each have a distinctive role.
• Never rush in when chemicals are involved.
• Seek and follow advice from OEHS 988-5486.

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Tulane UniversityOffice of Environmental Health
Safety (OEHS) http//www.som.tulane.edu/oehs
Pam Fatland - Manager, Chemical SafetyBruce
McClue Hazardous Waste Supervisor(504)
988-2800 or [phone]pfatlan_at_tulane.edu or
bmcclue_at_tulane.edu If unable to proceed to
quiz, type the link below into your
browserhttps//aurora.tcs.tulane.edu/ehs/enterssn
.cfm?testnum34
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