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What do the vertical bars on the radioactive labels indicate?
Level of external radiation.
I: smallest level of radiation
II: will have transport box
III: highest level of radiation. Label has a transport box and requires a placard during vehicle transportation.
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What does the activity indicate on a radioactivity label?
Rate of disintegration or decay.
Listed in Bq, Ci, or SI units.
Not amount of contents, but the radioactivity.
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What does the transport index indicate on a radioactivity label?
Indicates degree of control exercised by the carrier. TI ranges from 1-10 based on maximum radiation level in mrem/hr at 1 m from package.
It can be used to determine if a package has been breached. So if the label reads 2.5 (mrem / hr) and you measure 15, then the package has been breached.
For radioactive levels 2 and 3.
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What does the radioactive white I label indicate?
The label is attached to packages with extremely low levels of radiation.
Maximum contact radiation level: 0.5 mrem / hour.
No transport index.
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What does the radioactive yellow II label indicate?
The label is attached to packages with external contact radiation levels ranging from greater than 0.5 mrem / hour – 50 mrem / hour.
Has a box transport index (max allowed is 1).
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What does the radioactive yellow III label indicate?
It is attached to packages with external radiation levels of 50 mrem / hour – 200 mrem / hour.
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What does the empty sign indicate for radioactive packaging?
Radioactive Material Labels
Applied to packages that have been emptied of their contents but still contain regulated amount of internal radiation.
Radiation levels of less than 0.5 mrem / hour detectable outside of package.
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What does a fissile label indicate?
Applied to fissile material.
Critical Safety Index is noted on each package label. The critical safety index assists shippers in controlling how many fissile packages can be grouped together on a conveyance.
Fissile label will appear adjacent to Radioactive White I, Radioactive Yellow II, and Radioactive Yellow III labels.
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What do you do when there is radioactive container damage?
Use TI to determine if integrity of package has been breached.
Take smear or wipe samples on ground surrounding the package.
The wipe samples can be surveyed in areas of low background radiation to determine if contamination released from package.
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What are the advantages and disadvantages to accessing hazardous material databases?
A – To identify and interpret hazards response information from multiple sources
D – Same data bases are public, others are trademarked
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What can CAMEO do for a first responder?
CAMEO can be used to access, store, and evaluate information critical to developing emergency plans.
Also helps support regulatory compliances.
It is a tool developed by EPS’a Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Response and Restoration (NOAA).
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What applications does CAMEO offer in managing data, air dispersion model, and mapping capability?
Offers chemical response data sheets and reactivity prediction tools with two primary data sheet: chemical data sheet and UN / NA data sheets.
MARPLOT: Mapping Applications for response, planning and local operations
ALOHA: an atmospheric dispersion model for evaluating release of chemical vapors.
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What is the Chemical Hazard Response Information System (CHRIS)?
A program that consists of a handbook or manual and a hazard assessment computer system (HACS).
CHRIS contains useful information for initial response to aquatic incidents involving hazardous material.
It addresses properties, isolation, reactivity, and hazard classification of around 1200 chemicals and discusses evacuation procedures and personal safety.
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What is the Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS)?
Offers toxicity data of more than 150 000 substances. Include mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, reproductive hazards, and acute chronic toxicity of hazardous substances.
(Based on scientific literature)
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The Registry of Toxic Effects contains six types of toxicity data. What are they?
Primary irritation
Mutagenic effects
Reproductive effects
Tumorigenic effects
Acute toxicity
Other multiple dose toxicity
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What does the Oil and Hazardous Materials Technical Assistance Data System (OHM-TADS) do?
Designed for rapid retrieval of information on more than 850 oil and hazardous substances.
Includes variety of data on physical, chemical, biological, toxicological, and commercial data that requires some technical background.
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What are the advantages and disadvantages to using maps and diagrams?
A – Gives someone a fair representation of the area
D – Not always up to date
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What are the advantages and disadvantages to monitoring equipment?
A – Provides responders with critical information on hazards present at a hazardous material incident site.
D – You can’t rely on one single piece of equipment.
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What are the advantages and disadvantages to reference manuals?
A – There are many reference manuals available to responders produced by various agencies
D – Slightly different viewpoints and depths
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What are the advantages and disadvantages to technical information centers?
A – They are readily available. Provides valuable information, and places like CHEMTREC can activate emergency response aid networks composed of more than 250 emergency response teams.
D – May provide conflicting information.
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What are advantages and disadvantages to technical information specialists?
A – Experience and education (they got their degree to work in the job they have)
D – May be difficult to contact (no one has all the answers)
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What is the heat transfer process that occurs as a result of a cryogenic liquid spill?
This is the process of rapid vaporization which is a release of a cryogenic liquid above -130o F.
Since cryogenic liquids are kept bellow -130o F, they will rapidly vaporize when exposed to air.
Expansion ratio: 560 to 1445 to 1. For this, the higher the expansion ratio, the more gas produced, the larger the danger area.
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Define Hepatotoxins. What are the signs and symptoms, plus examples?
Chemicals that produce liver damage.
Signs and Symptoms: jaundice and liver enlargement
Chemicals: Carbon tetrachloride, Nitrosamines
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Define Neurotoxin. What are the signs and symptoms of neurotoxins that affect the central nervous system, plus examples?
Chemicals that produce toxic effects to the nervous system
Central Nervous System: chemicals that cause depression or stimulation on consciousness or otherwise injure the brain. Signs include drooping upper eyelids, respiratory difficulty, seizures, and unconsciousness.
Chemicals include lead, mercury, organophosphate pesticides and organic solvents
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Define Neurotoxin. What are the signs and symptoms of neurotoxins that affect the peripheral nervous system, plus examples?
Chemicals that produce toxic effects to the nervous system
Peripheral Nervous System: chemicals that damage the nerves that transmit messages to and from the brain and the rest of the body. Sign and symptoms include numbness, tingling, decreased sensation, changes in reflexes, and decreased motor strength.
Chemicals include arsenic, lead, toluene, and styrene.
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Define Nephrotoxin. What are the signs and symptoms, plus examples?
Chemicals that produce kidney damage.
Signs and Symptoms: Edema and protein urea
Chemicals: Halogenated hydrocarbons, uranium
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Define Blood Agents. What are the signs and symptoms, plus examples?
Decrease the function of hemoglobin in the blood; deprive hematopolatic body tissues of oxygen system.
Signs and Symptoms: Cyanosis; loss of consciousness
Chemicals: Carbon monoxide and benzene
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Define Pulmonary Agents. What are the signs and symptoms, plus examples?
They irritate the lungs or damage pulmonary tissue.
Signs and Symptoms: coughs, tightness of chest, shortness of breath
Chemicals: Silica, asbestos, HCl
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Define Reproductive Toxins. What are the signs and symptoms, plus examples?
Chemicals that affect reproductive capabilities, including chromosomal damage (mutations) and effects on fetuses (teratogenesis).
Signs and Symptoms: birth defects and sterility
Chemicals: lead and 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane
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Define Cutaneous Hazards. What are the signs and symptoms, plus examples?
Chemicals that affect dermal layer of the body.
Signs and Symptoms: De-fatting of the skin, rashes, and irritation
Chemicals: Ketones and chlorinated compounds
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Define Eye Hazards. What are the signs and symptoms, plus examples?
Chemicals that affect the eye or visual capacity.
Signs and Symptoms: conjunctivitis and corneal damage
Chemicals: organic solvents and acids
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What are the methods for determining the pressure in bulk packaging or facility containers?
Pressure Gauges: Attached to sample lines, gauging lines, fittings, and so on.
Temperature of Contents: Use of temperature gauges with vapor pressure / temperature conversion charts.
(But the temperature may be inaccurate or lower than actual pressure if tank continents stratify into layers)
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What are the methods for determining the lading in bulk packaging or facility containers?
Shipping Papers
Container Specification Markings (UN symbol, package identification code, etc.)
Gauging Devices (try to read only if container safely accessible)
Frost Line
These are all estimations of material lost
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What are the types of damage a pressure container could incur?
Undamaged, no product release
Damaged, no product release
Damaged, product release
Undamaged, product release
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What are the types of tank car damage?
Cracks
Scores
Gouges
Dents
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What is significant about a crack on a damaged tank car? What is it?
A crack is a narrow split or break in the containers metal. May be caused by fatigue (catastrophic failure).
A cracked pressurized container is dangerous because it is hard to determine crack depth making establishing a safe course of action, difficult.
Cracks, no matter how small, warrant off-loading container. If there is a dent, the container should not be moved.
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What is significant about a score on a damaged tank car? What is it?
A score is a reduction in the containers shell thickness, made by a relatively blunt object.
It is characterized by relocation of the container or weld metal in such a way that the metal is pushed aside along the track of contact with the blunt object.
Not critical if it is not accompanied by a dent or does not cut into heat-affected area. If it does, then situation is critical.
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What is significant about a gouges on a damaged tank car? What is it?
A gauge is a reduction in container thickness. Made by a sharp chisel like object. It is characterized by the cutting and complete removal of the container or weld metal along the track of contact
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What is significant about a dents on a damaged tank car? What is it?
A dent is a deformation of the metal container, made from the impact of a blunt object. Cracking is a possibility depending on radius of sharp material.
Pre 1966 – 10 cm or less, serious dent
Post 1966 – 5 cm or less, serious dent
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What do you do if you notice radioactive container damage?
Determine if integrity of container has been breached using available survey and monitoring equipment.
Visual Inspection (to assess package integrity)
Smear or Swipe Test (surveying surrounding ground to check for radioactive contamination)
Transport Index (determining integrity of package)
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What does the “Guide to Hazardous Chemical Reactions” provide? What is another name for it?
NFPA 491M
Contains information on parameters to determine the degree and extent of hazardous locations for liquids, gases and vapors.
Includes storage requirements, including organic peroxide classification and “diamond” ratings for 160 chemicals and data on combustibility and static electric characteristics.
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What does the “Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazard” provide? What is another name for it?
Bretherick
Includes every chemical for which documented information on reactive hazards has been found.
Text covers 5 000 elements and compounds with secondary entries. Classified by similarity in structure or reactivity, listed alphabetically.
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What does the “Hazardous Chemicals Desk Reference” provide? What is another name for it?
Lewis
Contains hazardous chemical safety profiles, synonyms, physical properties, standards and recommendations of government agencies for around 5 000 chemicals deemed important and hazardous to chemical community.
Substances choosen based on OSHA, American Conference of Governmental Industrial hygienists (ACGIH) TLV, or International Agency for Research on Cancer.
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What is the benefit of fire protection systems?
Allows for quicker application of fire extinguishing agents and to manage the incident early.
Results in reduction of hazards to nearby containers.
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What is the benefit of Monitoring and Detection Systems?
Allows for initiation of control action while an incident is still relatively small.
Early notification, limit threat to other containers.
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What is the benefit of Pressure Relief Devices?
Pressure relief devices need to be capable of operating freely in order to keep the tank from failing violently / tank rupture.
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What is the benefit of Vacuum Relief Devices?
Needs to be operable in order to keep the tank from imploding.
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What is the benefit of Product Spillage and Control (Impoundment and Diking)?
Minimizes exposure of adjoining tanks.
Slope of no less than 1% away from tank shall be provided for at least 50 ft or to the dike base (whichever is less).
Volumetric capacity of diked area no less than greatest amount of liquid that can be released from tank.
Walls of diked area of earth, steel, concrete, or liquid masonry (liquid tight).
Walls should be restricted to 6ft above interior grade.
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What is the benefit of proper Tank Spacing?
To minimize hazard to uninvolved tanks (floating roof, horizontal, fixed).
Not over 150 ft in diameter, tanks should be spaced 1/6th sum of adjacent tank diameter but no less than 3 ft.
Reduces threat to other tanks.
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What are proper Transfer Operations?
Ensure compatibility of substance in receiving container or tank vehicle, with incoming material.
Ensure proper electrical grounding and stopping techniques for the container or tank truck.
Minimize hazard to the surrounding containers, by moving the hazardous material from one tank to another.
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What is the Carbon Dioxide System?
An environementally safe gas that is colorless, odorless and nonconductive, and highly efficient at suppressing fires.
This works because CO2 reduces oxygen levels to a point where combustion can’t occur.
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What is the Halon System?
A liquefied gas extinguishing agent that extinguishes a fire by chemical interruption of the combustion reaction of fuel and oxygen.
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What is the FM 200 System?
FM 200 system extinguishes fires quickly through a combination of chemical interaction and heat removal. The system removes heat from the fire, but does not remove oxygen from the air.
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What is the FE 25 System?
Similar to FM 200 be using chemical interaction to stop fire, but it requires 25% less agent per cubic foot.
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What is aqueous film forming foam?
A concentrated aqueous solution of one or more hydrocarbon and / or fluorochemical surfactants that forms foam capable of producing a vapor suppressing, aqueous film on the surface of hydrocarbon fuels.
The foam blankets the fuel surface, smothering the fire, preventing release of flammable vapors.
The fuel is cooled by water in the foam.
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What is the water mist system?
High pressure mist technology uses water in the most efficient way, extinguishing using 3 mechanisms: cooling, inerting and radiant heat blocking.
Minimal water use results in less to clean, and less to pay for damage.
Water is safe for people, equipment and environment.
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What are product control valves?
An automatic shutoff feature when a fire or abnormal conditions are sensed.
Positive shut off valve is a manually operated shutoff valve used to control flow of propane.
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What is a back flow check valve?
The valve flows in 1 direction only and is used to allow a container to be filled while preventing product from flowing out of the container.
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What is the excess flow valve?
A valve designed to close when the liquid or vapor passing through it, exceeds a prescribed flow rate.
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What is a container primary shutoff valve (internal valve)?
A container primary shutoff valve whose seat and seat disk remain inside the container so that damaged to parts exterior to the container or mating flange does not prevent effective sealing of the valve.
Has provision for the addition of a means of remote closure.
Has automatic shutoff when flow through valve exceeds its maximum flow capacity or when pump actuation differential pressure drops to a predetermined point.
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What is the emergency shutoff valve?
A shutoff valve incorporating thermal and manual means of closing the valve. Also provides remote means of closing.
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What is the hydrostatic pressure relief valve?
A type of relief valve that is set to open and relieve pressure in a liquid hose or pipe segment between two shutoff valves when the pressure exceeds the setting of the valve.
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What is the container pressure valve?
A type of pressure relief device designed to open and then close to prevent excess internal fluid pressure in a container without releasing the entire contents of the container.
The valve is located in the vapor space of the container.
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What are the 5 Special Mounding Measures?
Insulation (limiting container temp to 800o F for at least 50 min)
Mounding (covering cylinder by at least 1 foot of earth, sand, etc.)
Burial (placing cylinder 6 in bellow ground)
Water Spray (automatic system that delivers of 0.25 gallons per minute over all tank surface)
Monitor Nozzles (operated automatically and located to wet any part of tank area subjected to fire exposure)
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Why is monitoring oxygen concentration important?
A means for evaluating effectiveness of inerting processes.
A means of protecting personnel from oxygen deficiency.
A means of determining that sufficient oxygen is present in atmosphere to ensure reliable combustible readings.
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What are the three instrument for measuring dangerous gas-air mixtures?
Combustible gas indicators
Carbon monoxide meters
Odorizing agents added to gases for purpose of detecting escaping gas
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How do pressure relief devices work?
They are set to pressure corresponding to inside of tank. They prevent excess pressurization or excess negative pressure (vacuum relief valves).
Pressure-regulating valves reduce static pressure under flow and non-flow conditions.
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What are the three types of pressure relief protection?
Fusible Plugs (melts at certain temp, found in ton containers)
Rupture disk with fusible metal backing (relieves pressure inside cylinder, protecting cylinder from over-pressurizing)
Spring-Loaded Relief Valves (when pressure exceeds relief valve setting, valve opens and discharge cylinder contents)
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What two methods can help prevent accumulation of static electricity?
Bonding (connecting two or more conductive objects by means of conductor in order to minimize potential difference between objects and ground)
Grounding (process of connecting one or more conductive objects to the earth)
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What are the four safe bonding and grounding considerations?
Selection of proper equipment
Sequence of bonding and grounding connections
Proper testing of bonding and grounding connections
Compatibility of substances involved in transfer
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What is the sequence of bonding and grounding connections?
1) Damaged vehicle
2) Ground damaged vehicle
3) Ground undamaged vehicle
4) Bond damaged vehicle to undamaged vehicle
5) Test bond / ground connections
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What are the resources for dispersion pattern and modeling?
Weather services
Computer models
Industrial facilities
Monitoring equipment
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What are the resources for dispersion pattern and modeling?
Who are the primary specialists in the field for dispersion pattern modeling?
Colleges and universities
County state and federal agencies (health department, environmental protection agencies, and US Coast Guard)
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What are the steps in determining the likely extent of the physical, safety, and health within the endangered area?
First: determine concentration
Second: determine acceptable exposure limits
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What is included in the process for determining potential outcomes within an endangered area at a hazardous materials incident?
Determining dimensions of the area
Estimating number of exposures within endangered area
Measuring or predicting concentrations in endangered area
Estimating physical, health, and safety hazard within endangered area (analyze physical, cognitive, and technical information generated)
Identify areas of potential harm
Estimate potential outcomes within endangered area
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What are the three components of an incident?
Product
Container
Environment
(With each broken down by damage, hazard, and vulnerability)
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What are the three elements of an incident?
Spill
Leak
Fire
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What are the four resources for predicting area of potential harm within an endangered area of a HazMat incident?
Computer modeling
Monitoring equipment
Technical assistance
Specialists
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