Written By: Hamid Arabzadeh, CIH and Robert E. Sheriff, MS, CIH, SCP, President
November 6, 2018
Exposure Assessment – Industrial Hygiene IH Monitoring Plan
- Scope based on Impact Assessment
- Identify Risks to Measure
- Select Substances and Routes of Exposure of Concern
- Select Monitoring Methods for all identified risks
- Develop Logistics Plan for locations as needed
-Equipment
-Competent Personnel
-Sampling Media
-Safety for IH sampling personnel
- Identify laboratory and chain-of-custody procedures
- Establish reporting methodology to stakeholders
-Fire Departments
-Other Public Sector
-Private Sector and Public
-What data will be available when, for which stakeholders
- Identify gaps
-Methods
-Logistics
-Reporting methodology
- Develop continuous improvement model for gaps
Sampling Methods
Chemicals of Concern
- PAHs.
- PCBs.
- HCN
- CO.
- Unusual combustion products
-Flame retardants, pesticides, unknown chemicals in buildings, sheds.
- Commercial properties
-Hazmat lists provided to local fire services.
Media of Concern
- Air samples.
- Water samples.
- Bulk Samples, ash, soot, char, unknowns.
Analytical Methods
- Accurate
- Validated
- Repeatable
- Reliable in the field
Presentation Concepts
- Understanding the Impacts of Wildfires on
-Public at large
-Residents
-Emergency Services and Firefighters
-Remediation workers
- Exposure Assessment – IH Monitoring Plan
- Sampling Methods-Portable, Direct Reading, Remote sensing
- Analytical Methods
-Valid/Accurate
-Repeatable/Precise
-Reliable
-Suitable for extreme, remote environments
- Remediation Protocol
-Cost effective
-Safe for workers
- Site Safety Plan
Impacts of Wildfire
Public
- During the emergency, evacuation and safe shelter.
- Post-emergency, returning to residence exposures.
Residents
- During evacuation.
- Returning to homes and businesses.
- Recovery and Business Continuity.
Emergency Services and Firefighters
- Safety during emergency.
- Exposures during emergency: heat, air, safety hazards.
- Exposures after fire.
Remediation Workers
- Exposures to residues: solids, air and liquid.
- Safety hazards.
Site Specific Health and Safety Plan (HASP)
- Scope Coordinated with Operations Chief.
- Identify Personnel on Scene and Operations Plan Tasks.
- Identify Substances and Routes of Exposure of Concern.
- Select Immediate Monitoring Methods for all identified risks based on immediate technical resources and safety needs.
- Develop Logistics Plan based on immediate resources and needs.
-Monitoring Equipment
-Competent Personnel
-Sampling Media
-Safety for IH sampling personnel
Site IH Safety Plan
- Identify Personal Protective Equipment needs based on hazard assessment.
- Air, supplied air, other air purifying equipment.
- Head, hands, feet, eyes.
- Heat Stress Protection Plan.
- Identify teams for entry into hot zones.
- Develop exit and hazmat decontamination plans.
- Develop rescue plans.
- Identify gaps.
-Methods
-Logistics
-Reporting methodology
- Develop continuous improvement model for gaps.
Summary
- Wildfires present significant hazards based on chemical exposure to multiple populations and through multiple media.
- The chemistry of wildfire hazards is not a mature science and there are gaps being filled right now.
- Chemical hazards extend beyond immediate concerns of firefighters to the public and remediation workers.
- Industrial Hygiene Science for Recognition, Analysis and Control will be a significant factor in the future success in preventing wildfire chemical and related risks from causing significant injury to all stakeholders.
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