Hazards Midterm

What is the importance of the Mongols

• one of the first well documented uses of biological warfare (14th century)

• catapulted plague infested bodies over the walls into the Black Sea port of Caffa

categories of biological agents

• bacteria

• toxins

• viruses

bacteria

single-celled organisms that multiply by cell division and can cause disease in humans, plants, or animals

viruses

simplest type of microorganisms

• lack a system for their won metabolism and depend on living cells to multiply

• will not live long outside of a host

what structure do viruses typically have

icosahedral or helical capsid structure

toxins

not alive and do not replicate or grow

• toxic chemicals produced by living organisms (animal, plant, or microbe)

• antibiotics and antivirals are not effective

biological event

• defined by certain characteristics

  • victims may show delayed signs and symptoms

  • medical teams may see spikes in emergency room visits

  • there may be unexplained deaths

  • difficult to detect with our senses at the time of contagion

what is the most effective route for dispersal of a biological agent to enter a target population through

inhalation** and ingestion

many diseases are considered contagious, toxins like ____ are not.

anthrax

Tularemia (bacteria)

• potent bioweapon because:

  • untreated cases carry a relatively high mortality rate

  • can be effectively spread via aerosolized particles

  • minimal number of infectious particles are required to cause disease

Ebola or viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) (virus)

illness associated with a few geographically restricted viruses

• characterized by fever and in severe cases, shock and hemorrhage

what are appropriate treatments for VHF patients

• supportive measures

• drug therapy when indicated

• hemodynamic monitoring

Q fever (bacteria)

• spread to humans by animals

  • most commonly sheep, goats, and cattle

• caused by inhaling dust particles contaminated by infected animals

• high risk occupations include farming, vet medicine, and animal research

• a rickettsial agent characterized by delayed onset of symptoms (10-20 days)

  • fever, headache, and pleuritic chest pain

• may be treated by antibiotics

symptoms of Q fever

• fever

• cough

• nausea

• fatigue

cholera (bacteria)

• bacterial disease causing severe diarrhea and dehydration

• usually spread in water

• not fatal if treated right away

key symptoms of cholera

• diarrhea

• dehydration with fluid loss up to 10 liters per day

smallpox (virus)

• most infectious during the first 7-10 days following the appearance of rash

• vaccinations are important protection

  • our society is no longer largely vaccinated and now at risk

• infection control and PPE should be used if a patient is suspected of having this

  • airborne precautions and isolation in a negative pressure room

what are the four common toxins thought of as potential biological agents

• botulism (botulinum)

• SEB (staphylococcal enterotoxin B)

• ricin

• mycotoxins

ricin (toxin)

• causes toxicity by inhibiting the formation of proteins in the cells of the exposed individual

• may cause severe allergic reactions

• exposure to even a small amount may be fatal

  • potentially inhaled lethal dose is only 500mcg

• derived from the castor bean and can be easily obtained and synthesized

• can kill within three days of exposure

symptoms of ricin

depend on whether a person inhales or ingests it

• inhalation: fever, chest tightness, cough and severe respiratory problems (fluid buildup in the lungs → pulmonary edema)

• ingested: intestinal bleeding and organ damage

anthrax (toxin)

• caused by spore forming bacterium

• mainly affects animals

• humans can become infected through contact with an infected animal or by inhaling spores

• symptoms depend on the route of infection

  • range from a skin ulcer with a dark scab to difficulty breathing

  • inhaled is harder to treat and can be fatal

• antibiotic treatment cures most infections

• most common clinical form is Cutaneous Anthrax

symptoms of Cutaneous Anthrax

• a group of small blisters or bumps that may itch

• swelling can occur around the sore

• a painless skin sore (ulcer) with a black center that appears after the small blisters or bumps

• most often the sore will be on the face, neck, arms, or hand

botulism (toxin)

• incubation period is dose dependent

• most common type of food poisoning

• neurotoxic protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum

• prevents the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from axon endings at the neuromuscular junction (causes flaccid paralysis)

• more toxic by weight than VX

Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) (toxin)

• type of toxin produced by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus

• common contributor to food poisoning in humans

• bacteria grow and produce toxins in unrefrigerated meats, dairy, and bakery products

• can develop in improperly refrigerated foods

• not commonly associated with starchy foods

• bl00dy diarrhea is not typically associated with this infection

  • bruh idk why it made me censor this word literally what else am i supposed to write

five classes of chemical agents

• nerve agents: disrupt nerve impulse transmissions

• blister agents (vesicants): cause serious burns to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract tissues

• blood agents: interfere with the ability of blood to transport oxygen

• choking agents: severely stress respiratory system tissues

• irritating agents: cause respiratory distress and tearing are designed to incapacitate

what to do in case of a chemical event

all victims must be decontaminated before leaving the scene

• when performing personnel decontamination, high pressure washer should NOT be used

SLUDGEM

salivation

lacrimation

urination

defecation

gastric hypermotility

emesis

miosis

nerve agents mechanism

work by binding with acetylcholinesterase allowing acetylcholine to over stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system

if exposed to a nerve agent…

a patient will be given two drugs comprising the MARK I nerve agent antidote kit: 2mg of Atropine and 600mg 2-Pam Chloride.

• A person who shows the signs and symptoms of a severe attack may be given 3 Mark 1 or Duo-Dote kits in succession

symptoms of cyanide toxicity

• anxiety

• seizures

• bitter almond-like odor

phosgene and chlorine

• have relatively little odor or irritating effects at moderately toxic air concentrations

• serious health effects may occur without warning or symptoms

VX

most lethal chemical warfare agent

4 phases of emergency management

• mitigation

• preparedness

• response

• recovery

mitigation

Reduce impact before disaster

Structural and non-structural measures

Planning happens here

preparedness

Training

Exercises

Resource management

response

Immediate life saving actions

Resource coordination

Scene management

responsible for acting to effectively contain and resolve an emergency

recovery

Restore infrastructure

Restore housing

Restore economy

Begins immediately after impact

evacuation distances

found in the GREEN section of the ERG

white section in ERG

introduction, instruction, guidance, placards

yellow section in ERG

UN/NA 4 digit number

blue section in ERG

material name

orange section in ERG

provides the 62 response guides (provide safety procedures and directions for what to do during the initial response phase of a hazardous materials incident

green section in ERG

illustrates the evacuation and protective action distance when a hazardous material is considered toxic by inhalation

• materials in the yellow and blue section that are highlighted green refer to this

“dangerous” placard or no placard

follow guide 111

terrorism

Involves an act that is dangerous to human life or potentially destructive of critical infrastructure or key resources.

• a violation of the criminal laws of the United States of America

• appears to be intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination or kidnapping.

B-NICE

Used to remember the types of hazmat emergencies

• Biological

• Nuclear

• Incendiary

• Chemical

• Explosive substances

dissemination device that will cause most people to be contaminated with biological and chemical WMD agents

spraying devices

effectiveness of an airborne release of a WMD agent is related to…

• wind speed

• presence or absence of clouds

• presence of a temperature inversion

heat stroke symptoms

• increased body temp

• hot, dry skin

Level A hazmat protection

required when the greatest potential for exposure to hazards exists, and when the greatest level of skin, respiratory, and eye protection is required.

Examples:

• positive pressure, full face-piece self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or positive pressure supplied air respirator with escape SCBA.

• totally encapsulated chemical- and vapor-protective suit.

• inner and outer chemical-resistant gloves; and

• disposable protective suit, gloves, and boots.

Level B hazmat protection

required under circumstances requiring the highest level of respiratory protection, with lesser level of skin protection. At most abandoned outdoor hazardous waste sites, ambient atmospheric vapor or gas levels have not approached sufficiently high concentrations to warrant level A protection.

Examples include:

• positive pressure, full face-piece self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or positive pressure supplied air respirator with escape SCBA.

• inner and outer chemical-resistant gloves.

• face shield.

• hooded chemical resistant clothing.

• coveralls; and

• outer chemical-resistant boots.

Level C hazmat protection

required when the concentration and type of airborne substances is known and the criteria for using air purifying respirators is met.

Example equipment includes:

• full-face air purifying respirators.

• inner and outer chemical-resistant gloves.

• hard hat.

• escape mask; and

• disposable chemical-resistant outer boots.

Level D hazmat protection

the minimum protection required. May be sufficient when no contaminants are present or work operations preclude splashes, immersion, or the potential for unexpected inhalation or contact with hazardous levels of chemicals.

Example equipment may include:

• gloves.

• coveralls.

• safety glasses.

• face shield; and

• chemical-resistant, steel-toe boots or shoes