Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
standards exist for safe levels of many agents.
Rabner discusses occupational limit values for
time-weighted-average exposures to various war
gasses for the general public, taken from multiple
sources [9]. Quantitative measurement is, unfor-
tunately, not a practical option for most civilian
hospitals receiving mass casualties, even when the
offending agent is identified.
Multiple methods of detecting known chem-
ical agents exist, including military M8 and M9
paper, the M256A1 ticket, and the CAM. If avail-
able, these will give reasonable assurance of the
absence of clinically relevant toxic concentrations.
Radiological survey meters can readily assess
residual radiation. Rapid biological identification
systems are being deployed but are not univer-
sally available. Most likely, early in an event, the
offending agent will be unknown. An easy to use
alternative, useful whether or not the nature of
CPC
material
GB-S
VX-S
MAL
Blister-S
PVC/
nylon/PV
10min
4min
3min
4min
Playtex-g
45min
15min
10min
10min
Tyvek
saranex
30min
50min
12min
90min
Duct tape
210min
210min
>
24h
>
24h
Butyl/
nylon/butyl
>
24h
>
24h
>
24h
>
24h
Teflon
>
100h
>
100h
>
100h
>
100h
Figure 7.7
Time to Penetration for Various Protective
Clothing [13].
7.8 Certification of Decontamination
There currently exists, no universally recognized
standard for certifying decontamination. Few
Figure 7.8
Personal effects labled and stored for proper disposition. (Photo courtesy of Cynthia Shields, MD.)
