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Disaster Advice Glossary
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Disaster recovery and restoration can be veiled in mystery to the many who have not undertaken specific training. This glossary explains technical terms to assist both report writing and the understanding of those technical terms so often misunderstood.
Definition
| Adverse Health effects: |
The ability of a compound or agent to cause acute or chronic health effects. See Acute, Aeroallergens, Allergens, Chronic, Toxic, Toxins, Neurotoxins |
| Agent: |
1) The person insurers use to represent and sell them an insurance policy. 2) The sworn or licensed person assigned by a governmental authority to act on the agency's behalf. 3) The person acting on behalf of a building owner or principal. |
| Agent: |
Ingredients which cause chemical activity or reactions to take place, such as with spotters and cleaning agents. |
| Antimicrobial: |
A chemical agent responsible for reducing and controlling unwanted microscopic growth. Education Note: Antimicrobial chemicals are not always disinfectants, yet disinfectants are considered to be the microbial of choice in their ability to kill and reduce microorganism growth in building floods. The improperuse of antimicrobial disinfectants may cause health impairments to employees and building occupants. See Antiseptics, Disinfectants |
| Artifactual Influences: |
An adjective that best describes some compounds, materials and agents, or a process that is made by humans or influenced by human activity. |
| Beavioural Effect: |
The effect of chemicals, gases, microorganisms and pollutants to act together in a common atmosphere from within the building. The behavior of certain elements from within the building may change when temperature and humidity change, during remodelling or restoration, or when other agents are introduced in a building. See Biodiversity, Ecosystem. |
| Bio-Availability: |
A measure of the fraction of the chemical or biological agents of concern in an environment that are present at any one time. |
| Biohazard Control: |
Any number of administrative methods, engineering controls, procedures, equipment and manpower, necessary to control or minimize the exposure of a biohazardous agent or material. |
| Biological Catalyst: |
A substance or material that increases the rate of chemical and biological reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical or biological change. Education Note: In flooded buildings, bacteria, yeasts and fungi can be described as having biochemical reactions (biological markers) having homogeneous catalyst reactions, if the building's effected environment is left alone after a biological occurrence. Detergents and disinfectants (oxides) acting as neutralizing reactions, can be stated as having heterogeneous catalyst reactions. With heterogeneous reactions, the catalyst of detergents and some disinfectants provide the pathway by which the catalyst reaction can proceed, where the biological activation of the pollutant energy becomes lower. Proper use of detergents and disinfectants increase the rate at which the biological reaction of harmful bacteria, yeasts and fungi come to equilibrium, although it does not alter the position of the equilibrium of the building's resident microflora, except may be for a short period of time after cleaning and disinfection. In certain circumstances, very small quantities of a detergent cleaning and disinfectant agent can speed up biochemical reactions to a pollutant. Most catalysts are also highly specific in the type of reaction they catalyze, particularly chemical disinfectants such as aldehydes, iodophors, oxidizers, phenols, and enzymes in biochemical reactions. Generally, the term is used for a substance that increases reaction of the biological marker rate producing ( a positive catalyst). Some cleaning and disinfectant reactions can be slowed down by (negative catalyst) acting as a sanitizer or inhibitor of growth. |
| Biological Pathway: |
The exposure route from an identified source of a biological agent to building occupants. |
| Biologically Derived Airborne Contaminates: |
Bioaerosols, gases, and vapours that living organisms produce. Biologically derived materials are natural components of indoor and outdoor environments, but under certain circumstances, biologically derived agents may be considered contaminates when found indoors. |
| Bioremediation: |
The careful and safe removal of harmful microbiological agents. Education and Mitigation Note: a) In sewage damage backflows effecting buildings, bioremediation is the careful and safe removal of all sewage and bacteria under controlled conditions which are associated with sewage effluents. This includes all coliform bacteria, and porous building materials and contents saturated with sewage. If the building materials and contents cannot be cleaned and disinfected to an acceptable level of cleanliness, then the building materials and contents require replacement with new materials. b) In fungi contamination, bioremediation is the careful and safe removal of all contaminated building materials and contents under controlled conditions which are associated with the fungi contamination. c) In ventilation system cleaning and sanitizing, bioremediation is the careful and safe removal of all dusts and debris in the HVAC supply air ducts followed by sanitizing, removal of all contaminated insulation, cleaning and sanitizing of the previously insulated surfaces, cleaning and sanitizing of coils, condensers, drain pans, plenum, mixing boxes and all return air ducts. d) In areas containing water or sewage saturated ground of a soil floor basement or crawl space substructure, bioremediation is the containment and control of all standing water or sewage, providing negative air out of the substructure where contaminated air does not effect the building's interior air space, and appropriate remediation measures in removing potentially harmful pathogens from the air and controlling pathogens in soil. Bioremediation of contaminated ground under a substructure is a complicated issue where each problem must be based on the conditions presented in each case. |
| Characterisation of a Biohazardous Substance: |
Any organism, product, material, or biological agent, that present a risk to humans. Health Note: A biological material that threatens humans and their living and work environment. Illness and diseases which are known to be acquired through animal and human secretions or their by-products. |
| Characterizsation of a Hazardous Substance: |
Any chemical or agent that poses a threat to human health or the environment, if released minor or in significant amounts, depending on the chemical or agent. |
| Citrus Cleaning: |
A solvent derived from the oils of citrus fruits. It is effective in cleaning virtually any oil-base soil or staining agent from a wide variety of surfaces. Education Note: Citric cleaning is reported to be safe for use on most fabrics, vinyls, woods, carpeting, and metal. Advantages of citric cleaning besides cleaning efficiency, the residue of the citric chemical leaves a pleasant fragrance of oranges, lemons and limes. The cleaning process using citrus-base chemicals appears to be ideal in most cleanup situations involving fire and smoke residue. Liability Note: Caution should be given when using citric-based cleaning and deodorizing chemicals, since some persons may have a olfactory reaction to the residual fragrance of the citrus. It may be important to get the permission of the occupants as to the residual odor (fragrance) before use of any citrus-base cleaner is applied. See Limonene |
| Client's Right to Know: |
Legal Note: In certain instances where flooding involves carcinogens, pathogens, aeroallergens, toxins and other harmful agents; electrical and gas hazards; to slip and fall; the water damage contractor, as a person who has knowledge has a legal responsibility to disclose pertinent information to the client and unsuspecting persons who may enter a building or zone of contamination from building impairments may result in public health exposures. |
| Commercial Sewage: |
Industry created sewage that is locally and state regulated. They are allowed to carry certain chemicals and agents after filtering and neutralization. Mitigation Note: Commercial sewage is connected and is part of the same sewer system as residential sewers. Backup of residential toilets near industry which are down line, can complicate the Category-3 sewage contamination clean-up. Chemicals and other hazards may exist. See Domestic Sewage, Hospital Sewage, Industrial Sewage |
| Contact Time: |
The amount of 'dwell time' necessary for a cleaning agent, a disinfectant or a sanitizer requires to have while maintaining maximum working efficiency, before it is removed. |
| Containment Process: |
A method or process by which contaminates, agents and pollutants are controlled, managed, regulated, or are made inactive, non-viable or friable. |
| Containment Unit, Cleaning and Decontamination: |
Referring to fungi mitigation and remediation (abatement), a containment-unit are typically the critical barrier and equipment used during the removal of fungi contamination process. Cleaning and decontamination of the containment-unit refers to the appropriate methods necessary for the collection of all migrant and settled spores and other contaminates on and in the containment-unit. Education Note: A containment-unit may include a second critical barrier containment-unit, other than the primary critical barrier containment-unit, which consists of a temporary built plastic room or plastic sealing off another room, which then becomes plastic-sealed off from the primary contamination area. The secondary containment-unit maintains its own 'separate' air pressure from the main contamination zone or area. The secondary containment-unit is a staging area, where fungal contaminated building materials, already plastic bagged, are stored, and are waiting removal from the building. The secondary containment-unit is the main entry and access between the outside and the main contamination zone or area, as well as the exit and egress to the building. Mitigation Note: Both the primary and secondary containment-units cleaning and decontamination, requires a combination of surface HEPA vacuuming, followed by surface cleaning, using damp wiping (with a minimum of water), to remove settled and migrant dusts and spores before safely dismantling the containment-unit(s). The remediation practitioners must carefully consider the necessity and advisability of applying biocides, such as bleach, when cleaning and sanitizing the containment-unit. The goal of the remediation program must be to remove all microbial growth that was part of the project, and this includes the contamination migrant in the containment-unit. Caution Note: The consulting industrial hygienist associated with the remediation project must consider the efficacy of all antimicrobial agents and their contact time and removal. Health and Safety Note: Neither the primary remediation and abatement containment-unit or the secondary support entry and egress containment-unit, can be used for employee rest and removal of PPE. Only exiting from both of the containment-units and after decontamination, can removal of PPE be considered appropriate. See Critical Barrier during Fungal Abatement, Full-scale Fungi Decontamination-Unit. |
| Cumulative Risk and Exposure: |
Cumulative risk and exposure refers to the combined pathogenic, toxic and carcinogenic risks from all exposure pathways for all chemicals, toxics and biological agents. See Direct Exposure Pathways. |
| Damp-mopping: |
A procedure using a moistened cotton mop over a relatively clean surface, to remove loose dusts and dirt off of a floor surface. Education Note: Damp mopping is used in between cleanings, for the control of dusts and dirt, since this procedure helps control surface tracking of migrant materials while reducing time and money spent on more intensive maintenance procedures. Damp mopping is a process that is often used right before a floor finish is applied. Damp mopping is also a procedure where small spills can be absorbed into a cotton mop having a neutral detergent, allowing for the easy pickup of the spill, and applying a non-residual cleaning agent. |
| Defoamer: |
A chemical agent that is added to a liquid to reduce foaming problems. In carpet cleaning foaming becomes a problem when too much detergent or soap-base products are present. |
| Deoderants: |
Deodorants that are used in buildings after a flood are suppose to remove or destroy musty-like odours and other odours. Hygienists find that deodorants leave occupants with impression that odour problems have been abated, which, in most instances they have not. Deodorants are to be used sparingly, and must not be used as a masking agent, producing a false positive sense of clean air. See Masking Agents. |
| Detergent: |
A water soluble compound capable of suspending dirt and other organics. Detergents can emulsify oils and act as a wetting agent. Caution: detergents with phosphates have been banned in many parts of the nation, because they are one source of pollution which cause environmental hazards to lakes and streams. Detergents residues should not be discharged into storm drains. Education Note: Detergents act-like sanitizer, since they suspend oils, grease and organisms. Detergents need to be rinsed out and off of contaminated surfaces to work properly. Detergents work best if they are allowed to have a surface contact dwell time, are agitated into a material, and are used in warm water. Detergents work better than disinfectants while in the presence of dirt and oil, and much bacteria, such as sewage. See Eutrophication. |
| Dilution Ratio: |
The ratio of a solvent cleaning agent or a disinfectant concentrate, to be diluted down to its recommended use. |
| Dose response: |
An adverse effect on a biological agent or organism which causes a particular physical, chemical response or change. |
| EHS (Extremely Hazardous Substances): |
One of about 400 chemicals listed by the USEPA under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986. Chemicals are based on there acute toxicity. Microbiological agents, even though they can be as extremely hazardous, are not regulated under this act. |
| Encapsulant: |
A chemical or agent used to cover or bind with a contaminate, either for a short period or a long period of time. No encapsulate in the water damage or fire damage industry is a permanent fix to a problem. |
| Exposure: |
a) The contact of harmful agents between humans, animals and their environments. b) The contact with a chemical, biological or physical hazard. Health Note: Exposure in water damage remediation is the contact with a foreign substance that causes injury and illness. Nails, wood and metal splinters, tack strips, cuts, abrasions, puncture wounds, injection, inhalation and absorption are all exposure related injuries. |
| Exposure Route: |
The manner in which a chemical, toxin or biological agent comes in contact with a human, for example, inhalation, ingestion, adsorption, or other form of dermal contact. |
| Facility: |
a) Any type of physical building, interior space, structure, installation, equipment, pipe, duct, container or vehicle, which is used to store hazardous materials, or the facility contains a hazardous chemical, pollutant, product or agent. b) Any building, structure, installation, equipment, pipe or pipeline (including any pipe into a sewer or publicly owned treatment works), well, pit, pond, lagoon, impoundment, ditch, storage container, motor vehicle, rolling stock, or aircraft. c) The description of a property containing a contaminate, where a release has occurred or a building that has experienced a loss. d) Any site or area where a hazardous substance has been deposited, stored, disposed of, placed, or otherwise come to be located; but does not include any consumer product in consumer use or any water-borne vessel. |
| Flushing and Purging of Air: |
In a confined space, including in large buildings having an airborne contaminate, flushing and purging is the utilization of fans and other exhaust equipment, to remove airborne and volatile agents from surfaces, into outside air. Health and Safety Note: If the contaminates are a regulated contaminate, a carcinogen, flammable, pathogen or toxic, the flushing and purging of airborne contaminates must be done so safely, and in such a manner to not cause harm to human health downstream of the exhausted air. See Ventilating |
| germicide: |
An agent capable of killing germs. Germicide products are usually liquid but they can be a gas. |
| Hazard: |
Any physical property or chemical agent, capable of causing harm to humans, animals, environment and to building materials. |
| Hazard Identification: |
The determination of a possible adverse health effect. It is the identification of agents, their frequency, and duration of exposure which may lead to adverse health effects. Health and Safety Note: Hazard identification is the identification of all suspected conditions that may pose inhalation or skin absorption hazards that may be immediately dangerous to life or health, or other conditions resulting serious harm or death. Hazard identification shall be identified early on in the survey and evaluation phase, and it should not be found unexpectedly resulting in exposures to employees. Examples include, confined space entry, harmful atmospheres, potential explosive situations, visible vapor or fume clouds, or environments where biological indicators are present. Hazard identification means any obvious hazard or potential hazard which a qualified person deems to be a known or suspected hazard to human or environmental health. |
| Hazard Quotient: |
The ratio of the level of exposure of a chemical or other substances, including biological of concern, over a specific time period to a reference dose for that contaminate or agent of concern, derived for a similar exposure period. |
| Hazardous Material: |
a) any chemical, vapor or material which in sufficient quantities or concentration, poses a direct threat to health or property. b) Any biological agent or other disease causing agent which after release and upon exposure, ingestion, inhalation, or assimilation into a person, either directly or indirectly, which has a potential for causing or resulting in illness and disease. |
| Hazardous Substance: |
Any substance designated or listed under A. through D. below, exposure to which results or may result in adverse affects on the health or safety of employees: a) Any substance defined under Section 101(14) of CERCLA or under Sections 25316 and 25317 of the California Health and Safety Code. (Other states have similar codes); Education Note: b) Any biological agent and other disease-causing agent which after release into the environment and upon exposure, ingestion, inhalation, or assimilation into any person, either directly from the environment or indirectly by ingestion through food chains, will or may reasonably be anticipated to cause death, disease, behavioral abnormalities, cancer, genetic mutation, physiological malfunctions (including malfunctions in reproduction) or physical deformations in such persons or their offspring; c) Any substance listed by the U.S. Department of Transportation and regulated as hazardous materials under 49 CFR 172.101 and appendices; and d) Hazardous waste as herein defined. See CERCLA |
| health Effects: |
Effects from agents and chemicals which cause impairment or damage to humans. |
| Health Hazard: |
Any chemical, mixture of chemicals, or microbiological pathogens, for which there is a statistically significant evidence based on at least one study conducted in accordance with established scientific principles that acute and chronic health effects may occur in exposed employees; Health and Safety Note: The term health hazard includes chemicals which are carcinogens, toxic or highly toxic agents, reproductive toxins, irritants, corrosives, sensitizes, hepatoxins, nephrotoxins, neurotoxins, agents which act on the hematopoietic system, and agents which damage the lungs, skin, eyes, or mucous membranes; and it includes stress due to temperature extremes. |
| Heightened Awareness: |
A sense or tendency of a person after a flood or fire, to perceive that the interior environment or contents are somehow different than what they were prior to the exposure. Education Note: a) The heightened awareness by a claimant is an impression or perception about their environment after the fact, whether real or perceived, to them the smells to the indoor environment and/or contents, are a concern. Often, other persons such as contractors and adjusters, cannot smell, sense or experience the same heightened awareness as the claimant. Mostly, this is due to the fact, they have no prior memory which may help them recognize or trigger what the environment use to smelled-like. b) Some persons are sensitized, and even de-sensitized, to certain smells and odors. Each persons sensory receptors are different, and what may be an acceptable smell or odor to you, may not be acceptable for another person. c) Some contractors get themselves into trouble, because they never asked the claimant at the time of loss, if they, any of their family or employees have asthma or allergies, or are chemically sensitive. If the answer to any of your questions is yes, you may need to modify your mitigation strategy. d) Adding fragrances and masking agents to the interior environment after a flood, sewage or a fire, may trigger some persons heightened awareness sensations, which may cause the contractor to completely clean and restore the interior of a home. The court action costs the contractor's insurance company over $500-K. See Limonene, Sensory Perception |
| Insecticide: |
Any material or agent capable of killing insects and other living organisms. Insecticides usually has stable compounds to last for a long time. Insecticides must be used properly because they can be improperly used resulting in damage to the balance of nature and are harmful to humans and animals. Biocides and fungicides are types of insecticides. |
| Insurance: |
The act or policy of insuring. A policy made by an agent or broker and the person who is now called the policy holder and insured. The insured has insurance to protect them against certain or specific perils. |
| Insurance Agent: |
An insurance agent of a company or an independent agent of several insurance companies, who acts as the salesperson for the carrier. |
| Insurance Broker: |
An insurance broker who ordinarily sells and negotiates insurance coverage between a potential insured and many insurance companies. See Insurance Agent. |
| Insured's Duties After Loss: |
The responsibility of an insured, as outlined in the policy which typically includes, 1) Making any emergency repairs needed to protect the property from further damage and keep all records and repair costs. 2) Give a phone call or written notice to the insurer or the agent without unnecessary delay. 3) Make a list of all damage or destroyed personal property showing in detail the quantity, description, actual cash value and amount of loss. Attach bills, receipts and related records that support a claim. |
| Interim Remedial Action: |
The course of action taken to reduce migration of a chemical, toxin or biological agent in its solid, airborne, vapour, dissolved or liquid phase, or an action reducing the concentration of the contaminate or agent at a source area. |
| Ion: |
An electrically charged atom. An atom that has lost one or more of its electrons is left with a positive electrical charge. Those that have gained one or more extra electrons are left with a negative charge. Building materials during a fire are affected by ionization. Cleaning agents are affected by ions. And Some deodorization processes use ionization as a neutralizer. |
| Irritant: |
a) Any agent or substance which produces a sensation to the human body. b) Any agent or substance which causes a reaction, including inflammation to the eyes, skin, sensory or respiratory system. c) Any agent or substance, whether real or perceived, which can cause an adverse human response. |
| Kawasaki Disease: |
Kawasaki Disease is a disease of unknown origin that primarily affects children under the age of five (5). It is suggested, the main contributor of the disease, appears to be associated with carpet, within 30 days after carpet cleaning, where small children have skin and respiratory contact with the carpet and agents in the carpet. A Denver study suggests that carpet cleaning and associated cleaning chemicals may in part, be responsible for the illness, but other studies indicate otherwise. Yet, something in the carpet or associated with the carpet cleaning is affecting the children, says The Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Health and Safety Note: All carpets that are flooded in a home, day care or preschool, where small children play on, should be plant washed, double rinsed and thoroughly dried, preferably in sun and fresh outdoor air, before reinstallation, or the carpet should be considered for removal and replacement, if the carpet cannot be cleaned and sanitized on all sides thoroughly. Even a fresh water flood in this situation, with babies and small children normally wetting carpet, there may be sufficient bacterial growth in carpet and pad to become a health concern. |
| Lethal Dose: |
An absorbed amount of chemical, toxin or other agent, sufficient enough to cause and result in premature death. |
| Limonene: |
A chemical degreaser and cleaning agent having a lemon/lime citrus fragrance. Liability and Health and Safety Note: Limonene and D Limonene, have a citrus fragrance that appears to smell fresh once applied, and yet, for some persons who have chemical sensitivities, Limonene is known to suppress or heighten some persons senses, causing them to experience headaches, vomiting, to skin rashes. Caution Note: No Limonene product should be used as a decontamination chemical, cleaning or sanitizing cleanser, without the building owner's prior approval. See Citrus Cleaning, Heightened Awareness. |
| Masking Agents: |
Chemicals containing fragrances that are manufactured to mask offensive malodors, putrid odors, musty odors, and fire odors from being identified for what they truly are. Properly applied with binding odor neutralizers, masking agents can be a benefit in the preliminary odor neutralization phase. Health and Safety Note: Masking agents are unfortunately too widely used by non-professionals. Unsuspecting persons who have allergies and other impairments, may find that masking agents create a false negative sense of smell, that a problem does not exist, for which it actually does. See False Negative |
| Medical Surveillance Protection: |
In hazardous and potentially environments resulting in potential or known exposures, a medical surveillance protection program must be implemented as part of the HAZCOM requirements. Technician Health Note: Environments having toxics, gas, carcinogens, pathogens and agents, known to cause health, illness and disease impairments, the potentially exposed employees must have a medical surveillance program in place by the employer, before exposing employees to such hazards. Besides employees, quite possibly the environment itself, may require medical surveillance protection and monitoring. 29 CFR 1010.120, and 29 CFR 1910.1030. |
| Natural Attenuation: |
The natural attenuation (reduction) in concentration(s) of chemicals and/or biological agents in an environment. Agents which are allowed to degrade and decompose naturally as the physical, chemical and biological decay and decomposition processes proceed. Typically the term natural attenuation applies to soil remediation and occasionally it may apply to a building environment. |
| Negligible Residues: |
The amount of residues of pesticides or other agents, that are considered to be acceptable on plants, foods and buildings. Education Note: In water damaged buildings, negligible residue can mean the remaining microflora that are considered acceptable after clean-up and building material drying, prior to building occupancy. |
| Other Relevant Measurable Criteria (ORMC): |
Parameters used to define other corrective action goals for chemical, toxic or biological agents of concern. The ORMC are concentration values, other numeric values, physical condition or performance criteria. The ORMC must be determined for values, conditions, and performance criteria which will be used for the corrective action goals. |
| Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL): |
a) An employee allowable workplace exposure limit, to a chemical or biological agent. Health and Safety Note: The published permissible exposure levels in which an exposure, inhalation, or dermal permissible exposure limit, exceeds acceptable standards and levels. Employer Note: For employees in their workplace, it means concentrations of chemicals and agents that must not be exceeded during an 8-hour work shift of a 40-hour work week. There are no PEL levels for persons in non-working environments, such as in home, unless the home is the designated work facility for a maid, gardener, plumber or a contractor, for example. Also, there are no lower limit exposure levels for employees having extreme low tolerance levels to chemicals, pollutants and other agents. In California, and in other states and the federal register, The exposure, inhalation or dermal permissible exposure limit specified for California employees are in 8 CCR, Chapter 4, Subchapter 7, Groups 14 and 15; and Group 16, Articles 107, 109, and 110. |
| Permit Required Confined Space: |
Any building or soil space which has a lack of oxygen, has hazards, agents or circumstances (atmosphere, engulfment, physical) which are known or suspect of becoming a direct life and health concern to employees. Federal regulations are found in 29 CFR 1910.146. See Confined Space, Non-Permit Required Confined Space. |
| Point(s) of Exposure: |
The point at which building occupants or remediation workers come in contact with chemicals, toxins, vapours or biological agents. |
| Pollutant: |
An organism, chemical, vapor, gas, toxin or any other agent that is harmful to a building or to persons either inside or outside a building. |
| Published Exposure Levels: |
The exposure limits that are published in NIOSH Recommendations for Occupational Safety and Health Standards 1988 incorporated by reference, or if no limit is specified, the exposure limits published in the standards specified by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists in their publication Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices for 1989-90" dated 1989 incorporated by reference and more recently, 1998 TLVs and BELs Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents. |
| Qualitative Analysis: |
The analysis necessary to determine what chemicals, organisms or agents are present, irrespective of the amounts of those compounds or elements. See Grab Samples, Preliminary Sampling Survey, Representative Samples, Quantitative Analysis |
| Quantitative Analysis: |
The analysis necessary to determine the precise amounts of certain chemicals, organisms or agents that are present. See Qualitative Analysis. |
| Respirator Fit Test Tent: |
A nylon reinforced material enclosure having a window that is designed to place one person in the tent at a time. The respirator fit test tent creates a concentrated area of an irritant smoke agent for quantitative respirator fit testing. The tent has two openings, input and exhaust of an irritant smoke when using an irritant smoke. The tent is also designed for a saturated towelette, which can be clipped and hung inside the tent when using a banana oil or Iso Amyl Acetate test. The respiratory fit test tent is about 48" high and 24" in diameter and a viewing window. |
| Site Assessment: |
a) A characterization of a site through an evaluation of its physical components, associated risks and exposures. b) A site assessment is a determination if a release occurred, the levels of detectable hazardous contaminates, and the likely physical distribution of the hazardous or potentially hazardous agents, irritants or pollutants. |
| Site-Specific Target Levels (SSTL): |
Risk-based values for chemical, toxins and biological agents of concern that are protective of human health for specific exposures and exposure pathways which are developed for a particular site. |
| Source Release, Assessment and Monitoring: |
Contaminates and agents that are potentially toxic, explosive, flammable, pathogenic or carcinogenic, which must be assessed by monitoring back to their source. Mitigation Note: A source release assessment and monitoring program must include the types and amount of contamination, what are acceptable engineering controls, what needs to be done next, and how to best complete the containment, control and removal, along with methods for proper disposal. See Risk Assessment. |
| Surfactant (Surface Acting Agents): |
Agents which are used to modify or decrease surface tension of water resulting in a reduction of interfacial tension. Surfactant are useful for suspending, removing oils and organic contaminates, and they provide a cleansing action. |
| Tear Gas Exposures: |
Toxic gas exposures from police and riot-type tear gas. Health and Safety Note: Seldom will emergency response water damage technicians come in contact with tear gas. But in several instances, technicians have been asked to cleanup tear gas exposures with their cleanup equipment. No technician or adjuster should enter a tear-gas contaminated building without proper respiratory and skin protection. Health Note: 1) Tear gas can effect technicians and adjusters from ingestion, inhalation in nasal passages, and absorption on skin. 2) Seldom is tear gas considered a medical emergency or a medical concern. 3) Yet, depending on the type, concentration and severity of exposure, the health of the technician or adjuster, the health concerns may result in a immediate medical emergency. 4) Skin and respiratory reaction to airborne tear gas is almost immediate. 5) CN/CS/CR/OC tear gases residue and powders are white in color. 6) CN/CS/CR tear gas are not-stable when heated. 7) Tear gas is generally dispersed as powder-like aerosols having a chemical dispersion reactivity to an environment from their explosion. 8) Once the agents have been dispersed into a building, the agents react violently in the presence of humidity, higher temperatures, some oxidizers and a combination of factors. 9) All of the tear gas agents have low solubility in water but they can be dissolved in several organic solvents. Hydrolysis of CN tear gas for example, is very low reacting in water solution, even when alkali is added. On skin, it is best to flush continuously with cold water. CS tear gas on the other hand, is rapidly hydrolyzed in water solution , having a half-life at pH 7 is about 15 min. at room temperature (65 to 70 ?F, and 30 to 45% Rh), and react extremely rapid when alkali is added (half-life at pH 9 is about 1 min.). 10) As remediation technicians, you must be extremely careful in adding alkali substances to skin, since they can add to dermal discomfort and skin damage. Baking Soda (sodium bicarbonate) is best used as an adsorptive and cleaning agent on skin. |
| Tier-2 Evaluation: |
A risk-based analysis that involves an incremental refinement of the Tier-1 methodology to develop site-specific corrective action goals. The Tier-2 evaluation for human exposure pathways may include developing statistically representative concentrations of chemicals(s), toxins and biological agents of concern for comparison to the Tier-1 corrective action goals. By applying the direct exposure pathway corrective action goals established under Tier-1 evaluation at site-specific determination point(s) of exposure, it may be possible to develop corrective actions for direct and indirect exposures. Besides the model of Tier-1, Tier-2 evaluations may involve qualitative and quantitative analysis. The corrective action goals for complete and potentially complete exposure pathways are compared to the site conditions to determine if further correction is warranted. See Phase II. |
| Waterborne: |
a) Microorganisms, parasites, and other organisms that grow and thrive in fresh moving water. b) Microorganism, parasites and other living organisms, including anaerobic organisms, that thrive in static and stagnant water. c) Chemicals and other agents that have been identified in catastrophic flood waters. |
| Wipe Tests: |
Sampling methods used to determine the presence of biological or hazardous materials on a surface. Mitigation Note: For example, residual pesticides and PCBs from fire and water damages are two chemicals where wipe samples may be useful. Wipe tests are used to determine the presence of certain chemical and biological agents, such as lead, PCBs, mercury, nickel, cadmium, chromium, sulphur compounds, arsenic, carcinogenic amines, radionuclides, corrosives, dusts and microbes. Wipe Tests may be used as clearance and sanitary test in determining the absence of a certain material, chemical or agent. See Smear Tabs, Surface Sampling Kits, Swab Sampling, Tape-lift Sampling, Wipe Sampling. |
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