Public Health Emergency

PUBLIC HEALTHPUBLIC HEALTHThe role of Public Health in any The role of Public Health in any chemical or biological incident is of chemical or biological incident is of paramount importance. Public Health paramount importance. Public Health services provide cornerstone resources services provide cornerstone resources for early detection, diagnosis, and for early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of health concerns, and treatment of health concerns, and strategies for protection against health strategies for protection against health threats. Public Health activities occur at threats. Public Health activities occur at a local, county (regional) and state a local, county (regional) and state level level

CHEMICALSCHEMICALS

Good or Bad - The Scourge of the Good or Bad - The Scourge of the Twentieth Century +Twentieth Century +

EMERGENCY RESPONSEEMERGENCY RESPONSE

-OR--OR-

WHAT TO DO IF A POSSIBLEWHAT TO DO IF A POSSIBLECHEMICAL EXPOSURE VICTIM CHEMICAL EXPOSURE VICTIM

COMES POUNDINGCOMES POUNDINGON YOUR DOORON YOUR DOOR

SODIUM HYDROXIDE - NaOH

Sodium Hydroxide is caustic and is one of several alkaline compounds referred to as “lye”

Inhalation of Sodium hydroxide dust, mist or aerosol may cause irritation of the mucous membranes

Sodium hydroxide is odorless There is no antidote for sodium hydroxide Treatment consists of respiratory and cardiovascular

support Chemical Used In The Neutralization Of VX

SODIUM HYDROXIDE

HEALTHMaterial may cause severe injury or

death if toxic fumes are inhaled, if ingested or comes in contact with skin

Avoid any skin contactEffects of contact or inhalation may be

delayed

SODIUM HYDROXIDE (cont’d)

FIRE OR EXPLOSIONNon-combustible substance itself does

not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes.

Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas

Containers may explode when heated

SCENARIO

It was a typical August day, sun shining, hot and humid, with a light breeze blowing from the south west. A transport tanker, hauling ethanol, was headed north on U.S. 41, and in the process of making a left turn onto U.S. 136. The driver of the tanker apparently did not see the southbound truck approaching the intersection. This truck was carrying a load of sodium hydroxide. The southbound driver, realizing there was to be an impact, veered his vehicle to the right, skidding sideways into and capsizing the tank truck.

Southbound Northbound

SCENARIO (cont’d)

A valve on the tanker popped open, permitting some ethanol to escape on the ground. After the impact, the southbound truck lost some containers of sodium hydroxide. Sparks from the tanker ignited the fuel. The fire and heat from the fire created a plume while heating the sodium hydroxide.

Jct. U.S. 41 & U.S. 136

Table Top Begins

Show picture of exposed person (chemical, that is).

(Just a note to myself)

SODIUM HYDROXIDE (cont’d)

FIRST AIDIsolate victim from other patientsCover with plastic sheeting to prevent

others from exposure to chemicalObserve patient for effects of chemical

exposure♦ Redness of skin

♦ Miosis and/or Watery eyes

SODIUM HYDROXIDE

FIRST AID (Cont’d)Dim vision or Blurred vision – victim may complain or general eye pain, squinting or blinking.

♦ Runny nose

♦ Localized Sweating

♦ Gastrointestinal Symptoms

♦ Generalized weakness

SODIUM HYDROXIDE

FIRST AID (Cont’d)♦ Give artificial respiration if victim has stopped breathing. (Only if victim has not inhaled or ingested the substance)♦ Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult.♦ Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes.♦ Decontaminate♦ Keep victim warm and quiet

NOT THE END