Note that several hazardous materials have antidotes, but that in most cases meticulous supportive care is most important.
The victims are usually employees of fixed facilities.
Decontamination is the mainstay of treatment, but must include protection for hospital employees.
Every employee designated to wear a respirator must be fit-tested and medically cleared.
|
Levels of Personal Protective Equipment |
|
|---|---|
|
Level |
Description |
|
A |
Fully self contained suit with self contained breathing apparatus, chemically resistant gloves, and chemically resistant boots. |
|
B |
Postive pressure full face respirator, chemical resistant gloves and boots. |
|
C |
An air filtering respirator |
|
D |
Chemically resistant clothing without a respirator |
The use of chemically resistant suit, gloves, boots, and a respirator is a standard level of protection for most physical and chemical hazards.
Water is the best method of decontamination in all but a few cases:
Metallic sodium
Potassium
Lithium
Cesium
Rubidium
Note that there is US legal regulation under the CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability act) protecting from litigation due to release of a hazardous substance while rendering care to exposed victims.