Open AccessThe use of Personal Protective Equipment in Hazmat Incidents
Author(s) -
Yeung RSD,
Chan JTS,
Lee LLY,
Chan YL
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
hong kong journal of emergency medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.145
H-Index - 12
eISSN - 2309-5407
pISSN - 1024-9079
DOI - 10.1177/102490790200900312
Subject(s) - personal protective equipment , hazardous waste , harm , medicine , clothing , risk analysis (engineering) , medical emergency , occupational exposure , forensic engineering , environmental health , waste management , engineering , covid-19 , pathology , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , archaeology , political science , law , history
Medical personnel are at risk when handling victims of Hazmat incidents. Special clothing and respiratory equipment are required to protect them from absorbing these toxic materials through inhalation or through dermal contact. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) refer to both clothing and equipment used to shield or isolate individuals from chemical, physical and biological hazards that may be encountered at a hazardous materials incident. 1,2 No single type of PPE can protect all hazards and incorrect use can cause harm to the wearer. In general, the greater the protection, the greater the associated risks. 2 Therefore, the level of PPE selected should be the one that can provide adequate level of protection.