Personal protective measures

Abstract

Collecting samples in an area potentially contaminated with CBRN agents is a challenging task. There are not only the hazardous materials to consider, but also other threats related to hostile activity or environmental hazards, such as IEDs or wild animals. These problems can also pose a significant risk to first responders and CBRN survey teams. Physically securing areas with armoured guards and antecedent activity of EOD patrol may reduce risk and allow personnel to focus on sampling mission. Nevertheless, there are unlimited scenarios for sampling which may happen during CBRN incident or terroristic attack, the common sense and general procedures constitute the base for successful missions. Depending on organizational approach or specific scenario, CBRN survey and sampling may rely on general NBC teams or specialized teams (chemical, radiological and biological). The biological agents with their intrinsic pathogenic and/or toxic properties, which include incubation period, communicability or unspecific symptoms and delayed diagnosis, are one of the greatest potential threats. Thus appropriate methods, practices and countermeasures have to be applied to reduce biological risk for first responders or sampling personnel. These include personal protective equipment, medical pre-and post-exposure prophylaxis as well as antiseptic and aseptic procedures during mission. Moreover training in special practices related with decontamination of PPE and equipment which leaving the zone, including enhanced general hygiene or even food consumption can't be neglected. All measures which have positive influence on personal safety of potentially exposed duty officers, need to be undertaken. Considering specific nature of biological warfare agents they also protect non-exposed personnel, as well as their relatives and general public health. This chapter will focus on these aspects. 2.2. Biorisk assessment Biological risk assessment and management is prerequisite action for successful biological sampling mission preparation. Even though there are unlimited numbers of CBRN scenarios, there are also defined lists of pathogens which can be used as