Biological agents exposure

Local risk assessment may suggest that the use of PPE is appropriate in order to control the risk of biological agent exposure. Masks and skin protection may be considered and must be suitable for the task being carried out and provide a sufficient level of protection. 

Evaluations of occupational exposure to physical agents such as noise, radiation or heat, biological agents, and multiple chemical agents are similar to the process for single chemical substances but have some key differences. 

Hazardous Agent Exposures (Chemical, Physical or Biological)... 

Effects of indoor air pollutants on humans are essentially the same as those described in Chapter 7. However, there can be some additional pollutant exposures in the indoor environment that are not common in the ambient setting. From the listing in Table 23-1, radon exposures indoors present a radiation hazard for the development of lung cancer. Environmental tobacco smoke has been found to cause lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. Biological agents such as molds and other toxins may be a more likely exposure hazard indoors than outside. 

Infections from contact with or exposure to bloodborne pathogens or other biological agents in contaminated soil, waste, dust, bird and animal droppings or transmitted by insect bites or stings... 

Reference period A specified time period allowed for human exposure to a specific concentration of a biological agent or chemical. 

Other elements of weather and outdoor exposure can interact with UV radiation to accelerate degradation in degradable types of plastics. They include humidity, salt spray, wind, industrial pollutants, and atmospheric impurities such as ozone, biological agents, and temperature. The wavelengths that have the most effect on plastics range from 290 to 400 nm (2,900 to 4,000 A). 

Eventually first responder personnel on scene will have to answer the basic question Do you have an attack or not Unlike exposure to chemical agents, exposure to biological agents does not require immediate removal of victims clothing and gross decontamination. With biological agents, inhalation is the most common route of entry to a victim s contamination. 

European Economic Community (EEC). (1992). Council Directive 92/32/EC of 27 November, 1980, on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to chemical, physical, and biological agents at work. Official Journal of the European Communities No. L327, 8. 

---