Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 85-375-1861, International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), Los Angeles, California

Technical Report · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:6926708

Anderson, K E; Melius, J M

In response to a request from the International Association of Fire Fighters, a study was made of possible toxic exposures experienced by fire fighters from the Los Angeles Fire Department, paramedics, and police officers during a chemical warehouse fire at Research Organic, Inorganic Chemical Corporation, Sun Valley, California. Numerous flammable, corrosive, and reactive compounds were stored at the warehouse at the time of the fire. Dermatological problems with rashes lasting more than 1 day after the fire were reported by 18 fire fighters and nine police officers. Neurotoxic symptoms of fatigue, forgetfulness, irritability, headaches, and difficulty sleeping were also reported. The neurotoxic symptoms lasted from a month to over a year. The authors conclude that the symptoms experienced by those working at the fire site are associated with exposures during the fire. Recommendations arising from the fire include the establishment of a response team with comprehensive training, state of the art protective equipment, protocols for addressing medical evaluation and decontamination issues, environmental sampling capability, and coordination with other emergency disaster responders.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6926708
• Report Number(s): PB-88-224159/XAB; HETA-85-375-1861
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
552000 -- Public Health
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
CALIFORNIA
CHEMICAL INDUSTRY
EVALUATION
FEDERAL REGION IX
FIRE FIGHTING
FIRE HAZARDS
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
HAZARDS
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INDUSTRY
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
NORTH AMERICA
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
STORAGE FACILITIES
USA