HAZMAT Operations, Top Exam Questions and answers, 100% Accurate.

HAZMAT Operations, Top Exam Questions and answers, 100% Accurate. Absorption (Routes of entry) The process by which the hazardous materials travel through body tissues until they reach the bloodstream. Acid A material with a pH value less than 7. Acute health affects A health problem caused by relatively short exposure periods to a harmful substance that produces observable conditions such as eye irritation, coughing, dizziness, and skin burns. Alpha Particle A positively charged particle emitted by certain radioactive materials, identical to the nucleus of a helium atom. (NFPA 801) Can be stopped by fabric NFPA 801 Standard for Fire Protection for Facilities Handling Radioactive Materials. Asphyxiant A materials that causes the victim to suffocate. Base A material with a pH value greater than 7 Beta Particle An elementary particle, emitted from a nucleus during radioactive decay, with a signle electrical charge and a mass equal to 1/1837 that of a proton (NFPA 801). Can be stopped by fabric & door. Blister Agent A chemical that causes the skin to blister. Blood agent A chemical that, when absorbed by the body, interferes with the transfer of oxygen from the blood to the cells. Boiling point The temperature at which a liquid eventually turns to a gas. Carcinogen A cancer-causing substance Chemical change The ability of a chemical to undergo an alteration in its chemical makeup, usually accompanied by a release of some fort of energy. Chlorine A yellowish gas that is about 2.5 heavier than air and slightly water-soluble. Chlorine has many industrial uses but also damages the lungs when inhaled; thus, a choking agent. Choking agent A chemical designed to inhibit breathing and typically intended to incapacitate rather than kill. Chronic health hazard a health problem occurring after a long-term exposure of a substance. Contamination The process of transferring a hazardous material from its source to people, animals, the environment, or equipment, all of which can act as carriers for the material. Convulsant A chemical capable of causing convulsions or seizures when absorbed by the body. Corrosivity The ability of a material to cause damage (on contact) to skin, eyes, or other parts on the body. Expansion Ratio the ratio of the volume increase that occurs when a liquid material changes to a gas. Exposure The process by which people, animals, the environment, and equipment are subjected to or come in contact with a hazardous material. Fire Point The lowest temperature at which a liquid will ignite and achieve sustained burning when exposed to an ignition source. (NFPA 704) Flammable Range The range of concentrations between the LFL and UFL. (NFPA 68)` Flammable Vapor A concentration of constituent in air that exceeds 10% of its LFL (NFPA 115). Flash point The minimum temperature at which a liquid fuel gives off sufficient vapor that, when an ignition source is present, will result in a flash fire. Gamma Rays a type of radiation that can travel significant distances, penetrating most materials and passing through the body. The most destructive type of radiation to the human body. Hazard Capable of causing harm. Ignition (autoignition) temperature The minimum temperature at which a fuel, when heated, will ignite in air and continue to burn. Ingestion Exposure to a hazardous material by swallowing it. Inhalation Exposure to a hazardous material by breathing it into the lungs. Injection Exposure to a hazardous material by entering cuts or other breaches in the skin. Ionizing radiation Radiation of sufficient energy to alter the atomic structure of materials or cells with which it interacts, including electromagnetic radiation such as X-rays, alpha particle, beta particles, gamma rays, and microwaves. Irritant A substance such as mace that can be dispersed to incapacitate a person or groups of people briefly. LFL Lower Flammability Limit; the minimum amount of vapor needed to cause ignition. Nerve Agent A toxic substance that attacks the central nervous system in humans. Neutron A penetrating particle found in the nucleus of the atom that is removed through nuclear fusion or fission. Exposures to neutrons can create radiation. pH Potential for hydrogen; a measure of the acidity or basic nature of a material; an expression of the concentration of hydrogen ions in the substance. Physical Change a transformation in which a material changes its state of matter - for instance from a liquid to a solid. Radiation The emission and propagation of energy through matter or space by means of electromagnetic disturbances that display both wave-like and particle-like behavior. (NFPA 801) Radioactive Isotope An atom that has unequal numbers of protons and neutrons in the nucleus that emits radioactivity. Radioactivity The spontaneous decay or disintegration of an unstable atomic nucleus accompanied by the emission of radiation. (NFPA 801) Sarin A nerve agent that when dispersed sends droplets in the air that when inhaled, harm intended victims. Secondary Contamination The process by which a contaminant is carried out of the hot zone and contaminates people, animals, the environment, and equipment. Sensitizer A chemical that causes a large portion of people or animals to develop an allergic reaction after repeated exposure to the substance. Specific Gravity The weight of a liquid and the weight of water, where water is assigned an index value of 1. State of matter The physical state of a material - solid, liquid, or gas. Toxic product of combustion A hazardous chemical compound that is released when a material decomposes under heat. TRACEMP An acronym to help remember the effect of WMDs; Thermal, Radiation, Asphyxiant, Chemical, Etiologic, Mechanical, Psychogenic. UFL Upper flammability limit; The amount of flammable vapor needed to keep a fire burning. Vapor The gas phase of a substance, particularly of those that are normally liquids or solids at ordinary temperatures. Vapor Density The pressure, measured in pounds per square inch, exerted by a liquid. SLUDGEM Mnemonic to remember the common signs and symptoms of nerve agent exposure. Salavation, Lachrymation, Urination, Defecation, Gastric disturbance, Emesis, Miosis. WMDs Weapons of mass destruction; any destructive device, such as any explosive, incendiary, or poison gas bomb, grenade, or rocket. The first step in understanding the hazard posed by a substance Identifying its state of matter. 3 aspects to consider when evaluating the fire potential of a chemical 1. Flash point 2. Ignition temperature 3. Flammable range Strong acid and strong base pH values lower than 2.5 (strong acid) and higher than 12.5 (strong base). The health hazards posed by radiation are a function of 2 factors: 1. The amount of radiation absorbed 2. The amount of exposure time What are the 4 routes of entry Absorption, injection, ingestion, inhalation. Difference between Isotope and Ion Isotope - differ in # of protons and neutrons Ion - differ in # of protons and electrons What does cyanide prevent Prevents the body from using oxygen Bulk storage containers. Greater limit for Liquids, solids, and gases Large-volume containers that have an internal volume greater than 119 gallons for liquid, greater than 882 pounds of solids and gases. Carboys Glass, plastic, or steel containers, ranging in volume from 5-15 gallons CHEMTREC Chemical Transportation Emergency Center; a national call center for basic chemical information, established by the Chemical Manufacturers Association and now operated by the American Chemical Council. Consist A list of every car on a train (conductor will have this) Container Any vessel or receptacle that holds material, including storage vessels, pipelines, and packaging Cryogenic Liquids (Cryogens) Gaseous substances that have been chilled to the point at which they liquefy. Department of Transportation (DOT) Marking System A unique system of labels and placards that, in combination with the ERG, offers guidance for first responders operating at a HAZMAT incident Dewar Container Containers designed to preserve the temperature of the cold liquids held inside Drums Barrel-like containers built to DOT Specification 5P Dry Bulk Cargo Tanks Tanks designed to carry dry bulk goods such as powders, pellets, fertilizers, or grain; they are generally V-shaped with rounded sides that funnel toward the bottom Freight Bills Shipping papers for roads and highways Hazardous material A substance that, when released