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Like OSHA and EPA chemical safety trainings, DOT training helps hazmat employees to recognize and identify hazardous materials and learn how their functions ensure that those materials can be transported safely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on the decontamination family of systems (DFoS) approach, a decontaminant systems provided by the U.S. Department of Defense Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical Biological Defense (JPEO-CBD). It states that DFoS is designed to supply U.S. forces with the capability to sustain operations in a contaminated environment. It also stresses that the DFoS will emphasize selected countermeasure technologies like decontaminants and applicator systems.

The article discusses the readiness of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to conduct decontamination operations for mass casualty scenario of a bioterrorism. It notes that the DOD has the capability to provide decontamination in support of civilian authorities. With its capability, the DOD requires an understanding of the circumstances of the doctrinal differences between battlefield removal operations and defense support to civilian authorities (DSCA).

The article discusses the investment of hospitals on equipment to ease safe operations and communication during a crisis involving airborne infections or nuclear/biological/chemical (NBC) contaminants in the U.S. The hospital staff experience unclear communication when personnel wear powered air-purifying respirator suits. At present, hospitals use portable decontamination tents for the treatment of victims of NBC types of events.

The article focuses on the guidelines to follow in decontamination procedures in times of emergencies in location or facilities area. The need for written decontamination procedures are required under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response regulations. Decon is an important part of a hazardous material emergency response that no one is permitted to enter the hazardous area until a decon operation is set up and functional.

Problem/Condition: Acute chemical incidents (i.e., uncontrolled or illegal release or threatened release of hazardous substances lasting <72 hours) represent a substantial threat to the environment, public health and safety, and community well-being. Providing a timely and appropriate public health response can prevent or reduce the impact of these incidents. Reporting Period: 1999-2008. Description of System: The Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance (HSEES) system was operated by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) during January 1991-September 2009 to describe the public health consequences of chemical releases and to develop activities aimed at reducing the harm. This report summarizes types, frequency, and trends in public health actions taken in response to hazardous substance incidents in the nine states (Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin) that participated in HSEES during its last 10 full years of data collection (1999-2008). Results: Of the 57,975 HSEES incidents that occurred during 1999-2008, a total of 15,203 (26.2%) incidents resulted in at least one public health action taken to protect public health. Evacuations were ordered in 4,281 (7.4%) HSEES incidents, shelter in place was ordered in 509 (0.9%) incidents, and access to the affected area was restricted in 10,345 (25.9%) incidents. Decontamination occurred in 2,171 (3.7%) incidents; 13,461 persons were decontaminated, including 1,152 injured persons. Actions to protect public health (e.g., environmental sampling or issuance of health advisories) were taken in 6,693 (11.5%) incidents. The highest number of evacuations and orders to shelter in place occurred in Washington (n = 558 [16.1%] and n = 121 [3.2%], respectively). Carbon monoxide and ammonia releases resulted in the highest percentage of orders to evacuate and shelter in place. The most frequently reported responders to chemical incidents were company response teams. Interpretation: The most frequent public health response was restricting access to the area (26% of incidents), public health actions (12%), evacuation (7%), decontamination (4%), and shelter-in-place (1%). Ammonia and carbon monoxide were associated with adverse health effects in the population and the most public health response actions. Therefore, these chemicals can be considered a high priority for prevention and response efforts. Public Health Implications: States and communities can collaborate with facilities to use the information collected through community right-to-know legislation and this report to improve chemical safety and protect public health and the environment, such as being prepared to handle the most common chemicals in their area and probable public health actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on new methods of radiological decontamination in preparation for the potential use of a dirty bomb in the U.S. It's a lot easier to make a mess than to clean one up. Suppose the mess is radioactive? Suppose it was created by terrorists wielding a dirty bomb, an explosive laced with a radioactive substance such as uranium or cesium? In the past few years, several U.S. government agencies have quietly focused a small research effort on developing new technologies for countering the radioactive fallout from what's officially known as a radiological dispersal device, or RDD. An assortment of prototype radiation-binding and -ridding gels, foams, films, and emulsions is now emerging from government, university, and industrial labs. The purpose of those materials is to restore a contaminated zone with unprecedented speed, economy, and gentleness.

Reports that the U.S. war against terrorism has raised the issue of decontamination of electronics systems subjected to chemical or biological attacks. Effects of decontamination on electronics of military systems; Search for decontamination materials that will not corrode or interfere with electronics and exotic materials used in military electronics systems; Features of the Joint Service Sensitive Equipment Decontamination program of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Describes how soldiers from the 472nd Chemical Batallion of the U.S. Army were trained to respond to an extensive ambulatory and non-ambulatory patient decontamination during a nuclear, biological or chemical attack. Processes that an injured soldier has to undergo during decontamination; Equipments used during the training.

The article offers information on the contamination of perfluoroalkyl compounds to wildlife and humans. It states that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and chemical firms have worked together in phasing out the use of perfluorooctanoic acid. It adds that perfluorooctanoic acid will be replaced by shorter perfluoroalkyl chain compounds, which contain similar functional properties with more tolerable toxicity profile that is being tested for confirmation.

Describes decontamination training for firefighters in the United States. Planned and systematic process of reducing contamination to a level that is as low as reasonably achievable; Emergency decontamination; Establishment of the Domestic Preparedness Equipment Technical Assistance Program for emergency responders; Guidelines/recommendations that will help ensure firefighters are appropriately protected during the decontamination process.

Focuses on the management of victims in a mass decontamination or chemical weapons of mass destruction incident in the U.S. Need to decontaminate victims prior to transportation to stop further injury; Elimination of the spread of lethal agents; Limitation in the availability on hazardous material response teams.

Focuses on approaches in anthrax decontamination in the United States. Challenges in developing detection methods, drug treatments and vaccines, mail sterilization, and decontamination of buildings; Utilization of chemical and irradiation methods; Enumeration of common sterilization methods.

Reports on whether it is safe for workers to return to the Hart Senate Office Building after the anthrax-decontamination project undertaken by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Symptoms being experienced by staff in their offices; Description on the role of the EPA in the anthrax cleanup; Statement issued by Bruce Milhans, spokesman for the Architect of the Capitol.

Reports the development of decontamination formulation from the National Nuclear Security Administration of Sandia National Laboratories in the United States. Applicability of the decon foam in the contamination of anthrax; Licensing agreement of the company with Modec Inc. to commercialize the product; Contents of the mixture.

Focuses on the warning issued by scientists to United States (U.S.) lawmakers regarding the treatment of an office building for contamination by anthrax. Review of the anthrax incident which took place in October 2001; Proposals issued by lawmakers regarding the contamination; Action and recommendations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The article reports on the 32 million dollars order received by DRS Technologies Inc. from Natick Contracting Divsion for Joint Service Transportable Decontamination Systems (JSTDS-SS) in the U.S. The said JSTDS-SS is noted to be used in combatting off-road military operations over any terrain. According to president Roger Sexauer of DRS Power and Environmental Systems, the JSTDS-SS responds to the threats from chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) warfare agents.

Reports the cleaning of the Bridgeport Superfund site in New Jersey. Collection of used industrial oils and solvents for safe disposal; Excavation of lagoon; Amounts of tons of hazardous waste being burned.

Reports on a federal guidelines that will be developed through the joint efforts of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other industry associations which addresses wastewater that have been contaminated by anthrax as of July 2002. Aim of the guidelines; Recommended discharge process for the wastewater used in anthrax decontamination efforts; Details of the decontamination efforts at the Hart Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C.

Reports that the Washington D.C.-based Hart Building office of U.S. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., was reopened on April 3, 2002 after anthrax cleanup. Other sign that U.S. congressional routine is returning to normal.

Features the dry-decontamination device by Los Alamos National Laboratory. Ionization between helium and oxygen in the device; Goal of the Los Alamos group; Impact of the ionization on charge particles.

Discusses efforts to clean up areas which have been exposed to anthrax in the United States. View that the cleanup of the Hart Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C. may be difficult due to its size; Use of Sandia foam, a decontaminant which oxidizes and destroys the outer shell of the anthrax spores; View of anthrax expert Bradley Perkins that eradicating every last trace of anthrax from a contaminated building may be impossible.

Looks at the steam cleaning technology for cleaning waste sites developed by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, California. Application in decontaminating waste sites.

The article cites ideas related to war as suggested by U.S. citizens active in civilian defense. It includes using motorboats as a medium of communication, creation of a gas decontamination squad that will use laundry vats and use of power lines to transmit radio messages during air raids.

Examines the impact of the proposed budget for fiscal 2005 that would cut off funds for the Environmental Protection Agency's homeland security-related building decontamination research in the United States. Agency's tasks in homeland security research; Drinking water system research; Reason for the budget cut.

Presents ways of responding to chemical incident during the occurrence of fire in the U.S. Details on the five-step incident management process; Identification of contaminants in the fire scene; Implementation of emergency decontamination of the fire victims.

Reports the federal government's focus on sediment decontamination technology which benefit waterways in the United States. Contracts awarded for sediment processing; Applicability for cleaning contaminated harbors; Basic methods for dredging sediments.

Discusses how communications solutions re-invented a former uranium site at Oak Ridge, Tennessee. History of the East Tennessee Technology Park (ETTP); Benefits offered to companies involved in re-industrialization; Incentives offered by the Department of Energy to companies willing to clean up a contaminated area of Oak Ridge.

The article presents a discussion of the importance of distributing chemical warfare (CW) and toxin decontamination equipment to first responders, because of the attack done in the U.S. territory. The Reactive Skin Decontamination Lotion (RSDL), a patented, broad-spectrum skin decontamination product, is used to neutralize and remove several CW agents including tabun, sarin and cyclohexyl.

The article presents the findings of a series of laboratory tests conducted by W. L. Gore & Associates Inc. on leather and rubber boot materials to determine residual levels of chemical contamination after completing decontamination procedures. The tests are designed to address firefighter concerns on the possible toxic and dangerous chemicals remaining in gear after decontamination. It provides an overview of the testing protocol similar to the methodology used in a study by the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).