The invisible toxic dangers to firefighters during overhaul
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Authors
Pinto, Daniel
Tropf, William
Issue Date
2013
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
Homeland security , Safety engineering
Alternative Title
Abstract
Due to health hazards associated with hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, there is a need for greater risk reduction to firefighter exposure to these toxic twins during fire overhaul procedures. Researchers measure air quality levels of hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide contaminants collected from residential structure fires occurring in 2013 and 2014 in the City of Parma, Ohio as well as from a series of controlled burns as performed by the Parma Fire Department. Data analysis showed hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide air samples to be at potentially fatal levels for up to 30 minutes after fires had been extinguished.