hood for a clean one every time they exit the IDLH. Replacement hoods should be readily available on scene. 1 After Gross Decon and before eating or drinking, a personal hand washing station, including hand soap and towels, will be set up. In lieu of soap and water, utilize disposable wipes for hands, face and neck. Personnel should wash their hands before Rehab, at the end of suppression activities including overhaul and before returning to the living quarters. The hand wash station or wipes should be available at the entry point to Rehab. 1 When released from the incident, fire fighters need to bag their contaminated turnouts in large, encapsulating leak-proof bags for transport back to the station. Wearing contaminated turnouts back to the fire station will transfer contaminants to apparatus seats, resulting in exposure to the next member who sits there due to cross-contamination. 1 To protect hands from dermal absorption of contaminants while packaging turnouts, wear a minimum of EMS latex or nitrile gloves. Personnel must shower upon returning to quarters, or as soon as practical. Keep a reserve set of turnouts at assigned stations. Clean contaminated turnouts, including hood, gloves, boots and helmets in accordance with NFPA 1851; or send them out to designated station or an ISP for cleaning. 1 When cleaning contaminated equipment, always wear appropriate PPE (gloves, splash gown and N95 if equipment is dry and particles could become airborne) to protect against exposures from contaminated equipment (WAC 296.62). INCIDENT REHABILITATION (REHAB) Provide rehabilitation and medical monitoring to establish the mental and physical condition of personnel participating in tactical operations and training at the scene. Carcinogens can be absorbed, inhaled and ingested on a fire scene. Proper decontamination and rehabilitation procedures reduce exposures to carcinogens during these critical times. 1 Rehab must be located in a place that allows enough space and protection from adverse environmental conditions including fire, smoke, exhaust, extreme heat and cold. An ideal location would be out of direct sight of the working incident, with room for separate areas to remove PPE, a rest and evaluation area, a treatment area and access to a restroom when possible. 1 3 Contaminant Note Acetaldehyde IARC Group 2B carcinogens Acrolein IARC Group 3 carcinogens Aniline IARC Group 3 carcinogens Antimony compounds Toxicity similar to arsenic poisoning Arsenic IARC Group 1 Carcinogens, endocrine disruptor Benzene IARC Group 1 Carcinogens Beryllium compounds IARC Group 1 Carcinogens 1,3-Butadiene IARC Group 2A carcinogens Cadmium IARC Group 1 Carcinogens, endocrine disruptor Dibutyl phthalate Endocrine disruptor 1,8-dinitropyrene Sufficient evidence in experimental animals Dioxins and dibenzofurans Are suspected human carcinogens Formaldehyde IARC Group 1 Carcinogens Mercury compounds IARC Group 3 carcinogens Naphthalene IARC Group 2B carcinogens Nickel IARC Group 2B carcinogens 3-Nitrobenzanthrone One of the strongest carcinogens known Benzo(e)pyrene IARC group 3 carcinogens Benzo(a)pyrene IARC Group 1 carcinogen Styrene IARC Group 2B carcinogens Toluene IARC Group 3 carcinogens Xylene isomers and mixtures: o-ylenes, m-xylenes, p-xylenes IARC Group 3 carcinogens INTERNATIONAL AGENCY FOR RESEARCH ON CANCER (IARC) CONTAMINANTS & CLASSIFICATIONS LEFT: RTI conducted a fluorescent aerosol test that found aerosol particles can penetrate a firefighter’s hood and deposit on the skin.  There were very heavy aerosol deposits on the neck, cheeks, ears, and hair due to penetration through the hood. The dark bands below the ears were relatively clean areas that were covered by the mask straps. Test conducted by: RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC sponsored by the International Association of Fire Fighters.