Smoke Exposure at Western Wildfires
Author | : Timothy E. Reinhardt |
Publisher | : Diane Publishing Company |
Total Pages | : 72 |
Release | : 2000 |
ISBN-10 | : 0756712173 |
ISBN-13 | : 9780756712174 |
Rating | : 4/5 (73 Downloads) |
Book excerpt: Smoke exposure measurements among firefighters at wildfires showed that between 3 & 5% of the shift-average exposures exceeded occupational exposure limits (OEL) for carbon monoxide (CM) & respiratory irritants. Among workers involved in direct attack of actively burning areas & maintaining fireline boundaries, peak exposure situations could be several times greater than recommended OEL for short-term exposures. Exposure to acrolein, benzene, formaldehyde, & respirable particulate matter could be predicted from measurements of carbon monoxide. Electrochemical dosimeters for CM were the best tool for routinely assessing smoke exposure. Tables.