Big Disasters Produce Big Hazards Causing Both Primary & Secondary Exposure

I’m consistently asked the difference between direct and indirect exposure to hazardous materials. Direct exposure also known as a primary exposure, takes place initially when a disaster strikes. An indirect or secondary exposure usually takes place after the released hazardous materials settle down and are kicked back up during clean-up. This can also take place when those materials are left undealt with and they are rereleased through time, common activities and wind currents.

A secondary exposure can also take place when someone carrying hazardous materials on their clothes exposes others to that same material when they are released and carried from the primary source of exposure. This was and still can be a common occurrence with unsafe work practices by people working around asbestos, lead-based paint and other hazards then transporting those dangerous fibers and dust into the home of unsuspecting loved ones. It also occurs when people working around disaster sites accidentally attract and attach hazards onto themselves and then unwittingly transport them elsewhere.

Exposure from hazardous materials can come from several sources. Some are easy to control and others are impossible.

The impossible ones to control are usually primary exposure that happens during and directly after a disaster, such as from wildfires, tornados, earthquakes, hurricanes, typhoons, tropical storms, rising rivers, tsunamis, bombings and terrorist attacks.

One of the largest direct and indirect exposures ever was on Sept. 11, 2001 from a terrorist attack in New York City on the World Trade Center - Twin Towers. This caused an immediate release of hazardous materials that exposed anyone it reached. The tragedy continued with a secondary exposure during the rescue and clean-up efforts that produced reaching negative health effects that impacted many.

Most exposure comes from the inhalation from toxic, hazardous material particulates (dust) that is breathed in when those hazards become airborne. This is known as particulate pollution.

This particulate pollution can adversely impact the heart, lungs and other internal organs potentially causing serious health concerns. Exposure from a disaster creating negative health effects has become so common that certain ones have picked up their own names as with “Tornado cough”

The situations that are controllable are usually after a disaster and there is time to allow the contaminants to settle down and be contained and controlled.

Other controllable situations with hazardous materials are when they are properly removed with safe work practice from buildings under strict regulations. Such as with common building materials like asbestos, lead-based paint and PCB’s.

Most secondary exposure from harmful emissions can be prevented by controlling and containing the hazards with some simple wet down procedures. Wetting the hazardous material with straight water works while the water is wet Although once the water evaporates the offending material can be again released. If instead the same material is soaked with GEI’s (GLOBAL Encasement, Inc.) MPE (Multi Purpose Encapsulant) as it dries out and the MPE cures it will continue to hold the material in place preventing it from becoming airborne or attaching to clothes.

This worldwide proven method of dust and hazardous material control with MPE is designed to minimize the potential impacts to people and communities.