Health Hazard Evaluation Report HETA 87-109-1950, North Riverside Fire Department, North Riverside, Illinois

摘要

An assessment was made of the toxicity of smoke clouds produced by a zinc-chloride (7646857) (ZnCl2) smoke generating device used in training exercises at the Fire Training Facility of the North Riverside Fire Department (SIC-9224), North Riverside, Illinois. Analysis indicated that the smoke contained hydrochloric-acid (7647010), zinc compounds and several chlorinated hydrocarbons. Evaluations were made during two separate training exercises. Hydrochloric-acid concentrations ranged from trace amounts to 44 mg/m3, exceeding the OSHA recommended ceiling level criteria of 7 mg/m3. Zinc-chloride concentrations ranged from 63 to 172 mg/m3; the limit was 2 mg/m3. Zinc-chloride concentrations ranged from up to 62 mg/m3. The amount of smoke generated for the exercise significantly surpassed that recommended by the manufacturer. Five and six participants in the two exercises experienced symptoms including breathing difficulty, joint pain, fever and chills, and general fatigue. These individuals were not wearing a respirator or had removed it as a part of the drill. The report concludes that the dense clouds created by the smoke generating devices should be considered hazardous to individuals without respiratory protection and recommends the use of a self contained breathing apparatus during training exercises.