Analysis of the Effectiveness of Decontamination Fluids on the Level of Biological Contamination of Firefighter Suits

Abstract

The scope of tasks of chemical and ecological rescue procedures includes prevention of terrorist attacks with biological weapons. After each action, firefighters are obliged to clean and disinfect their outfits to prevent the potential spreading of harmful microorganisms. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of decontamination fluids used to disinfect firefighter’s suits. Two types of clothes were analyzed: special combat clothing (NOMEX), and the heavy gas-tight chemical type 1a suit. Swabbed places were cut out and sterilized mechanically using detergent and alcohol. Each time, smears were made on sterile glass, fixed in pure ethanol and stained using the Gram method. After this, the staining samples were air dried and photographed under a light microscope at magnification 1000×. Each smear was made in triplicate and the relative number of stained microorganisms was analyzed using ImageJ software. The results showed that detergent significantly decreased the number of pathogens in the chest area on the NOMEX suit and the type 1a-gas-tight clothing and was more effective than alcohol, especially in case of the NOMEX suit. In conclusion, the detergent was more efficient in decontaminating the NOMEX outfit than the heavy gas-tight clothing, whose surface was better cleaned by the alcohol.

Evaluating Firefighter On-Scene Decontamination Practices Using a National Fire Records Management System

“…8 Furthermore, ethanol showed greater than 60% decontamination effectiveness on same area of firefighter suites. 8 While detergents were more effective than alcohol, neither decontamination fluid completely removed pathogens from evaluated areas of the firefighter suit. 8 Because of the effectiveness of decontamination at decreasing fire personnel exposure risk, the recent update to the Lavender Ribbon Report for Preventing Firefighter Cancer was released by the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the National Volunteer Fire Council.…”

“…8 While detergents were more effective than alcohol, neither decontamination fluid completely removed pathogens from evaluated areas of the firefighter suit. 8 Because of the effectiveness of decontamination at decreasing fire personnel exposure risk, the recent update to the Lavender Ribbon Report for Preventing Firefighter Cancer was released by the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the National Volunteer Fire Council. 9 This report outlines 11 best practices for preventing cancer in fire personnel including the following:…”

“…8 Specifically, detergents showed greater than 90% decontamination effectiveness on the chest and thighs of firefighter suites. 8 Furthermore, ethanol showed greater than 60% decontamination effectiveness on same area of firefighter suites. 8 While detergents were more effective than alcohol, neither decontamination fluid completely removed pathogens from evaluated areas of the firefighter suit.…”

“…Gross decontamination with wet soap has been shown to reduce carcinogenic exposures by a median of 85% while cleansing wipes used on the skin of the neck reduced exposures by a median of 54% 7 . Decontamination processes studied in laboratory settings have even been shown to effectively disinfect firefighter suits after exposure to biological contaminants 8 . Specifically, detergents showed greater than 90% decontamination effectiveness on the chest and thighs of firefighter suites 8 .…”

Assessment of Volatile Compound Transference through Firefighter Turnout Gear

“…Coats are normally machine-washed after several firefighting actions, but damage to the ePTFE layer may also occur during the washing-machine-cleaning. However, other sources of contamination may exist between washes, since toxic substances tend to accumulate in the equipment after each intervention, and they can be transferred to a firefighter’s skin, as well as to other people or materials [ 17 , 19 , 20 ]. Other alternatives, such as the use of ozone chambers, are becoming very popular among fire departments.…”