Understanding Smoke Particle Risk and Exposure

2

Kevin RocheConsultantPhoenix Fire Department (Retired)

3

Robert KeysConsultantFDNY Battalion Chief (Retired)

4

Jian XiangGlobal Technical Leader for Emergency ResponseDuPont Protection Solutions

• Workplace burn injuries• Costs associated with workplace burns• PPE Considerations• Conclusions and Summary

Overview:Why Modern-day Fires Are More Deadly

Gaps Between Modern-day Fires and Existing PPE Protection

Bridging Gaps Through Collective Initiatives

Game-changing Technologies

Systemic and Better Protection for Modern-day Firefighters

Agenda

6

A Brief History of Firefighter Turnout Gear Evolution

Challenges Lead to Innovations

>2020Smart technologyMultiple threats protectionDurable, easy to cleanReduce heat stressPrice?

1900–1960Water resistanceCotton, wool, natural fibersKept warmThermal protection$25/Set

1965Nomex®

Kevlar®

Inherently flame resistant and high strength TOGNo melt & no drip$100/Set

1990Bloodbornepathogen protection$800/Set

2000CBRN optionHigher strengthComfortReduced stored energy $2100/Set

7

On-Duty Firefighter Fatalities

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Num

ber o

f Dea

ths

Year

2017 NFPA Report

PPE Advancement Reduces Fatalities

• Including career and volunteer firefighters

• Excluding the 343 firefighter deaths at the World Trade Center

8

Decade Total Fatalities Cancer Deaths % Cancer

1950s 629 2 0.3%

1960s 703 7 1.0%

1970s 854 22 2.6%

1980s 566 49 8.7%

1990s 614 237 38.6%

2000s without 9/11 1031 587 56.9%

2010 - 2016 982 653 66.5%

Firefighter Cancer Deaths

Courtesy of IAFF

More Lives Lost to Cancer Than to LODD

9

Contributing FactorsFlammable Material Dirty PPEImproper ProtectionToxic Substances

10

Flammable Building and Upholstery MaterialsModern Materials• Ignite and melt faster at lower temperatures• Create more chemical chain reactions, resulting in more heat and burns• Generate more toxic smoke particles

Daniel Madrzykowski, The Danger of Today’s Fires at 2017 IAFF

11

Smoke is a Carrier for Toxic Substances

Wood Soot

Oil Soot

http://www.atl.semtechs olutions.com/cat egory/c oal- as h-analy sis- gallery/c oal- as h-analys is

http://www.ncbi.nlm. nih.gov/pubmed/ 20657302

Particles Aerosols Gases

Carbon monoxide

Hydrogen cyanide

Formaldehyde

Benzene

Nitrogen dioxide

Acid gases

Smoke• Burned and unburned materials

• Small but large surface area• Absorbs multiple chemicals

• Particle sizes less than 1 micron

Impacts on Health• Lethal >100,000 deaths

reported in Asia 2015

• Coronary heart disease• Stroke

• Cancer

• Respiratory diseases

12

Forms of Toxic SubstancesVolatile Gases & Organic Compounds • Emitted at room temperature

• Released in hours or days in gas form• Some may be smelled

• Examples:• CO, HCN, HCHO, SOx• Benzene• Toluene• Xylene

Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds • Emitted at high vapor pressure

• Released in smoke • Mostly absorbed through skin contact

• Examples:• Phthalates • Perfluorinated surfactants• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)• Polybrominated flame retardants (PBDE)

13

Carcinogens Found During and After Fires

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Chemical Place IARC Group* Physical FormAsbestos Fire Ground, PPE 1 Aerosol, particulate

Soot Fire Ground, PPE 1 Particulate

Benzene Fire Ground 1 Gas

Benzo[a]pyrene Fire Ground, PPE 1 Aerosol, particulate

1,3- Butadiene Fire Ground, PPE 1 Aerosol, particulate

Formaldehyde Fire Ground 1 Gas

Dioxin Fire Ground, PPE 1 Aerosol, particulate

Diesel engine exhaust Fire Station, PPE 1 Aerosol, particulate

Wood combustion Fire Ground, PPE 1 Aerosol, particulate

Creosote Fire Ground, PPE 2A Aerosol, particulate

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers Fire Ground, PPE, Station 2A Aerosol, particulate

Group 1 – Carcinogenic to humansGroup 2A – Probably carcinogenic to humansGroup 2B – Possibly carcinogenic to humansGroup 3 – Not carcinogenic to humansGroup 4 – Probably not carcinogenic to humans

• Workplace burn injuries• Costs associated with workplace burns• PPE Considerations• Conclusions and Summary

Overview:AgendaWhy Modern-day Fires Are More Deadly

Gaps Between Modern-day Fires and Existing PPE Protection

Bridging Gaps Through Collective Initiatives

Game-changing Technologies

Systemic and Better Protection for Modern-day Firefighters

15

Exposure Routes to Toxic Substances• SCBA protects against inhalation and ingestion

• Gear, gloves and boots provide minimum protection from particle penetration

• Is existing protection from PPE enough?

Absorption

Distribution

Metabolizing

Inhalation• Fast• Easy

Skin Contact• Slow • Large area

Ingestion• Fast• Possible

16

Skin Absorption Rates vs Protection• Scrotum, armpit and head are

the most absorptive areas

• Absorption rate increases as temperature increases

• High humidity of fire ground and sweat dramatically increase skin absorption rate

• Absorption reaches the highest level during structural firefighting

http://www2.ca.uky.edu/ agc om m/pubs/pat/pat 6/pat6. pdf

17

IAFF FAST on Smoke Particles Penetration

Sponsored by: International Association of Fire Fighters Washington, D.C.

Fluorescent Aerosol Screen Test• Test Conditions

• 10 MPH• 0.1-10 microns• 30 minutes

Before After

Test Conditions• 10 MPH• 0.1-10 microns• 30 minutes

Insufficient Neck & Interface Protection

18

Minimum Protection to Highly Absorptive Areas• Conventional hoods have no

protection against smoke particles

• Commodity products are the lowest expense, accounting for 0.4% of total PPE cost

• No additional protection is at interface areas in TOG to protect FF from smoke particles

• It is paramount to protect FF at fire ground where absorption is the highest

PPE Average ($) Percent (%)SCBA 3,500 30%Thermal Image Camera 2,500 21%Portable Radios 1,500 13%Turnout Coats 1,300 11%Turnout Pants 900 8%Class 2 Harness 650 6%Helmets 350 3%Leather Fire Boots 350 3%SCBA Face Piece 300 3%Pagers 150 1%Flashlights 90 1%Corrective Lens Holder 90 1%Gloves 80 1%

Hoods 45 0.4%Total 11,805

Hood Is the Lowest Cost PPE Protecting the Most Vulnerable Exposure Areas

• Workplace burn injuries• Costs associated with workplace burns• PPE Considerations• Conclusions and Summary

Overview:AgendaWhy Modern-day Fires Are More Deadly

Gaps Between Modern-day Fires and Existing PPE Protection

Bridging Gaps Through Collective Initiatives

Game-changing Technologies

Systemic and Better Protection for Modern-day Firefighters

20

NFPA Initiatives• NFPA 1971 assigned a special task group for barrier

hoods in Oct. 2014

• Initiated “How Clean is Clean” investigation in 2015• IAFF initiated FAST test in 2015

• Challenged manufacturers for the development of particle barrier hoods

• Initiated and finalized key tests to evaluate particle barrier hoods.

• Added more developments in NFPA 1851 standard for selection, care and maintenance for particle barrier hoods.

21

NFPA 1971–2018 Edition• The edition was approved as an American National Standard on

August 21, 2017

• Adds new definition, minimum performance and testing standard for particle barrier hoods

• It is an optional interface element of the protective ensemble. It states that barrier hoods provide limited thermal, physical and barrier protection

• Specifies minimum areas should be covered if barrier is used

• All barrier hoods should be certified to NFPA 1971—2018 edition. Certification has begun in UL

• Barrier hoods should be labeled with the language of This Hood Provides Limited Particulate Barrier Protection

22

NFPA 1971– 2013 vs. 2018 Edition

NFPA Standard 2013 2018Thermal Resistance No melt & no drip No melt & no drip

Flame Resistance Char length <= 4”After flame <= 2 seconds

Char length <= 4”After flame <= 2 seconds

Thermal Shrinkage <= 10% <= 10%

TPP >= 20 cal/cm² >= 20 cal/cm²

Burst Strength (lbs.) >=51 lbs >=51 lbs

Particle Blocking Efficiency* (0.1 – 1 µm) N/A >= 90 %

THL* (W/m2) N/A >= 325 W/M²

* Required only for optional barrier hood

Particle Barrier Hood is an Optional PPE in 2018 Edition

23

Firefighter Initiatives Particle Blocking• Cancer prevention symposiums held by a

number of fire departments

• Fire Service Occupation Cancer Alliance• IAFF leadership in investigating smoke

particle effects

• Willingness to conduct wear trials and then provide feedback

• Guided manufacturers to define must-have performances of particle barrier hoods

Inherently Flame Resistant

BreathableNo Noise

Situational Awareness Durable to Wash & Wear

24

Manufacturer Initiatives2016 FDIC—Particle barrier hoods were introduced• Interceptor H41—FireDex, Nomex® Nano Flex based

• Barriaire™—PGI, Nomex® Nano Flex based• Life guard—Honeywell, Membrane based

2017 FDIC—More particle barrier hoods were introduced• Interceptor H41—FireDex, Nomex® Nano Flex based

• Barriaire™—PGI, Nomex® Nano Flex based

• Viking - Nomex® Nano Flex based

• Gray—Innotex, Membrane based• Gore/Majestic—Membrane based

• Life guard—Honeywell, Membrane based

25

NCSU InitiativesProject I Evaluate performance of particle barrier material and hood for thermal, filtration efficiency, comfort and durability – DHS sponsored

Project II Develop performance criteria and prototype for turnout gear interface – DHS sponsored

26

Other Institutional and Organizational Initiatives• Illinois Fire Service Institute – IFSI Research

• University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign

• McMaster University

• Underwriters Laboratories • National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

• University of Cincinnati

• United States Department of Agriculture• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

• Workplace burn injuries• Costs associated with workplace burns• PPE Considerations• Conclusions and Summary

AgendaWhy Modern-day Fires Are More Deadly

Gaps Between Modern-day Fires and Existing PPE Protection

Bridging Gaps Through Collective Initiatives

Game-changing Technologies

Systemic and Better Protection for Modern-day Firefighters

28

Nomex® Nano Flex Technology

• Nonwoven made of submicron fibers

• 90% air + 10% fibers

• Small pores, good for filtration

• Small fibers, good for thermal insulation

• Excellent thermal resistance

• Air permeable for comfort

• Light and thin, improve ergonomics

• Balanced properties

29

Critical Performance for Particle Barrier Hood

Particle Blocking Inherently Flame Resistant

BreathableNo Noise

Situational Awareness Durable to Wash & Wear

30

Nomex® Nano Flex Hood• Improve TPP up to 25%

• Add only 10gm or 6% weight

• Increase thickness only by 4%

• Improve blocking efficiency 4X• > 150X Washes and dries

Knit

Knit

Nomex® Nano Flex Barrier

99.7 99 99 99.3 99.798.45 97.59 98.47 98.28 98.89

020406080

100120

0.1 0.2 0.3 0.5 0.8% P

artic

le B

lock

ing

Effic

ienc

y

Particle Size (µM)

% Particle Blocking Efficiency(NFPA 1971- 2018 Suggested Performance >= 90% @ ASTM F2299)

Typical Hood w/o Nomex® Nano Flex Nomex® Nano Flex + Knit 150 Wash Nomex® Nano Flex + Knit

31

FAST Performance Visual Verification• 1 & 3 contained no Nomex® Nano Flex

• 2 & 4, with Nomex® Nano Flex, dramatically reduce particle penetration

• Particles concentration was below detection limit

With Nomex®

Nano FlexWithout Nomex®

Nano Flex

w/ Barrier

4

w/o Barrier

1

w/ Barrier

2

w/o Barrier

3

1 2

3 4

32

Durability

102030405060708090

100110

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Filtr

atio

n ef

ficie

ncy,

%

at 0

.3 m

icro

ns

Laundries

Effect of Laundry on Filtration Efficiency of Quilted

Nano Flex Composites

Quilted 8 OSY Jersey Knit with 12 inch Nomex® Nano FlexQuilted 8 OSY Warp Knit with 12 inch Nomex® Nano Flex

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

0.1 0.2 0.3 0.5 0.8

% P

artic

le B

lock

ing

Effic

ienc

y

Particle Size (µm)

Particle-Blocking Efficiency After 9 Months Firefighting Activities (ASTM F2299)

Typical Hood without Nomex® Nano Flex

After 9 months of Firefighting activities

Performance sustained after 9 month-long real fire activitiesQuilting enhances manufacturing robustness and product integrity

33

Durability of 250X Dons and Doffs

0

50

100

0.1 0.2 0.3 0.5 0.8

% B

lock

ing

Effic

ienc

y

Particle Size (µM)

Filtration Blocking Efficiency Before and After 250X Dons and Doffs

Before After

• Hoods with different designs, including quilting and no-quilting, from three manufacturers were evaluated at local fire station

• Each trial consisted of 25X donning and doffing, followed by one NFPA 1851 recommended washing and drying

• Total 10 wear trials, or 250X dons and doffs, were conducted

34

Breathability and Comfort

COMPOSITE THL (W/m²)Typical Turnout Gear 268

2 x 6.25 osy Nomex® IIIA + Nomex® Nano Flex 431

2 x 8.5 osy Nomex® + Nomex® Nano Flex 349

Firefighters Validated the Superior THL and Air Permeability

0

14.8

24.5

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

TYPICAL MOISTURE MEMBRANE

TYPICAL OUTER SHELL

TYPICAL HOOD WITH NOMEX® NANO FLEX

AIR PERMEABILITY (CFM/FT2 @ 1.3CM H2O)

35

Routine Inspection for Wear and Tear

Use NFPA 1851 Standard for Selection, Use, Clean and Maintenance

• Workplace burn injuries• Costs associated with workplace burns• PPE Considerations• Conclusions and Summary

Overview:AgendaWhy Modern-day Fires Are More Deadly

Gaps Between Modern-day Fires and Existing PPE Protection

Bridging Gaps Through Collective Initiatives

Game-changing Technologies

Systemic and Better Protection for Modern-day Firefighters

37

TOXIC

Systematically Reduce Chemical Exposures on Firefighters

Fire Station

Call

Donning

To Fire Ground

In Fire Ground

Overhaul

Doff & Packing

Rehab

Back to Station

Clean PPE

• Mindset change

• Risk assessment

• Improved ventilation

• Reduced exposure to diesel exhaust

• Perform risk assessment

• Carefully choose NFPA-certified PPE

• Exam gear condition and cleanliness

• Be prepared to adjust gear and ensure fit

• Ensure all body parts are protected by gear

• Wear barrier hood and gear with interface protection

• Balance firefighting activities with heat stress

• Wear full protective ensembles

• Keep SCBA on until overhaul is complete

• Fire department to adopt a comprehensive respiratory protection program

• Decon and launder turnout gear, hood and other PPE that contact the skin after each fire

• Perform advanced cleaning or repair if necessary

• Never mix dirty PPE with personal items

• Don’t bring dirty gear home

• Improve ventilation

• Reduce exposure to diesel exhaust

• Take 30 min shower and sauna

• Drink as much water as possible

• Use water hose or brush to wash away gross contaminants from PPE

• Use fan to blow off volatile gases on PPE

• Take off gear, boots and gloves before taking off SCBA

• Wipe contaminated skin

• Store dirty gear in a designated bag

38

Community Support

firstrespondercenter.org/cancer/firefightercancersupport.org

firehero.org

Challenge MindsetChallenge the Way We Fight Fires

39

For More Information About Nomex® Nano Flex and Nomex® Nano

http://www.dupont.com/content/dam/dupont/products-and-services /personal-protec tive-equipment/thermal-protective-apparel-and-accessories/documents/DPT_Nomex_N ano%20Flex_Sell_Sheet.pdf

http://www.dupont.com/content/dam/dupont/products-and-services /personal-protec tive-equipment/thermal-protective-apparel-and-accessories/documents/DPT_Nomex_N ano_Sell_Sheet.pdf

http://globeturnoutgear.com/about-us/our-partners/dupont-kevlar

http://www.pgi-inc.com/

http://www.firedex.com/product/h41-interceptor/

http://www.safetycomponents.com/i ndex .html

http://www.tencate.com/default.aspx https://www.viking-fire.com/en/

This information corresponds to our current knowledge on the subject and may be subject to revision as new knowledge becomes available. It is your responsibility to investigate other sources of information on this issue that more appropriately addresses your product and its intended use. This information is not intended for use by you or others in advertis ing, promotion, publication or any other commercial use. DUPONT MAKES NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND REGARDING THIS INFORMATION AND ASSUMES NO LIABILITY WHATSOEVER IN CONNECTION WITH ANY USE OF THIS INFORMATION. This information is not a license to operate under, or intended to suggest infringement of, any existing trademarks or patents.

Copyright © 2017 DuPont. All rights reserved. This material may not be used for any other purpose without the expressed written consent of DuPont. The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont™ and Nomex® are trademarks or registered trademarks of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company or its affiliates.

nomex.com

J ian Xiang J ian.x iang@dupont.com Rober t Keys fdnyconsult ing@gmail.comKev in Roche kev in.roche@facets llp.com

Questions?