RAE Systems Posts Educational Resource for Gulf of Mexico Spill Recovery Workers

[Guest guest]

I have no personal interest in RAE Systems nor have I vetted this

information in anyway however, I do know the firm and their products and

services

so I trust that this is " good " stuff.

Since this affects Texas and LA and all the way to FL and perhaps beyond I

thought it good to post here. Share as you see fit.

RAE Systems Posts Educational Resource for Gulf of Mexico Spill Recovery

Workers

-- Website Provides Information and Phone Numbers to Protect People,

Wildlife and Property --

Today RAE Systems launched new web content at _http://www.raesystems.com/_

(http://www.responsetrack.net/lnk/raesystems/1901840/?167100DYMDK)

(http://www.responsetrack.net/lnk/raesystems/1901840/?167100DYMDK)

to assist the more than 20,000 people deployed in various aspects of the

Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The site provides information to understand the

potential risks from the toxic and flammable Volatile Organic Compounds

(VOCs) being released in both the spilled and burned oil in the Gulf of

Mexico.

Launched on June 21, 2010, the website includes tools, references and

phone numbers to assist in the following areas:

* _Protecting cleanup workers from exposure to toxic oil

by-products_ (http://www.responsetrack.net/lnk/raesystems/19ghv/?167100DYMDK)

* _Monitoring decontamination of wildlife_

(http://www.responsetrack.net/lnk/raesystems/19ghw/?167100DYMDK)

* _Monitoring decontamination of people and equipment_

(http://www.responsetrack.net/lnk/raesystems/19ghx/?167100DYMDK)

* _Maintaining worker safety on off-shore oil rigs_

(http://www.responsetrack.net/lnk/raesystems/19ghy/?167100DYMDK)

* _Managing area monitoring on vessels _

(http://www.responsetrack.net/lnk/raesystems/19ghz/?167100DYMDK)

* _Providing worker safety on supply ships_

(http://www.responsetrack.net/lnk/raesystems/19gi0/?167100DYMDK)

* _Area monitoring of the shoreline_

(http://www.responsetrack.net/lnk/raesystems/19gi1/?167100DYMDK)

Chen, RAE Systems’ president and CEO said, “Like everyone, we are

concerned about the effects of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. As experts in

worker safety hazardous material detection and monitoring, our team has

compiled useful resources to prepare and protect people, wildlife and

property impacted by the disaster. We are hopeful proactive education will

help

mitigate injury, and we have established a hotline to address questions

people may have [ Ext. 8]. The website includes links to U.S.

Government resources, and we have created a list of the most commonly monitored

compounds found in the Gulf cleanup operation.†This vital resource can be

found at _http://www.raesystems.com/~raedocs/gulf_monitoring.htm_

(http://www.responsetrack.net/lnk/raesystems/19gi2/?167100DYMDK) .â€

The more than 20,000 workers assisting in the oil spill cleanup, as well

as those deployed on offshore platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, and area

workers should be aware of the hazards from exposure to toxic VOCs, whether the

potential toxins emanate from their own operations or from spilled oil and

oil dispersants.

The mix of VOCs in the oil changes as it disperses from the source of the

spill to the shore. Along the way, some of volatile compounds, including

benzene, are broken down by sun and seawater. When the oil reaches the shore,

it still contains some VOCs that should be monitored. According to the

Centers for Disease Control, VOCs at the shore can include toxics and

carcinogens such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, and naphthalene, in

varying concentrations and combinations. In addition, hydrogen sulfide is also

likely to be present and should be monitored. Some workers have already

reported severe headaches, dizziness, nausea and difficulty breathing, which

can be associated with coming into contact with spilled oil and oil

dispersants. Below are some of the potential exposure scenarios that should be

considered for active VOC monitoring:

_Protecting Cleanup Workers from Exposure to Toxic Oil By-products _

(http://www.responsetrack.net/lnk/raesystems/19ghv/?167100DYMDK)

Vessels towing or placing containment, skimming, and sorbent booms, as

well as those operating in contaminated ocean areas, can inadvertently lead to

exposure of onboard workers to hazardous VOCs. VOC levels in these

situations can easily exceed permissible exposure levels (PEL) established by

OSHA

and followed by other U.S. government agencies. These chemicals can affect

the respiratory system, central nervous system, kidneys, and liver.

Wherever oil is being burned off, high concentrations of benzene may be

present.

As these chemicals evaporate and become airborne, they pose their greatest

threat to human health. Accordingly, VOCs and related chemicals in these

environments should be monitored to ensure worker safety.

_Monitoring Decontamination of Wildlife_

(http://www.responsetrack.net/lnk/raesystems/19ghw/?167100DYMDK)

Seagoing and marsh-dwelling birds, such as gulls, pelicans and egrets, as

well as turtles and other aquatic creatures, are being found along coastal

regions soaked in oil. Cleaning them requires the use of oil dispersants,

such as dishwashing detergent, and a lot of patience. During the

time-consuming process of cleaning these animals, workers also are exposed to

the toxic

substances. In addition, dishwashing liquids typically contain ethanol,

which is also a VOC. As a result, workers and the animals must be rinsed

clean of both the oil and dishwashing liquid to ensure no VOCs remain.

_Monitoring Decontamination of People and Equipment_

(http://www.responsetrack.net/lnk/raesystems/19ghx/?167100DYMDK)

Each day in the Gulf of Mexico, thousands of workers skim oil and move

booms along the shore to either prevent oil from reaching beaches and marshes

or to remove it once it is ashore. While protective outerwear keeps the oil

off of the workers’ skin, it must be disposed of along with booms and other

gear employed. Equipment that is not disposable, including rakes, shovels,

and other tools, must be thoroughly cleaned, and during that process VOCs

can be released. To minimize exposure risk, there should be monitoring

during cleaning. In addition, the containers’ oil and other captured

contaminants should be monitored until they are relocated and processed.

_Maintaining Worker Safety on Off-shore Oil and Gas Rigs_

(http://www.responsetrack.net/lnk/raesystems/19ghy/?167100DYMDK)

The oil and natural gas platforms in the Gulf of Mexico are populated by

more than 10,000 workers. They must be protected from hazardous exposures to

toxic VOCs, whether emanating from their own operations or from spilled oil

and oil dispersants drifting with the currents and passing nearby their

operating platforms. Adding to potential hazard are controlled burns of oil

on the surface, which produce clouds of particulate matter and contain VOCs

such as benzene, as well as elevated levels of carbon monoxide.

_Managing Area Monitoring on Vessels _

(http://www.responsetrack.net/lnk/raesystems/19ghz/?167100DYMDK)

For ships deployed to monitor large open areas of ocean for air

contamination resulting from the oil spill, a connected and wireless gas

detection

system can be employed to continuously monitor for VOC exposure levels.

Deployed on multiple shipboard locations, these wireless gas monitors can

detect

for atmospheric contamination from the deck of a moving vessel from the

detectors’ sensors. Data can be relayed wirelessly to a central collection

point, and results can be compared and tracked from other ships over extended

periods of time. Also, toxic VOCs can accumulate below deck, adding to the

ever-present hazards of oxygen deficiency and explosive or flammable

atmospheres.

_Providing Worker Safety on Supply Ships_

(http://www.responsetrack.net/lnk/raesystems/19gi0/?167100DYMDK)

Not everyone on ships in the Gulf of Mexico is involved in oil production

or remediating the oil spill, but they must pass through the contaminated

zone nonetheless for deliveries and crew transfers/replacements. Ships

carrying supplies to offshore oil workers and to those involved in cleanup

operations run the risk of passing near or through areas where exposure levels

of dangerous VOCs are high.

_Area Monitoring of the Shoreline_

(http://www.responsetrack.net/lnk/raesystems/19gi1/?167100DYMDK)

The mix of VOCs in the oil changes as it disperses from the source of the

spill to the shore. Along the way, benzene and some other volatiles are

broken down by sun and seawater. By the time oil reaches the shore, it still

contains some VOCs that should be monitored. According to the Centers for

Disease Control, VOCs at the shore can include benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene,

xylene, and naphthalene, in varying concentrations and combinations. Some

workers have reported severe headaches, dizziness, nausea and difficulty

breathing, which can be associated with coming into contact with spilled oil

and oil dispersants.

For more information on RAE Systems and its products’ applications in

monitoring Gulf of Mexico operations, please visit _http://www.raesystems.com/_

(http://www.responsetrack.net/lnk/raesystems/1901840/?167100DYMDK) .

Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI

Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection Consultant

LNMolino@...

(Cell Phone)

" A Texan with a Jersey Attitude "

" Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds

discuss people " Eleanor Roosevelt - US diplomat & reformer (1884 - 1962)