Q: |
Can the dust in the air make me ill soon after breathing it? |
A: |
Intense
exposures to any type of dust and smoke can cause eye, nose, throat, and
lung irritation, triggering coughing and sneezing. These symptoms are usually
short-term, protective ways that the body uses to try to remove foreign
material. When they persist or are very severe, they may be symptoms of
a more serious injury. Such severe reactions usually occur in the first
day or so after a high-level exposure and include persistent shortness of
breath, rapid breathing, chest pain or tightness, headache, dizziness, or
fainting. Individuals with asthma, other lung conditions, or heart disease
are generally more vulnerable to the effects of dust and smoke. |
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Q: |
Will I have any long-term health effects from breathing smoke or dust? |
A: |
Most
dust-induced eye, nose, throat, and lung irritation does not result in long-term
health effects. Long-term health effects caused by dust generally occur
only after very long periods of exposure (for example, after years of working
in a dusty workplace). However, asthma and persistent asthma-like symptoms
(wheezing, difficulty breathing) are occasionally caused by exposure to
high levels of irritants. Chronic cough, phlegm, and/or shortness of breath
can also occasionally occur. If you have these symptoms, you should see
a doctor. |
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Q: |
Is there asbestos and/or silica in the dust, and what are the long-term health effects? |
A: |
The
dust in the air is currently being monitored by environmental health officials.
It is recommended that those in the affected area wear appropriate respirators
to avoid prolonged exposure to any problematic particles such as asbestos
or silica. It is important to keep exposure to asbestos or silica to a minimum
to avoid potential long-term health effects. Long-term health effects from silica and asbestos do not appear for many years and even decades, even after relatively high levels of exposure. These effects are dose-related-that is, the risk increases with increasing exposure. They are very unlikely to result from a single, high-level exposure, or from a short period of exposure to lower levels. But there is a potential risk from inhaling these dusts, so until dust sampling measurements can better define the level of asbestos fibers and other dust in the air, the best advice is to avoid or limit dust exposure as much as possible. |
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Q: |
Are masks useful for reducing exposure to dust and smoke? |
A: |
Protective
dust masks and dust-filtering respirators can keep dust out of the air you
inhale. For workers and volunteers working in dusty areas surrounding the
devastation, exposure can be reduced by routine use of well-fitted dust
masks (such as N-95 or more protective NIOSH-approved respirators available
commercially). In areas where airborne asbestos is known or suspected to
be present, N/R/P100 particulate filters with elastomeric half-masks are
recommended to prevent short and long-term health problems (if you don't
know what these are, ask your supervisor). The respirator should fit your
face. A poor fit can allow dust to bypass the dust filter, sharply reducing
any protection from the mask. |
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Q: |
Are masks effective against toxic gas? |
A: |
Dust-filtering
masks provide no protection against toxic gas or suffocation from lack of
air. Firefighters and other emergency responders with potential for intense
exposures often need respirators designed for such special situations. A
respirator equipped with a 3-way combination cartridge (organic vapor plus
particulate plus acid gas) provides protection from toxic or noxious fumes
and gasses from burning materials, decomposing flesh, and sewage line breaks.
A supplied air-type respirator must be used in oxygen deficient areas. If
you don't know what these devices are, ask your supervisor. Regardless of
type, all respirator filters, cartridges, and canisters should be replaced
whenever damaged or contaminated, or if breathing becomes difficult while
the respirator is being used. Some rescue and recovery workers have been observed applying a dollop of mentholated or other pungent salve under the nose above the upper lip to overwhelm all other odors. Workers using respirators fit with organic vapor and gas cartridge or a combination cartridge should not do this because odors detected by workers when wearing these respirators alert the user that toxic gases are leaking into the respirator. |
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Q: |
What else can I do to avoid breathing the dust? |
A: |
Until
the results of dust testing in the area are known, you should avoid inhaling
the dust or limit exposure as much as possible. Avoid entering visibly dusty
areas if you can. Avoid the use of dry sweeping and other dust-clearing
procedures that disturb settled dust and raise it into the air. Dampening
settled dust with a fine water mist can markedly reduce the amount of dust
that is raised by activity. (Caution: Excessive wetting may create a slip
and fall hazard. Slip-resistant shoes or boots may be helpful). If you have been covered in dust that potentially contains asbestos, change your work clothes to avoid taking the dust into your car or home, where your family might be exposed. It is best to remove your dusty clothing while wearing respiratory protection and then shower completely to remove the asbestos from your skin and hair before changing into fresh clothing to go home or elsewhere. Dusty clothes should be handled without shaking and placed in bags. They should be laundered separately. If possible, you should ideally also vacuum your clothing with a vacuum equipped with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter and wash up before taking a break during work. |
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Q: |
What should I do if I think I'm affected from breathing the smoke or dust? |
A: |
It
is not necessary to visit an emergency room or physician if you are suffering
from minor conditions such as eye irritation, coughing, or sneezing. However,
if you are having persistent cough, severe eye irritation, or more serious
symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain or discomfort, or light-headedness,
you should check with a doctor. This is particularly true for individuals
who have had significant exposure (including a confined-space exposure or
a facial or nasal burn), as well as for individuals with preexisting lung
or heart conditions. If you have heart or lung disease, you should consult
your doctor about any additional precautions you should take before helping
with the rescue effort. |
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Q: |
What else can I do to protect my lungs? |
A: |
Seek
guidance from your supervisor. You may find out about how you can be provided
with new or better respirators, if warranted. You may also find out about
facilities that have been made available for changing clothes and showering. Finally, because tobacco smoking and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke may worsen the long-term effects of dust inhalation, make plans to stop smoking if you are a smoker. If you can't quit right now, please resolve to quit in the near future. |
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Q: |
Where Can I find Other Information? |
A: |
Additional
information about occupational safety and health, including information
about lung hazards and respiratory protection, can be found at the following
websites: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html
and the http://www.osha.gov. |
| September 2001 | |