Emergency Characterization of Unknown Materials

by Rick Houghton, William Bennett

Overview

Emergency Characterization of Unknown Materials, Second Edition is fully updated to serve as a portable reference that can be used in the field and laboratory by workers who are responsible for a safe response to and management of unknown hazardous materials. As with the first edition, the book emphasizes public safety and the management of life safety hazards, including strategies and emerging technologies to identify the hazards presented by an unknown material.

When responding to a hazardous material emergency involving an unknown substance, firefighters and HAZMAT teams are primarily interested in protecting public safety. The book details risk analysis procedures to identify threats and vulnerabilities, analyzing them to determine how such risks can be eliminated or reduced. If an unknown material can be identified with a high degree of confidence, that can considerably change the response, and measures to be taken.

In addition, the book covers practical field applications with updated and additional examples of field instruments. The hazard identification methods presented are intended for use by frontline workers. The test methods presented involve manipulation of small sample amounts – using, literally, a hands-on approach. The three technologies used by first responders and military personnel to identify unknown chemicals, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy and high-pressure mass spectroscopy, are covered in depth.

Features

• Presents how to identify unknown materials and, if identification is not possible, to characterize the hazards of the material
• Offers practical examples to introduce new first responders to hazardous materials response
• Provides up-to-date field applications of the latest developments in commercially available instrumentation
• Details practical sample manipulations to help the reader successfully identify materials with popular high-end instrumentation
• Includes several examples of spectra and describes ways in which the reader can utilize data to inform decision making

New coverage to this edition includes a chapter and content that focuses on sample manipulation and separations using instruments developed and revised since the first edition was published. These sample manipulations may be performed in the field with a very simple toolkit, which is fully outlined and explained in detail. Identifying the hazards of the unknown substance is essential to plan for response, contingencies and sustained actions. As such, Emergency Characterization of Unknown Materials, Second Edition will be a welcome and essential resource to all response and safety professionals concerned with hazardous materials.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780367480257
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	11/30/2020
Edition description:	2nd ed.
Pages:	390
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Rick Houghton recently retired after 40 years as a first responder and trainer. His career began as a firefighter, paramedic and hazardous materials trainer. He has extensive experience as a professional trainer and course developer.

William Bennett is a professional trainer, course developer and business owner. He recently retired from the U.S. Air Force with 35 years’ experience, including 16 years as a founding member of the 51st Civil Support Team.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Terms and Definitions. Chapter 2: Hazards. Chapter 3: Detection Technology. Chapter 4: Strategies. Chapter 5: Techniques.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"… offers a good blend of the required science followed by an overview of some of the common field detection devices and testing processes. … identifies all of the terms used by the National Fire Protection Association Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials /WMD Incidents (NFPA 472 2008) and provides a good explanation of each… offers some excellent background material….

"The largest section of the text covers detection technology … focusing on the technology that drives the devices… . It is an excellent overview of the current technologies with an appropriate level of description.

"An investigator who routinely characterizes unknown materials and routinely works with hazardous materials will be comfortable with the processes. …The text certainly offers a good basis to train someone to perform these characterizations

"… the text is well written and flows well…. If you respond to unidentified materials or have to characterize

potential evidence in the field then this text offers the background,devices, and strategies to accomplish those objectives.

— Christopher Hawley, Sr. Deputy Project Manager, Computer Sciences Corporation, International Counterproliferation Program, Alexandria, Virginia, writing in the Journal of Forensic Science, January 2009, Vol. 54, No. 1

“Few people are as passionate and committed to this subject as Rick. His book provides an easy to read and understand guide to HAZMAT and should form part of any HAZMAT team’s reference arsenal.”
—Peter-John Jacobs, Captain, South African Police Service, Forensic Science Laboratory, Pretoria

“Rick Houghton’s Emergency Characterization of Unknown Materials brings a needed practical look at identification of materials in the field for the first responder. First responders, whether hazardous materials technicians, bomb disposal technicians, crime scene investigators, narcotics investigators, public health environmental specialists, or environmental protection specialists are most often not trained as chemists. Houghton’s book examines field identification in terms that these technical, non-scientists can easily understand, and allow them to safely and efficiently apply these techniques in their incident response. In today’s world, with hazardous materials being an often encountered response, and the concerns of use of weapons of mass destruction by terrorists on the minds of many responders, this user friendly book is a treasure for the responder to study and refer to.”
— Paul R. Laska, Paul R. Laska Forensic Consulting, Inc., Palm City, and Retired Sergeant commanding the Bomb Disposal Team of Martin County Sheriff’s Office, Stuart, Florida, USA

“A well written resource providing a straightforward approach to identification of all types of unknowns—commercial materials, hazardous decomposition products, military chemical and potential biological agents. Using a combination of technical details, practical examples and humor, Mr. Houghton describes not only the various methods of field analysis, but also provides proven strategies for applying these methods. Most importantly, he provides insight into how to avoid critical, and potentially dangerous, mistakes. A valuable addition to the library of any first responder, emergency manager, or field analytical chemist.”
—Hank Ellison, Cerberus Associates, Hampshire, UK

"... provides a comprehensive review of information that emergency responders must know when attempting to mitigate releases involving unknown materials. ... provides practical examples and diagrams that will help responders in analyzing a situation and making the correct decision.
—Scott H. Tobey, Professor, School of Criminal Justice, Michigan State University

Editorial Reviews

"… offers a good blend of the required science followed by an overview of some of the common field detection devices and testing processes. … identifies all of the terms used by the National Fire Protection Association Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials /WMD Incidents (NFPA 472 2008) and provides a good explanation of each… offers some excellent background material….

"The largest section of the text covers detection technology … focusing on the technology that drives the devices… . It is an excellent overview of the current technologies with an appropriate level of description.

"An investigator who routinely characterizes unknown materials and routinely works with hazardous materials will be comfortable with the processes. …The text certainly offers a good basis to train someone to perform these characterizations

"… the text is well written and flows well…. If you respond to unidentified materials or have to characterize

potential evidence in the field then this text offers the background,devices, and strategies to accomplish those objectives.

— Christopher Hawley, Sr. Deputy Project Manager, Computer Sciences Corporation, International Counterproliferation Program, Alexandria, Virginia, writing in the Journal of Forensic Science, January 2009, Vol. 54, No. 1

“Few people are as passionate and committed to this subject as Rick. His book provides an easy to read and understand guide to HAZMAT and should form part of any HAZMAT team’s reference arsenal.”
—Peter-John Jacobs, Captain, South African Police Service, Forensic Science Laboratory, Pretoria

“Rick Houghton’s Emergency Characterization of Unknown Materials brings a needed practical look at identification of materials in the field for the first responder. First responders, whether hazardous materials technicians, bomb disposal technicians, crime scene investigators, narcotics investigators, public health environmental specialists, or environmental protection specialists are most often not trained as chemists. Houghton’s book examines field identification in terms that these technical, non-scientists can easily understand, and allow them to safely and efficiently apply these techniques in their incident response. In today’s world, with hazardous materials being an often encountered response, and the concerns of use of weapons of mass destruction by terrorists on the minds of many responders, this user friendly book is a treasure for the responder to study and refer to.”
— Paul R. Laska, Paul R. Laska Forensic Consulting, Inc., Palm City, and Retired Sergeant commanding the Bomb Disposal Team of Martin County Sheriff’s Office, Stuart, Florida, USA

“A well written resource providing a straightforward approach to identification of all types of unknowns—commercial materials, hazardous decomposition products, military chemical and potential biological agents. Using a combination of technical details, practical examples and humor, Mr. Houghton describes not only the various methods of field analysis, but also provides proven strategies for applying these methods. Most importantly, he provides insight into how to avoid critical, and potentially dangerous, mistakes. A valuable addition to the library of any first responder, emergency manager, or field analytical chemist.”
—Hank Ellison, Cerberus Associates, Hampshire, UK

"... provides a comprehensive review of information that emergency responders must know when attempting to mitigate releases involving unknown materials. ... provides practical examples and diagrams that will help responders in analyzing a situation and making the correct decision.
—Scott H. Tobey, Professor, School of Criminal Justice, Michigan State University

"… offers a good blend of the required science followed by an overview of some of the common field detection devices and testing processes. … identifies all of the terms used by the National Fire Protection Association Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials /WMD Incidents (NFPA 472 2008) and provides a good explanation of each… offers some excellent background material….

"The largest section of the text covers detection technology … focusing on the technology that drives the devices… . It is an excellent overview of the current technologies with an appropriate level of description.

"An investigator who routinely characterizes unknown materials and routinely works with hazardous materials will be comfortable with the processes. …The text certainly offers a good basis to train someone to perform these characterizations

"… the text is well written and flows well…. If you respond to unidentified materials or have to characterize

potential evidence in the field then this text offers the background,devices, and strategies to accomplish those objectives.

— Christopher Hawley, Sr. Deputy Project Manager, Computer Sciences Corporation, International Counterproliferation Program, Alexandria, Virginia, writing in the Journal of Forensic Science, January 2009, Vol. 54, No. 1

“Few people are as passionate and committed to this subject as Rick. His book provides an easy to read and understand guide to HAZMAT and should form part of any HAZMAT team’s reference arsenal.”
—Peter-John Jacobs, Captain, South African Police Service, Forensic Science Laboratory, Pretoria

“Rick Houghton’s Emergency Characterization of Unknown Materials brings a needed practical look at identification of materials in the field for the first responder. First responders, whether hazardous materials technicians, bomb disposal technicians, crime scene investigators, narcotics investigators, public health environmental specialists, or environmental protection specialists are most often not trained as chemists. Houghton’s book examines field identification in terms that these technical, non-scientists can easily understand, and allow them to safely and efficiently apply these techniques in their incident response. In today’s world, with hazardous materials being an often encountered response, and the concerns of use of weapons of mass destruction by terrorists on the minds of many responders, this user friendly book is a treasure for the responder to study and refer to.”
— Paul R. Laska, Paul R. Laska Forensic Consulting, Inc., Palm City, and Retired Sergeant commanding the Bomb Disposal Team of Martin County Sheriff’s Office, Stuart, Florida, USA

“A well written resource providing a straightforward approach to identification of all types of unknowns—commercial materials, hazardous decomposition products, military chemical and potential biological agents. Using a combination of technical details, practical examples and humor, Mr. Houghton describes not only the various methods of field analysis, but also provides proven strategies for applying these methods. Most importantly, he provides insight into how to avoid critical, and potentially dangerous, mistakes. A valuable addition to the library of any first responder, emergency manager, or field analytical chemist.”
—Hank Ellison, Cerberus Associates, Hampshire, UK

"... provides a comprehensive review of information that emergency responders must know when attempting to mitigate releases involving unknown materials. ... provides practical examples and diagrams that will help responders in analyzing a situation and making the correct decision.
—Scott H. Tobey, Professor, School of Criminal Justice, Michigan State University

" … a valuable reference on one of today’s most complex threat areas. … as a solid reference book on a very important and technically complex subject, this work would make a good addition to a professional library for anyone who could find themselves dealing with hazardous materials."

<source>—Col. Christopher G. Essig, writing in Security Management

From the Publisher