{"operation":"document","citation":"ERG 2024 Guide 158","title":"Guide 158: Infectious Substances","source_type":"guidance","agency":"U.S. DOT / Transport Canada / SICT","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2024-04-04","effective_on":null,"summary":"ERG2024 response Guide 158: Infectious Substances.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-guide-158.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-guide-158.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-guide-158","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/erg/guide?number=158","body":"GUIDE\n158\nInfectious Substances\nPOTENTIAL HAZARDS\nHEALTH\n•\nInhalation or contact with substance may cause infection, disease or death.\n•\nCategory A Infectious Substances (UN2814, UN2900 or UN3549) are more hazardous, or are in a more\nhazardous form, than infectious substances shipped as Category B Biological Substances (UN3373) or\nclinical waste/medical waste (UN3291).\n•\nRunoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination.\n•\nDamaged packages containing solid CO2 as a refrigerant may produce water or frost from condensation\nof air. Do not touch this liquid as it could be contaminated by the contents of the parcel.\n•\nContact with solid CO2 may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite.\n•\n•\nFIRE OR EXPLOSION\nSome of these materials may burn, but none ignite readily.\nSome may be transported in flammable liquids.\nPUBLIC SAFETY\nCALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper\nnot available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.\nKeep unauthorized personnel away.\nStay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.\nConsult the shipping paper to identify the substance involved.\n•\n•\n•\n•\nPROTECTIVE CLOTHING\n•\nUse judgement based on the amount of material present and the possible routes of exposure to select\nprotective clothing.\n•\nWear appropriate respiratory protection, such as fit-tested N95 respirator (at minimum), powered air\npurifying respirator (PAPR), or positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).\n•\nWear full coverage body protection (e.g., Tyvek suit), faceshield, and disposable fluid-resistant gloves\n(e.g., latex or nitrile).\n•\nWear appropriate footwear; disposable shoe covers can be worn to protect against contamination.\n•\nPuncture- and cut-resistant gloves should be worn over fluid-resistant gloves if sharp objects (e.g.,\nbroken glass, needles) are present.\n•\nWear insulated gloves (e.g. cryo gloves) over fluid-resistant gloves when handling dry ice (UN1845).\n•\nDecontaminate protective clothing and personal protective equipment after use and before cleaning or\ndisposal with a compatible chemical disinfectant (e.g., 10% solution of bleach, equivalent to 0.5% sodium\nhypochlorite) or through a validated decontamination technology (e.g., autoclave) or process.\n•\nStructural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection.\nEVACUATION\nImmediate precautionary measure\n•\nIsolate spill or leak area for at least 25 meters (75 feet) in all directions.\nPage 246\nERG 2024\n\nInfectious Substances\nGUIDE\n158\nEMERGENCY RESPONSE\nFIRE\nSmall Fire\n•\nDry chemical, soda ash, lime or sand.\nLarge Fire\n•\nUse extinguishing agent suitable for type of surrounding fire.\n•\nDo not scatter spilled material with high-pressure water streams.\n•\nIf it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.\nSPILL OR LEAK\n•\nDo not touch or walk through spilled material.\n•\nDo not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing.\n•\nAbsorb with earth, sand or other non-combustible material.\n•\nCover damaged package or spilled material with absorbent material such as paper towel, towel or rag to\nabsorb any liquids, and, beginning from outside edge, pour liquid bleach or other chemical disinfectant to\nsaturate. Keep wet with liquid bleach or other disinfectant.\n•\nDO NOT CLEAN-UP OR DISPOSE OF, EXCEPT UNDER SUPERVISION OF A SPECIALIST.\nFIRST AID\nRefer to the “General First Aid” section.\nSpecific First Aid:\n•\nMove victim to an isolated area if it can be done safely.\nCAUTION: Victim may be a source of contamination.\n•\nIn case of contact with substance, immediately flush eyes with running water and wash skin thoroughly\nwith soap and water. Take caution not to break the skin.\n•\nAdditional decontamination may also be necessary.\n•\nEffects of exposure (inhalation, ingestion, injection/inoculation or skin contact) to substance may be\ndelayed. Victim should consult medical professional for information regarding symptoms and treatment.\nIn Canada, an Emergency Response Assistance Plan (ERAP) may be required for this product.\nPlease consult the shipping paper and/or the \"ERAP\" section.\nERG 2024\nPage 247","truncated":false,"body_characters":4256}