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| UER Forum > Rookie Forum > What safety precautions do you use when exploring brownfields? (Viewed 2850 times) |
DarkAngel
Gender: Male Total Likes: 275 likes
His operating system is unstable.
| | | Re: What safety precautions do you use when exploring brownfields? < Reply # 1 on 7/13/2016 2:45 AM > | Reply with Quote
| | | If I know I'm going to be going into a contaminated site, I sure as hell do my research as to what is there. Some precautions won't do shit while others will handle most, but it all depends on the issues there. At bare minimum, tyvek covers for shoes, nitrile gloves, a respirator, and a good cleaning on *everything* that went in with me. Includes the camera gear, etc. Just washing your shoes won't get anywhere near all the particulates out of the treads, so you are tracking that contamination everywhere. Washing clothes works okay, but it's guaranteed. But that all depends on what the contaminant is. Brownfields cover a huge variety of chemicals from oil deposits to god knows what. Finding out what's on the site could save your life. Considering my health is already fucked, I personally won't set foot on one without knowing exactly what the contamination is, and how to prep for it. (Then again, I took a fair amount of hazmat classes)
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| Aran
Location: Kansas City Gender: Male Total Likes: 1839 likes
Huh. I guess covid made me a trendsetter.
| | | Re: What safety precautions do you use when exploring brownfields? < Reply # 4 on 11/14/2016 12:57 PM > | Reply with Quote
| | | I've explored a brownfield site before. The site in question was an old paper mill, and as anyone who's explored one can attest, they can contain some nasty stuff.
I'll preface this by saying that I know first hand how nasty even the mild chemicals are. In paper mills, the lime dust (calcium chloride) gets everywhere. Absolutely everywhere. Calcium chloride is mildly itchy when dry, but when wet turns into a caustic solution. I was exploring without gloves and my palms were sweaty. Cue chemical burns. I couldn't wash it off for twenty minutes until I got home, where I had access to vinegar (to neutralize the base) and water. While it was no more serious than a sunburn, that was one of the more benign chemicals at such a site.
So, precautions. I always wear gloves when exploring, no matter what. They protect (to an extent) against broken glass, rusty nails, insects, disgusting substances, and other unpleasantness. They also can help protect against hazardous chemicals. I also would strongly recommend thick pants such as jeans, and a coat or sweatshirt to provide an additional barrier between your body and the chemicals you may encounter. A hat is helpful too, to keep stuff out of your hair.
For lung protection, I used a paper dust mask because it was all I had on hand. If given the choice, a half- face respirator with the proper filter is preferable. Also, water is good to help wash off most chemicals (though not all). Work or hiking boots with the pants tucked into the socks can help. Wear eye protection if you think you need it.
Lastly, the best possible defense is knowledge. Thoroughly research what you might encounter, and learn to recognize the presence of every hazardous chemical you may run into. Do not ignore warning signs- just because the location is abandoned does not mean residue can't remain. And don't stir up the dust.
Be sure to wash everything thoroughly when you get home, and remember- prevention is the best cure. If it looks too dangerous, it most certainly is.
[last edit 11/14/2016 12:57 PM by Aran - edited 1 times]
| "Sorry, I didn't know I'm not supposed to be here," he said, knowing full well he wasn't supposed to be there. |
| Aran
Location: Kansas City Gender: Male Total Likes: 1839 likes
Huh. I guess covid made me a trendsetter.
| | | Re: What safety precautions do you use when exploring brownfields? < Reply # 6 on 11/14/2016 10:32 PM > | Reply with Quote
| | | Posted by blackhawk Lime is nothing. At paper mills you have sodium hydroxide, possibly very strong bleaching agents such as hypochlorite (liquid, flaked, pellets,powder) chlorine (gas) or chlorine dioxide(gas); deadly. The caustic, sodium hydroxide (lye) is of particular concern. Any puddles of water on the floor or tanks, etc could be a concentrated solution of sodium hydroxide. As stated in my previous post...
| Yep, like I said- Lime is one of the nicest chemicals you'll find in paper mills. Precautions should be taken as it can be nearly impossible to avoid it if you plan to touch anything (ladders, door knobs, etc), but paper mills are by far one of the most dangerous types of locations to explore due to the reasons you listed.
| "Sorry, I didn't know I'm not supposed to be here," he said, knowing full well he wasn't supposed to be there. |
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