Methane Gas Leak in Los Angeles

Right now, there is a methane leak in Los Angeles that is mixing with solar heat and producing formaldehyde. This formaldehyde is being consumed by the surrounding area population by inhalation. Because of the magnitude of this situation, it is important for emergency responders to have a plan set in place so employees, employers, the surrounding area, and the responders are conducting tasks safely when trying to eliminate the hazard. For this incidence, it is extremely important to have blue print copy of the surrounding land in order to plan when and where the boundaries employers can be located safetly. Employees and safety responders must suit up in a Self Containing Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) suit to promote safe and healthy air quality while working with methane and formaldehyde. Because formaldehyde is so dangerous when inhaled, safety responders must complete safety tasks in intervals of 15 minutes due to the REL's. There must not be any combustibles in the surrounding area, for this chemical is highly combustible and has a boiling point of -19.5 degrees Celcius. It also has a melting point of -92 degrees Celcius and a flash  point of 185 degrees Fahrenhieht. There should be a "safe zone" with an enclosed air tight end to ensure safety for employers and safety repsonders. This area can also be used for changing/replacing air tanks and providing fresh water and medical attention as needed. The medical examiners in the safe zone should also promote and complete biological testing. The research team should be composed of two parts; environmental aspects and community aspects. For environmental research, safety responders are devoted to air, water, and waste detecting and are solely responsible for making sure levels are controllable. They will conduct air quality testing as well as water quality testing in surrounding bodies of water. The community research aspect is responsible for conducting health surveys and researching the effect on reported cases of formaldehyde symptoms. In the surrounding area the hazards include methane, benzene, radon, formaldehyde, and sunlight. There must be Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when dealing with any involvement in the area. GHS classification states that formaldehyde is toxic, causes cancer, skin irritation, it can be harmful if swallowed or inhabited, it is combustible and harmful to aquatic life. Formaldehyde is a colorless gas/liquid with a pungent odor, and can be sometimes white or solid. It is soluble in alcohol, ether, acetone, benzene, and water. It produces decomposition products that consist of carbon monoxide and dioxide. Its toxicity is acute oral toxicity of about 42mg/kg. The REL states that it is a suspected human carcinogen. It's short-term exposure consists of irritation to eyes and respiratory tract along with lung odema. The long-term exposure consists of inflammation of respiratory tract and dermatitis. The lower exposure limit is 7% and the higher exposure limit is 73%. There also needs to be radioactive protection from the exposure to formaldehyde due to radon exposure. Worker health effects and direct reading instruments are very important especially for this incidence in Los Angeles.

Methane leak in Los Angeles

(http://thecelestialconvergence.blogspot.com/2016/02/monumental-disaster-alert-biggest_10.html)

Formaldehyde Exposure

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4Vu4z5iQQ8)