1. You local fire department responded to an incident at the courthouse where about ¼ teaspoon of white powder spilled from an envelope that contained payment for a parking ticket. What level of decontamination is required for the person handling the letter and those in the room?
A. No decontamination.
B. Soap and water wash of hands and areas where powder contaminated.
C. Soap and water wash of everyone in the room.
D. Quarantine the entire building and burn it to prevent spread.
2. The Fire Department notifies you that they are responding to an alarm at the downtown post office. The detector has alerted on a small package being sent to the special agent in charge of the FBI and contains a threatening letter as well as white powder. Three postal employees have arrived at the ED and are requesting decontamination. What do you do?
A. No decontamination.
B. Soap and water decontamination, control clothing.
C. Bleach decontamination of skin.
D. Prescribe Percocet and follow up with Medicine Direct clinic.
3. You hear through the grapevine that BioWatch has had a positive hit for anthrax. What this means is:
A. You should fire up the BioWatch channel on youtube and see what’s shaking.
B. Likely an airborne contaminant.
C. You should take the next few days off.
D. You’re doomed.
Compiled by Dr. John Hick, Medical Director for the Office of Emergency Preparedness with the Minnesota Department of Health.
Contribute your thoughts.