In this episode, Mark Reggers discusses Fentanyl Risks for First Responders with guest Brad Prezant. Brad, an occupational hygienist, is the Chief Scientific Officer for ValidAir Sciences.

Fentanyl is a potent synthetic medication that belongs to a group of drugs known as opioids. Opioids interact with opioid receptors in the brain and evoke a spectrum of responses within the body to treat pain. More recently, however, the abuse of illicitly produced fentanyl poses a risk of exposure to first responders who are required to attend crime and/or medical emergencies.

Guest Bio:

Brad Prezant (pictured left with host Mark Reggers) is a Certified Occupational Hygienist, public health scientist and epidemiology expert with 35 years of experience assessing indoor environments for a variety of concerns including mould, moisture, methamphetamine, asbestos, lead and indoor air quality.

He is an author and contributor to many international published technical articles addressing issues of mould, moisture and building contamination and was the chief editor of the AIHA 2008 bestseller, “Recognition, Evaluation and Control of Indoor Mold”.

Throughout his teaching career in the US (1982-2006) Brad and his company Prezant Associates taught more than 70,000 professionals worldwide to understand asbestos, hazardous materials, and mould in the built environment. A qualified teacher who loves combining his interest of people with his passion for science, Brad has a way of making complex scientific principles easy to understand.

Brad is the Chief Scientific Officer for ValidAir Sciences and sits as the Vice-President (Practice) of the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate (ISIAQ). He maintains familiarity with international research and best practice as it relates to contamination in the built environment.

Brad has been involved in assessing clandestine laboratories since 1992, and was involved in some of the first comprehensive assessments in Washington State (U.S.). He has been a featured speaker at relevant occupational health conferences on the topic of proper assessment techniques for clandestine drug laboratories.

LinkedIn Profile

 

In this episode, Mark & Brad discuss the following:

• What is fentanyl and what is different about fentanyl in comparison to other drugs?
• Are Fentanyl risks increasing in society?
• What occupations are most at risk from fentanyl exposures?
• What are typical exposure levels for those at risk workers?
• What are the potential health effects from fentanyl?
• Is there a workplace exposure standard for fentanyl?
• When dealing with potential fentanyl exposure, what controls should be in place for first responders and what type of equipment and safety equipment would be suitable?
• Are there remediation standards for fentanyl?
• Is fentanyl manufacture similar to methamphetamine manufacture?
• Are there specific first aid procedures for fentanyl?
• Are there other similar drugs worse than fentanyl?
• Where can listeners go to get further information on fentanyl risks?

The trafficking, distribution, and abuse of illegally produced fentanyl has not only led to an increase in overdose fatalities due to illicit use, but also an increase in exposure to a variety of workers and their workplaces. From law enforcement, healthcare workers and first responders such as firefighters or ambulance personnel through to customs officers and postal workers, all are at risk of potential exposure and the likely negative health effects during the course of their work when fentanyl is involved. Tune in as we look further into the issue of occupational exposure to fentanyl and the controls measures and protective safety equipment required to keep first responders safe.

Additional Resources:

• Podcast Transcript
• Alcohol and Drug Foundation - Fentanyl
• Fentanyl Risks for First Responders (Canada)
• NIOSH – Fentanyl (US)
• Drug Enforcement Agency – Fentanyl (US)
• NIOSH Science Blog June 2018 - Fentanyls and the Safety of First Responders: Science and Recommendations
• 3M Centre for Respiratory Protection
• VA Sciences

Contact a 3M Safety Specialist at scienceofsafetyanz@mmm.com for more information.