Below are general precautions to take when sampling from land or from a boat, and typical PPEs for sampling HABs. Samplers should have field plans specifying sampling and safety protocols, including identification of appropriate PPEs to minimize exposure while sampling. Organization(s) sampling are responsible for ensuring staff has training in accordance with applicable requirements (federal, state, and/or local).
Samplers are encouraged to minimize potential for contact with HAB impacted water. Before approaching water to be sampled, put on safety glasses, gloves that cover the entire arm (if dipping arm into the water to sample), or nitrile gloves, and rubber boots or waders. Samplers should wear appropriate PPE throughout sample handling, including sample collection and processing (labeling, packaging for shipment, etc.). In order to minimize dermal and inhalation contact while collecting samples nearshore, the best option is to use an extension sampler and remain on land while extending the pole of the sampler into the water.
List of typical PPE and other equipment for HAB sampling:
- Gloves of appropriate length that cover the entire exposed area of the arm (forearm or arm-length).
- Chest waders.
- Safety glasses/splash goggles.
- N95 mask.
- Eye wash bottle (filled).
- First aid kit.
- Plenty of potable water and soap for rinsing the body should an exposure occur.
- Change of clothes.
- Paper towels for wiping.
- Waders/Rubber boots.
- Sample poles.
- Personal Flotation Device (PFD) if working on a vessel, dock, or near turbulent water.
- Garbage bags / zip-top bags to dispose of gloves and other disposable materials.
- Cell phone or other communication tools.
Safe Sampling
Safety plans, including sampling safety requirements and risk prevention, are the responsibility of the
agency or organization conducting the sampling and include factors such as: identification of potential hazards (e.g., weather, animals, flow/discharge schedules), emergency contacts and their phone
numbers, and the location of the nearest emergency facilities. Avoid contact with the suspect water as acute skin and respiratory irritation can occur after short-term exposure to water containing cyanotoxins.
A few universal rules for safe sampling are identified below:
- Do not work alone. A sampling buddy should be within direct visual observation and earshot at all times, especially during potentially hazardous activities.
- When selecting sampling locations, look for safe access, and make sure there are no physical safety barriers, and wade or boat slowly to the sampling location.
- For sampling, particularly waters with algal blooms or confirmed toxin concentrations:
- Avoid water contact with skin and protect your eyes and face from exposure. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) while sampling,
- Shoulder-length gloves should be worn when sampling HABs
- Goggles should be worn to prevent spray from getting into the eyes.
- Avoid splashing and other inadvertent exposure.
- Avoid inhaling spray or getting spray in eyes from boats, wind, or irrigation water from areas with harmful algal blooms. Consider wearing an N95 mask to prevent inhalation of spray if conditions promote formation of water droplets (high wind, fast moving boat).
- Chest waders should also be worn if collecting a cyanotoxin sample when wading off the shore to protect skin from contact with cyanotoxins. A personal floatation device should be worn. When wearing boot-fitted waders, boot straps can be extremely useful.
- If using a boat, always use approved personal flotation devices (PFDs); the boat should be equipped with appropriate and sufficient safety equipment for the crew and passengers, and boat operators should have completed an approved boating safety course.
Cleaning and Decontamination after Sampling:
After sampling, discard all single-use items and consumables (paper towel used for wiping, gloves, syringes, etc.) into garbage bags or zip-top bags and close bags immediately.
- Always wash hands and other exposed areas (arms, legs, etc.) with clean, fresh water and 09o soap after collecting samples, and before starting any other activities, especially before eating.
- Do not touch hands to mouth, eyes, open cuts, or other exposed areas of the body before washing.
- All equipment, gloves, boots, and waders should be rinsed with clean (tap or bottled) water (not lake/stream/river water) after a sampling event.
- Use appropriate decontamination protocols between each station to prevent cross contamination and the spread of invasive species.
Field Crew Exposure
In the event that water potentially containing toxins comes in contact with the skin, rinse the exposed area right away with fresh water to minimize uptake of the toxin, clean with soap, and rinse again multiple times. If the eyes are exposed, immediately use the eyewash bottle to rinse out the eyes.
In the event that a field crew member exposed to toxin becomes ill, seek medical attention and inform them of potential exposure to cyanobacteria, algae, and/or toxins. All incidents should be reported to your program’s health and safety coordinator, field manager and/or supervisor.
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