The goal was to determine composite fiber and chemical exposure to advanced composite material during the activities in a mishap recovery, investigation, clean up, etc, Melissa instructed. The group burned two A-6 wing tips after crushing them with a bulldozer to simulate crash conditions. After a total of three composite burns, the crew performed recovery procedures. Melissa served as a field technician and collected air samples, which were then sent to a lab for analysis. In this case we were sampling for chemicals that would be present during an aircraft crash, Melissa explains.
Air sampling allows an industrial hygienist to determine the exposure levels of certain chemicals.
Personal air sampling determines the amount of chemicals in the immediate breathing area of a person, and area air sampling determines chemical presence in a whole area. She then went on to explain since the activity was a simulation, the recovery team walked around the area, while wearing sampling pumps, and rummaged through debris. The analysis report is being prepared, and the information will be provided to recovery personnel for the appropriate personal protective equipment and respiratory protection, Melissa says. While working on her senior project, which was based on safety issues in the neonatal intensive care unit, Melissa says she didn t imagine working in this field. I jumped on it right away.