VX

Recommendations for Personal Protective Equipment /PPE/ should be based on a site-based job hazard analysis of possible hazards including skin contact, air concentrations, heat stress, etc. All PPE should be used with appropriate additional administrative controls including medical surveillance, employee training, respirator fit-testing, and decontamination procedures to limit the potential for unforeseen adverse effects. /Nerve Agents/PPE for Emergency Responses Based Upon EPA's AEGLs

Protection Required	Concentration of VX
SKIN. If no splash or contact hazard: (1) General washable work clothing or disposable coverall; (2) Washable or disposable boots and gloves for general purpose protection.	<AEGL-1 (durations of 10 & 30 min and 1, 4, & 8 hr) to <50 x 8 hr AEGL-1
SKIN. If skin contact with liquid is a possibility: (1) Boots and gloves are mandatory; (2) Other chemical clothing required based on hazard assessment. Butyl rubber or layered impervious clothing which has received material and construction performance testing against VX also required.	<AEGL-1 to <50 x 8 hr AEGL-1
SKIN. Level A/B protection /depending on vapor concentration/ ... Skin contact more likely with higher air levels. Butyl rubber or layered impervious clothing which has received material and construction performance testing against VX	>50 x 8 hr AEGL-1
AIR. Any CBRN-approved or CWA tested Powered Air Purifying Loose Fitting Facepiece, hood or helmet and a NIOSH-approved CBRN filter or a combination organic vapor, acid gas, particulate cartridge/filter or any CBRN-approved or CWA tested Continuous Flow respirator with a Loose Fitting Facepiece, hood or helmet.	>AEGL-1 but <25 x 8 hr AEGL-1
AIR. Any CBRN-approved or CWA tested Tight Fitting Air Purifying or Powered Air Purifying Full Facepiece	>25 x 8 hr AEGL-1 but <50 x 8-hr AEGL-1
AIR. Any CBRN-approved or CWA tested Self Contained Breathing Apparatus with a Full Facepiece operated in a Pressure Demand Mode or any CBRN-approved or CWA tested Supplied Air Respirator with a Full Facepiece operated in a Pressure Demand Mode with an Auxiliary Escape Bottle	>50 x 8 hr AEGL-1

Personal Protective Requirements: "G" series Nerve Agents pose both a severe respiratory and severe contact hazard. Wear appropriate fully encapsulating protective gear with positive pressure self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Structural firefighters' protective clothing is recommended for fire situations only; it is not effective in spill or release events. Thickened agents pose a less significant vapor hazard but a much more significant contact hazard. /"G" Series Nerve Agents/

Hold breath until respiratory protective mask is donned. Fire-Fighting personnel should wear full protective clothing and respiratory protection during fire fighting and rescue. Pressure demand, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) (SCBA CBRN, if available) is recommended in response to non-routine emergency situations. CBRN, Full Facepiece APR (when available) is recommended in non-routine, emergency situation environments less than IDLH but above REL or PEL levels.