Online Tool Helps First Responders ID Hazardous Chemicals

  • Oct 28, 2011

Exposure to hazardous chemicals can cause serious illness quickly, but emergency medical providers often don’t know the key piece of information that determines treatment: Which of the tens of thousands of toxic chemicals is making patients sick?

A new online tool will help paramedics, nurses, emergency physicians and other first responders more rapidly identify the group of chemicals causing patients to become ill. This will allow them to begin treatment sooner during large-scale toxic chemical exposures caused by accidents or terrorist attacks.

Mark Kirk, MD, an associate professor of emergency medicine with the University of Virginia Health System who also works for the Department of Homeland Security, led the development of the Chemical Hazards Emergency Medical Management Intelligent Syndromes Tool (CHEMM-IST) with members of the National Library of Medicine.

How CHEMM-IST helps first responders

The tool works by dividing toxic chemicals into groups based on the symptoms they cause, Kirk says. First responders answer a series of questions about the symptoms patients are experiencing. CHEMM-IST uses those answers to determine which group of chemicals is most likely causing the illness, recommend initial treatments and detail how rescue workers should protect themselves against exposure to the chemicals.

First responders armed with this information can safely begin providing the most effective treatment sooner before the hazardous chemical is precisely identified, which can help provide better outcomes for patients and may help save victims’ lives. “CHEMM-IST helps you fill that knowledge gap until you know exactly what you’re dealing with,” he says.

CHEMM-IST, which is part of the National Library of Medicine’s broader Chemical Hazards Emergency Medical Management program, is now undergoing validation and testing by emergency medical personnel. Smart phone applications will soon be available to make it easier for emergency medical workers to access the tool at the scene of a chemical exposure.

Featured

  • Security Today Announces 2025 CyberSecured Award Winners

    Security Today is pleased to announce the 2025 CyberSecured Awards winners. Sixteen companies are being recognized this year for their network products and other cybersecurity initiatives that secure our world today. Read Now

  • Empowering and Securing a Mobile Workforce

    What happens when technology lets you work anywhere – but exposes you to security threats everywhere? This is the reality of modern work. No longer tethered to desks, work happens everywhere – in the office, from home, on the road, and in countless locations in between. Read Now

  • TSA Introduces New $45 Fee Option for Travelers Without REAL ID Starting February 1

    The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that it will refer all passengers who do not present an acceptable form of ID and still want to fly an option to pay a $45 fee to use a modernized alternative identity verification system, TSA Confirm.ID, to establish identity at security checkpoints beginning on February 1, 2026. Read Now

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.