ABSTRACT
Since the very first response to an explosion or bomb scene, first responders and investigators have been acutely aware of the hazards associated with these scenes. The risks of fire, structural collapse, presence of explosives, and secondary devices are evident. As the number of incidents and scale of destruction have increased through the years, so have the hazards. Some were always possible, but due to the lack of adequate technology, science, and understanding, they were not recognized. These include disease associated with the blood and bodily fluids of the victims, gases resulting from the explosion, industrial chemicals, and suspended particulate matter in the form of asbestos.
