Sanitarian / Environmental Specialist Practice Exam

Entering an oxygen deficient area poses significant hazards due to the lack of sufficient breathable air. The correct choice of personal protective equipment (PPE) in this scenario is Level A.

Level A protection is necessary when there is a potential for direct exposure to hazardous materials that pose a serious threat to health, such as situations with unknown atmospheric hazards, including oxygen deficiency. This level of PPE includes a fully encapsulated suit, which provides the highest level of protection against chemical and atmospheric hazards, often paired with a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) that ensures an adequate supply of oxygen.

In environments where the oxygen levels are below safe thresholds, simply having respiratory protection or less comprehensive gear, like in Level B or C, would be inadequate. Level D is even less protective and is intended for minimal hazard environments, making it unsuitable for oxygen deficient areas where protective measures must encompass both respiratory safety and overall bodily protection. Thus, Level A is the appropriate choice for entering and safely navigating oxygen deficient areas.