What are the levels of personnel protective equipment (PPE) used during hazardous materials incidents?

The correct answer identifies the established levels of personal protective equipment (PPE) used in hazardous materials incidents, which are Levels A, B, C, and D. These levels reflect the varying degrees of protection required based on the nature of the hazardous materials present and the risk of exposure.

Level A provides the highest level of protection, encapsulating the entire body against vapors, gases, and liquid splashes; it is utilized when the highest level of respiratory, skin, and eye protection is required. Level B offers a lesser degree of protection, suitable when chemical exposure cannot be determined but is known to be present. Level C allows for a lower level of protection and is used when the type of airborne substances is known and the criteria for air-purifying respirators can be met. Level D is the least protective equipment, typically used for nuisance contamination where there is no potential for exposure to hazardous materials.

The other options do not align with the recognized classification system for PPE used in hazardous materials incidents. The numerical levels may imply various types of classifications but do not correspond to the established categories. Similarly, the designations of High, Medium, and Low do not provide the specificity needed in hazardous material response protocols, and the lettered levels X, Y