A responder who has come in contact with hazardous material by handling a tool used to stop a leak experiences which type of contamination?

When a responder handles a tool that has come into contact with a hazardous material, the situation is classified as secondary contamination. This type of contamination occurs when a person comes into contact with a contaminated object or surface, rather than coming into direct contact with the hazardous material itself.

In this case, the tool serves as a vehicle for the hazardous substance, transferring it to the responder. The initial exposure may have occurred during the leak, affecting the tool used to mitigate it. Therefore, the responder is not contaminated directly from the source of the hazardous material; instead, they pick up the contamination through the tool that was previously contaminated. This highlights the importance of using personal protective equipment and ensuring decontamination protocols are followed, as secondary contamination can also pose significant risks to responders and others in the vicinity.