Guidance

[Withdrawn] Fentanyl: safety recommendations for first responders

Evidence-based recommendations to protect first responders from exposure to fentanyl.

This guidance was withdrawn on

This publication has been withdrawn because it바카라 사이트™s out of date.

The misuse of drugs containing fentanyl has . As a first responder (law enforcement, fire, rescue, paramedic and emergency department personnel) you may encounter fentanyl in your work, such as responding to overdose calls, conducting traffic stops, arrests and searches.

What you need to know

What you need to know about fentanyl is that:

  • it can be present in a variety of forms (powders, tablets, capsules, solutions, patches and rocks)
  • incidental skin contact is unlikely to lead to harmful effects, especially if the contaminated skin is promptly washed with water
  • inhaling airborne powder is the route most likely to lead to harmful effects, but is less likely to occur than skin contact
  • personal protective equipment (PPE) is effective in protecting you from exposure
  • slow breathing or no breathing, drowsiness or unresponsiveness, and constricted or pinpoint pupils may be signs of fentanyl intoxication
  • naloxone is an effective medication that rapidly reverses the effects of fentanyl

Actions to take

To protect yourself from exposure you should:

  • wear gloves when you suspect the presence of fentanyl
  • avoid actions that could cause powder to become airborne
  • use properly-fitted, British Standard (BS) approved respiratory equipment (mask and filter), wear eye protection, and minimise skin contact when responding to a situation where small amounts of suspected fentanyl are visible and may become airborne (for example, during a police drugs raid or overdose in an area where fentanyl is known to be available)
  • follow your department바카라 사이트™s guidelines if the scene involves large amounts of suspected fentanyl (for example at a distribution or storage facility, pill milling operation or clandestine laboratory, or in cases of gross contamination, spill or release)

When exposure occurs you should:

  • prevent further contamination and notify other first responders and dispatchers
  • never touch your eyes, mouth, nose or any skin after touching any potentially contaminated surface
  • wash exposed skin thoroughly with cool water and soap if available 바카라 사이트“ do not use hand sanitisers as they may enhance absorption
  • wash your hands thoroughly after the incident and before eating, drinking, smoking, or using the toilet
  • follow your department바카라 사이트™s guidelines for decontamination if you suspect your clothing, shoes or PPE may be contaminated

If you or other first responders exhibit:

  • drowsiness or unresponsiveness
  • constricted or pinpoint pupils
  • slow breathing or no breathing

Then you or other first responders need to:

  1. Move away from the source of exposure and call an ambulance.
  2. Administer naloxone according to your department protocols 바카라 사이트“ multiple doses may be required.
  3. If naloxone is not available, rescue breathing can be a lifesaving measure until the ambulance arrives 바카라 사이트“ use standard basic life support safety precautions (pocket mask, gloves) to address the exposure risk.
  4. If needed, start CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and continue until the ambulance arrives.

Background

This document was adapted from US guide .

For the purposes of this document, the term 바카라 사이트˜fentanyl바카라 사이트™ is used to refer to fentanyl itself, fentanyl analogues (for example, acetylfentanyl, acrylfentanyl, carfentanyl, furanylfentanyl), novel synthetic opioids (such as U-47700), and other drugs that may be adulterated or contaminated with these substances.

Fentanyl itself, and especially 바카라 사이트˜fentanyl바카라 사이트™ in the names of its analogues, may also be spelt fentanil, especially in US documents, but this use of an 바카라 사이트˜i바카라 사이트™ is commonly mixed and inconsistent. For simplicity and consistency, we have kept to the 바카라 사이트˜y바카라 사이트™ spelling for fentanyl and all its analogues.

Further Information

Public Health England바카라 사이트™s blog on .

TOXBASE: Clinical toxicology database of the UK National Poisons Information Service provides advice on the features and management of poisoning. It can be accessed at and an app can be purchased from app stores.

Health and Safety Executive바카라 사이트™s guidance on .

The US Drug Enforcement Administration바카라 사이트™s .

The UK National Crime Agency바카라 사이트™s reports and .

Updates to this page

Published 23 August 2018
Last updated 14 March 2025 show all updates
  1. Publication withdrawn as it's out of date.

  2. First published.

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