What is one of the primary goals of air-monitoring in haz-mat situations?

The primary goal of air-monitoring in hazardous materials situations is to determine the potential impact on public health. Air monitoring enables responders to identify the presence and concentrations of hazardous substances in the air, which helps in assessing the risks to individuals who may be exposed, including both emergency responders and the general public.

By measuring specific contaminants and their levels, responders can make informed decisions regarding evacuation, protective actions, and the implementation of safety measures, thereby minimizing health risks. Moreover, understanding the air quality can help in creating effective communication about safety concerns to the public and other stakeholders, blending both immediate response needs with broader health considerations.

While other options touch on related aspects of incident management, they do not represent the primary aim of air-monitoring. For instance, while assessing evacuation procedures and establishing communication channels are necessary in emergency management, those tasks are not the main focus of air monitoring itself, which is fundamentally about evaluating air safety and public health risk related to hazardous materials. Eliminating the use of hazardous materials is an ideal objective but not a direct goal of air-monitoring in response scenarios.