Which of the following is NOT considered a category of blast injury?

The correct response identifies environmental blast injury as a category that is not recognized in the classification of blast injuries. The established categories of blast injuries typically include primary, secondary, and tertiary injuries, each defined by the mechanisms involved in the injury process.

Primary blast injuries arise from the direct effects of the blast wave on the body, particularly affecting gas-filled organs such as the lungs and ears. Secondary blast injuries are caused by flying debris or shrapnel propelled by the explosion, impacting individuals at the blast site. Tertiary blast injuries occur when a person is thrown by the force of the explosion and subsequently strikes a surface or is otherwise displaced.

In contrast, environmental blast injury does not fit within these recognized categories. While injuries related to the environment, such as exposure to hazards following a blast (like fire, toxic fumes, or structural collapse), can occur, they are not classified as injuries resulting specifically from the blast itself. Thus, the distinction in terminology underscores the reason that environmental blast injury is considered outside the formal categories of blast injuries.