Medical Aspects of Chemical Warfare (2008) - The Black Vault

Medical Aspects of Chemical WarfareabM41 Protection Assessment Test SystemThe protective masks issued to members of the USarmed forces protect the individual’s face, eyes, andrespiratory tract from field concentrations of chemicaland biological agents, toxins, and radioactive falloutparticles. Several critical steps must be taken to ensurethat an assigned mask will function properly in a toxicchemical environment:• select the correct mask size,• properly fit the selected mask,• validate the mask protection,• train the user in the proper wear and use ofthe mask, and• perform preventive maintenance checks onthe mask as required.The M41 PATS, designed to validate the protectionafforded by the M40, M45, MCU-2/P seriesand JSPGM masks, is a miniature, continuous flow,condensation nuclei counter. PATS samples particlesfrom ambient air and compares them with particles inthe air contained inside the wearer’s mask. The resultingnumerical values are then used to determine theprotection factor of the mask. To pass the test, a maskFig. 17-4. (a) Modern protective masks have a nose cup witha single large hole in the center through which exhaled airis expelled on its way to the exit valve in the main mask.Inhaled air, which has passed through the canister, passesup and around the side of the nose cup, preventing foggingof the mask’s lenses, after which it passes through the valveon its way to the user’s respiratory tract. (b) Location of thenose cup of the M40A1 mask.Photographs: Courtesy of the Chemical Casualty CareDivision, US Army Medical Research Institute of ChemicalDefense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.must to provide a protection factor of at least 1,667 forthe Army, Navy, and Air Force, and at least 2,000 forthe Marine Corps. 14,15PATS ensures that the mask is the proper size forthe individual wearer and that the mask system hasno critical leaks caused by missing or defective partsor improper maintenance. 1 PATS is compatible withmasks that have a NATO drink tube quick disconnect.Two PATS, located at the headquarters company,are fielded for each battalion-sized unit. One PATS isfielded for each separate company-sized unit. PATS isused by the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, USsurety sites, and foreign military sales clients. 14,15Joint Service Mask Leakage TesterThe joint service mask leakage tester (JSMLT) is aportable device capable of determining serviceabilityand proper fit, and identifying defective componentsof current and future chemical, biological, and radiological(CBR) negative pressure protective masks. Thissystem combines all these features in one unit, providinga capability currently not available in the field to564