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

Medical Aspects of Chemical WarfareTOXIC INDUSTRIAL MATERIAL PROTECTIONTIM, especially TICs, are often available in enormousquantities, do not require extensive research, and canbe mass-produced. TIM, which can be released fromindustrial plants or storage depots through accidentalor deliberate damage, can be used as improvised weaponsand have the potential for inclusion in clandestineweapons programs or contingency plans. Deliberateor inadvertent release of TIM significantly increaseshazards to the indigenous population and deployedUS forces. Military personal protection, detection, andmedical countermeasures are not specifically designedfor TIM hazards. Often there are no specific antidotesfor TICs. Each TIM should be evaluated individuallyto establish protection and response procedures andto select associated equipment requirements. 29equipment to potential user groups depends on thecharacteristics of the detection equipment, the type ofTIM, and the objective of the user. 31 Standard militarychemical detectors are designed only to detect chemicalagents. Detection of TICs can, in some circumstances,be made by in-service military chemical detectionsystems.Several industrial detectors are available for therapid detection of specific industrial chemicals. Detectorssuch as Dräger-Tubes (Draeger Safety Inc,Luebeck, Germany) can be used for detecting and determiningthe concentration of a large number of dan-Individual ProtectionMilitary individual protective equipment (IPE) isdesigned to protect personnel from CBR agents ina combat environment, but it provides only limitedprotection from other hazards. Personnel equippedwith standard military IPE are not protected in a TICenvironment and should seek a clean area as soon aspossible. The military chemical protective mask doesnot afford sufficient protection within the immediatehazard zone, where extremely high concentrations ofindustrial chemicals such as ammonia may occur andwhere the lack of oxygen requires a self-containedbreathing apparatus (Figure 17-26). The military respiratorshould only be used for emergency protectionagainst the immediate effects of a toxic release andduring evacuation from the immediate hazard zone. 30When planning for operations in areas where TIM maybe present, commanders must include considerationsof the potential hazards and the appropriate level ofprotection and equipment for effective response.The US Environmental Protection Agency hasestablished four levels of protection, A, B, C, andD, according to 29 CFR 1910.120. The OccupationalSafety and Health Administration and the NationalFire Protection Agency have developed guidelines foreach level. The level of skin and respiratory protectionprovided by the selected chemical protective ensembledetermines the protection furnished to the responder(see Chapter 16, Decontamination of Chemical Casualties,Exhibit 16-3). 14Detection and IdentificationNumerous technologies are available for the detectionand identification of TIM. The applicability of thisFig. 17-26. The self-contained breathing apparatus is usedwhen the highest level of respiratory protection is necessary.Photograph: Courtesy of the Chemical Casualty Care Division,US Army Medical Research Institute of ChemicalDefense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.580