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

Occupational Health and the Chemical Surety Missionprogram, presenting a risk communication challengefor the Army. This communication challenge has leadto the development of active public outreach officesstaffed with knowledgeable teams to answer questionsand provide informational materials. These outreachteams have fostered an environment of trust and cooperationamong the Department of Defense and thecitizens that it serves.SUMMARYThe unique challenges of handling chemical warfareagents and aging munitions while protecting the healthof chemical workers requires thorough knowledgeof occupational medicine and of chemical agents. Italso involves the interaction of multiple professionalgroups, such as physicians, industrial hygienists,safety officers, surety officers, and certifying officials.Lack of communication between these groups and thecommunity can pose significant risk, especially in thechemical demilitarization process. Healthcare providerscan play an important role in reducing this risk byproviding information to communities and buildingconfidence in the US Army’s ability to safely destroychemical agents.REFERENCES1. US Department of the Army. Chemical Surety. Washington, DC: DA; 2001. Army Regulation 50-6.2. US Department of the Army. Chemical Accident or Incident Response and Assistance (CAIRA) Operations. Washington,DC: DA; March 2003. DA PAM 50-6.3. US Department of the Army. Occupational Health Guidelines for the Evaluation and Control of Occupational Exposure toNerve Agents GA, GB, GD, and VX. Washington, DC: DA; 1990. DA PAM 40-8.4. US Department of the Army. Occupational Health Guidelines for the Evaluation and Control of Occupational Exposure toMustard Agents H, HD, and HT. Washington, DC: DA; 2003. DA PAM 40-173.5. US Department of the Army. The Army Chemical Agent Safety Program. Washington, DC: DA; 2001. Army Regulation385-61.6. US Department of the Army. Toxic Chemical Agent Safety Standards. Washington, DC: DA; 2002. DA PAM 385-61.7. McCunney RJ. Handbook of Occupational Medicine. Boston, Mass: Little, Brown and Co; 1988.8. 5 CFR, Part 339.9. Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 USC §12101 (1990).10. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. Occupational Safety and Health Guidance Manual for HazardousWaste Site Activities. Cincinnati, Ohio: NIOSH; 1985.11. US Department of the Army. Interim Guidance for Decontamination and Medical Services in Support of Nerve and MustardAgent Operations. Washington, DC: DA. Memorandum, 10 June 2003.12. US Department of the Army. Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP). Washington, DC: DA; 2006. Army Regulation600-85.13. Executive Order 12564, “Drug-Free Workplace,” Federal Register 51 (1986): No. 180.14. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure toHot Environments. Revised Criteria. Cincinnati, Ohio: NIOSH; 1986.15. Greenleaf JE, Harrison MH. Water and electrolytes. In: Layman DK, ed. Exercise, Nutrition and Health. Washington,DC: American Chemical Society; 1986: 107–123.611