Chemical Agent Identification Sets CAIS

Olajos EJ, Olson CT, Salem H, Singer AW, Hayes TL, Menton RG, Miller TL, Rosso T, Maclver B. Evaluation of neutralized chemical agent identification sets (CAIS) for skin injury with an overview of the vesicant potential of agent degradation products. J Appl Toxicol. 1998 Nov-Dec 18(6) 409-20)... 

Chemical agent identification sets (CAIS), which were also disposed of by burial and are frequently found, are also NSCWM.4 CAIS are kits consisting of small vials or ampules of diluted or full-strength chemical agents that were used by the U.S. Army for training troops to recognize the odor and the effects of CWM. 

As of 1996, the Army had located 168 potential burial sites at 63 locations in 31 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia (U.S. Army, 1996). Of the 63 locations, most are current or former military facilities. They include (1) sites with chemical agent identification sets (CAIS) only, (2) sites with small quantities of materiel with no associated explosives, (3) sites with small quantities of materiel with explosives, and (4) sites with large quantities of materiel with and without explosives. The majority of the sites involve small quantities of materiel. 

As discussed in Chapter 1, non-stockpile sites span a considerable range—from sites at which large numbers of nonstockpile munitions are buried or stored, to sites containing only a few chemical agent identification set (CAIS) vials or... 

The rapid response system (RRS) is a trailer-mounted chemical treatment system designed specifically to dispose of chemical agent identification sets (CAIS) at the locations where they are found. The operation of the RRS and technological options for destruction of secondary waste streams produced by the neutralization of CAIS were reviewed previously by this committee (NRC, 1999a, 2001a). The RRS can either be driven to or flown to locations where CAIS have been recovered. Transporting by air requires the use of two C-141 aircraft (one for the RRS operations and utility trailers and one for transporters), a supply trailer, and a mobile analytical support laboratory. 

Chemical agent identification sets (CAIS) were produced in large quantities (approximately 110,000) and in various configurations from 1928 through 1969. The configurations included the following ... 

One option is to transport untreated non-stockpile CWM to the closest available mobile treatment system, regional treatment facility, or other fixed site treatment facility, including stockpile treatment facilities. This would prevent the need to make the substantial investment of time and resources to move transportable facilities to every CWM location, especially for small quantities of chemical agent identification sets (CAIS) or other NSCWM that are discovered in remote locations. Regardless of the intended destination, such transportation wonld, however, reqnire compliance with the stringent laws and regnlations applicable to any chemical warfare materiel. 

One unique problem involves the Chemical Agent Identification Sets (CAIS). These sets contain chemical agent samples in glass ampoules, which are very stable until broken. Of the 110,000 CAIS produced, only 21,458 have been recovered with many of the rest presumed buried. Although these sets are small, many sets have been found buried in single locations. Therefore, a backhoe, for example, could release lethal quantities of mixed agents during an excavation. 

Does not include suspect incidence of Chemical Agent Identification Sets (CAIS). These sets were training aids containing vials of various chemical warfare agents. See USACMDA (1993 a,b) for more detailed explanation. Agent GD (soman), pinacolyl methyl phosphonofluoridate, is a lethal anticholinesterase and is known from only one stockpile site. 

The RRS is a mobile glove box designed to dispose of chemical agent identification sets (CAIS). CAIS are test kits used from 1928 to 1969 to train soldiers in chemical warfare. The sets contain small amounts of mustard and lewisite and a variety of highly toxic industrial chemicals. 

Figure 1. Chemical Agent Identification Sets (CAIS). The upper left depicts the bulk mustard set which was used for decontamination training. The upper right hand comer shows the Pyrex tubes which were used outside to train soldiers how to recognize agent clouds. The "sniff sets" are shown in the lower left comer. These sets were used to train soldiers how to recognize the smell of chemical agents.

The Committee on Review and Evaluation of the Army Non-Stockpile Chemical Materiel Disposal Program was appointed by the National Research Council (NRC) to conduct studies on technical aspects of the U.S. Army Non-Stockpile Chemical Materiel Disposal Program. During its first year, the committee evaluated the Army s plans to dispose of chemical agent identification sets (CAIS)—test kits used for training soldiers. During this second year, the committee has evaluated nonincineration technologies that could be used for the treatment of wastes from the neutralization of nonstockpile materiel. 

Rapid Response System (RRS) Chemical Agent Identification Sets (CAIS). Full-scale prototype designed and assembled testing was completed summer 2000, however, the results were not available for inclusion in this report. 

Morgan, E.W., R.A. Renne, B. McVeety, R. Johnson, R.L. Phelps, F-S. Yin, J.T. Pierce, J. Blessing, P.W. Mellick, E.J. Olajos, and H. Salem. 1997. Head-Only Inhalation Toxicity Study (LC50) of Chemical Agent Identification Sets (CAIS) Red Process Waste Streams in Rats. 

Old Chemical Weapons Reference Guide, 1998. SciTech Services, Inc., Abington, MD. Program Manager for Chemical Demilitarization, 1995. Chemical Agent Identification Sets (CAIS), Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. 

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