Chemical agents field decontamination

Toxins, new-generation nerve agents, and toxic industrial chemicals have chemical properties different from those of traditional chemical agents. Fielded decontamination materials may not be effective against some of these threats. 

M256-Series Chemical Agent Detector Kit A kit used by military personnel to detect and identify field concentrations of nerve, blister or blood agent vapors. The kit consists of twelve samplers/detectors and a packet of M8 detector paper. It is used at the squad, crew or section level to detect and identify field concentrations of nerve, blister or blood agents vapors. It is usually used to determine when it is safe to unmask, to locate and identify chemical hazards, and to monitor decontamination effectiveness. 

No field instruments are capable of measuring to the concentration of a chemical or biological agent on decontaminated surfaces consistent with acceptable long-term exposure levels. Work should be started to develop equipment and test procedures that become a part of the decontamination toolkit. Most desirable would be a standoff surface scanning capability. 

No field instruments are capable of measuring to acceptable long-term exposure levels the concentration of a chemical or biological agent on decontaminated surfaces. 

USAMRICD s Field Management of Chemical Casualties. This handbook provides concise supplemental reading material for attendees at the Field Management of Chemical and Biological Casualties. It includes the effects of chemical and biological agents and decontamination. 

Historically, bleach in its various guises (powder or solution) has found universal application in the decontamination of CW agents both in the field and in the laboratory. Bleach is inherently corrosive, inefficient at low temperatures and performs poorly against thickened agents. Whilst its basic role as a general-purpose decontaminant in the field has diminished, it is still an important fundamental component of many decontamination systems, and is still commonly used in solution in the laboratory for the decontamination of glassware and small quantities of chemical agents. 

Decontamination studies have been conducted using common household products. The goal of these studies was identification of decontaminants for civilians as well as field expedients for the soldier. Timely use of water, soap and water, or flour followed by wet tissue wipes produced results equal, nearly equal, or in some instances better than those produced by the use of fuller s earth, Dutch Powder, and other compounds.4 (Fuller s earth [diatomaceous earth] and Dutch Powder [Dutch variation of fuller s earth] are decontamination agents currently fielded by some European countries.) Because no topical decontaminant has ever shown efficacy with chemical agent that has penetrated into the skin, and because chemical agents may begin penetrating the skin before complete reactive decontamination (detoxification) takes place, early physical removal is most important. 

Military personnel may be questioned for guidance by local civilian authorities or may deal with supply shortages in the field. Knowledge of the U.S. doctrinal decontaminating solutions may not suffice in these situations, and awareness of alternative methods of decontamination will prove very beneficial. What decontamination method is used is not as important as how and when it is used. Chemical agents should be removed as quickly and completely as possible by the best means available. 

All casualties entering a medical unit after experiencing a chemical attack are to be considered contaminated unless there is certification of noncontamination. The initial management of a casualty contaminated by chemical agents will require removal of mission-oriented protective posture (MOPP) gear and decontamination with 0.5% hypochlorite before treatment within the field MTF. 

The removal of solid or liquid chemical agent from exposed individuals is the first step in preventing severe injury or death. Civilian Hazmat teams generally have basic decontamination plans in place, though proficiency may vary widely. Very few teams are staffed, equipped, or trained for mass decontamination. Hospitals need to be prepared to decontaminate patients, despite plans that call for field decontamination of all patients before transport to hospitals. However, few hospitals have formal decontamination facilities even fewer have dedicated outdoor facilities or an easy way of expanding their decontamination operations in an event involving mass casualties. 

General Dynamics (now ChemRing) has produced handheld detectors for CWAs based on DMS called JUNO. The technology is claimed to be better than the traditional (linear field drift tube) IMS devices with regard to selectivity and sensitivity. JUNO can be used with a preconcentrator and detect CWAs at miosis levels and enables users to monitor personal chemical agent exposure levels and confirm decontamination effectiveness. 

To minimise dependence on such equipment, collective protection is a prerequisite. Toxic-free areas can be established by means of a filtered air supply and the maintenance of internal over-pressure in all enclosures, whether buildings in fixed installations like command posts and air bases, or in military vehicles including tanks and armoured personnel carriers, or in modern naval vessels by internal citadels or in improvised field shelters. Decontamination of personnel and equipment will provide further relief from the dangers of chemical agents. It is a labour-intensive process, involving a copious supply of water, the... 

Medical Classification, Probable Form of Dissemination, Detection in the Field, Infective Dose, Incubation Time, Persistence, Personal Protection, Routes of Entry to the Body, Per-son-to-Person Transmissible, Duration of Illness, Potential Ability to Kill, Defensive Measures, Vaccines, Drugs Available, and Decontamination. In each case, for both Chemical and Biological agents, each agent will have guidelines laid out within the book. 

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