Protective ensembles

Procuring equipment protective ensembles, air monitoring devices, sampling equipment, decontamination apparatus, and supplies (disposables, tape, notebook, and so on)... 

Protective Ensemble and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus for Rescue Operations During a Terrorist Chemical Agent Incident. August 2003. 

Watson, A., D. Opresko, and V. Hauschild. Evaluation of Chemical Warfare Agent Percutaneous Vapor Toxicity Derivation of Toxicity Guidelines for Assessing Chemical Protective Ensembles, ORNL/TM-2003/180. July 2003. 

Because of the extreme dermal hazard posed by vesicants, responders should wear a Level A protective ensemble whenever there is a potential for exposure to any solid or liquid agent, or to an elevated or unknown concentration of agent vapor. 

Use only chemical protective clothing that has undergone material and construction performance testing against carbon monoxide and metal carbonyls. If the concentration of vapor exceeds the level necessary to produce effects through dermal exposure, then responders should wear a Level A protective ensemble. 

If an aerosol generating device is employed (e.g., sprayer), or the dissemination method is unknown and the release is ongoing, then responders should wear a Level A protective ensemble. Once the device has stopped generating the aerosol or has been rendered inoperable, and the aerosol has settled, then responders can downgrade to Level B. 

Kaufman J.W., Hastings Sh., Respiratory Demand During Rigorous Physical Work in a Chemical Protective Ensemble , Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 2005. 

NIOSH/MSHA approved pressure demand full face piece SCBA suitable for use in high agent concentrations with protective ensemble. (See DA Pam 385-61 for examples)... 

Note When 30 mil DPE is not available the M9 or M40 series mask with Tevel A protective ensemble including impregnated innerwear can be used. However, use time shall be restricted to the extent operationally feasible, and may not exceed one hour. 

OTHER PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Full protective clothing will consist of the m3 butyl rubber suit with hood, M2A1 butyl boots, M3 gloves, impregnated underwear, M9 series mask and coveralls (if desired), or the Demilitarization Protective Ensemble (DPE). For general lab work, gloves and lab coat shall be worn with M9 or M17 mask readily available. 

Demilitarization Protective Emsemble (DPE), or Toxicological Agent Protective Ensemble Self-Contained (TAPES), used with prior approval from AMC Field Safety Activity. 

DPE demilitarization protective ensemble RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act... 

Decontaminated ton containers are sent to the Rock Island Arsenal for smelting and reclamation. The 6,260 lbs/day of biosolids filter cake is sent to an off-site disposal facility. Spent activated carbon from the various filters, estimated to be generated at a rate of 600 lbs/day, will be tested for 3X surety and sent to the same contractor that takes other carbon filter material from facilities at Aberdeen Proving Ground. Demilitarization protective ensembles, which are at the 3X level after normal decontamination procedures, will be placed in 55 gallon drums, stored in a solid waste storage area, and then shipped off site. 

Finding 2-5. Secondary wastes, including dunnage and demilitarization protective ensemble suits, were reported to be successfully processed through the metal parts furnace (MPF) at JACADS, but only limited data on rates, operating conditions, and other parameters for handling these wastes in the MPF have been presented. The best way to handle spent carbon appears to be through the use of a micronizer system. 

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