TREATMENT OF CHEMICAL AGENT CASUALTIES NOR NAVSURNLANT SHIPS

File: 082696_doc1_626.txt
Page: 626
Total Pages: 652

 __                     h) Rupturing of the ammonia tank in the industrial
         city is a threat to the camp area only if the incident occurs at
         night. The windspeed at night is sufficiently low so that the gas
         is not dispersed. Rupturing the ammonia tank in the industrial
         port results in a lethal cloud so small that it is not a threat
         to any area regardless of when the incident~occurs.

                        i) Rupturing of the chlorine tanks in the
         industrial city does not pose a threat to any of the military
         facilities in the area regardless of the time of day the incident
         occurs. The lethal cloud in either case does not extend very far.

                        j) While the Xl7Al gas mask is known to be
         effective against chlorine, its effectiveness against ammonia is
         unknown. The MOPP suit is known to be effective against both of
         these gases. However, neither the mask nor the suit can provide
         protection if the air is saturated with the gas.


                        k) Oil wellheads and pipes pose a risk to forces
         operating in the vicinity. Aside from the serious fire that would
         result if an explosion or rupture occurred, hydrogen sulfide
         would be a problem to personnel operating in the area. This gas
         is particularly dangerous because it desensitizes the sense of
(        smell. Another concern is that the H2S is explosive although it
         will not ignite under normal circumstances. Finally, the Ml7Al
         ~ask is provides protection against H28.


                   2) The following recommendations are proposed based on
         the study results:


                        a) Exact specifications as to the ability of the
         masks to protect against ammonia should be obtained.
                        b) In the event that the masks are not effective
         against ammonia, alternatives, such as self-contained breathing
         apparatuses, should be explored.

                        c) Evacuation routes should be planned or warning
         procedures established to protect against ammonia and chlorine
         for all critical sites. This action should be taken because,
         depending on the wind direction, these sites are generally
         threatened by an explosion or rupturing of the tanks. This threat
         exists even though the companies have substantially reduced
         holdings of the gases in the tanks (except for the port).

                        d) The request could be made of the companies to
          further lower the holdings of ammonia and chlorine. In order to
          be effective, however, these holdings would have to be
          negligible.