Chemical Defense Collective Protection Technology. Volume 1. Effects of Airlock Dimension, Clothing, and Exposure Concentration on Vapor Transport
Abstract
Procedures for processing personnel through chemical defense collective shelters were employed to examine the contamination of Toxic Safe Areas (TSAs), in shelters, as a result of transport of chemical agent vapor on clothing underlayers. The quantity of vapor thus transported into the TSAs was examined as a function of: airlock design; type of outer clothing worn during exposure; and vapor exposure concentration. A simulated Survivable Collective Protection Shelter Contamination Control Area facility, at the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine (Brooks Air Force Base, Texas), was employed. Personnel-- addressed either in fatigues over T-shirt and jockey shorts, or in Flyer's charcoal undercoverall (United Kingdom) over aircrew undershirt and drawers-- were first exposed to chemical warfare agent simulant (methyl salicylate) vapor, and were then processed through the Liquid Hazard Area and Vapor Hazard Area. Processing included passage through either the original design airlock or a modified design airlock before entry into the TSA. Inside the TSA, individual subjects were isolated within sealed glass offgassing booths; and vapor offgassed from each subject over a 2-h period was measured. Data indicate that the charcoal undercoverall (UK) reduced the quantity of vapor transported into the TSA, and hence increased the protection of the individual more than did the fatigues. However, no statistical evidence of airlock differences was found.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA178988
Entities
People
- David L. Bartlett
- James P. Conkle
- Joseph R. Fischer
- Roberto E. Miranda
- Roger W. Page Jr.
Organizations
- United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine