Sampling of Breathable Air in U.S. Navy Sonar Domes
Abstract
The Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) was tasked in 1990 to conduct air sampling to obtain baseline air composition in U.S. Navy sonar domes. This data would be used to assess potential long-term effects on personnel who routinely conduct dome entries. To date, samples have been obtained from 6 ships that were subsequently analyzed for volatile hydrocarbons and fixed gases (O2 CO2, and CO) by gas chromatography coupled with either thermal conductivity, flame ionization, or mass spectrometry. Only 5 hydrocarbon species (methane, butane, toluene, xylenes, and methyl chloroform) were found at levels >1 part per million (ppm) in the 6 domes following a 24-hour period of non-ventilation. The levels of individual chemicals were well below their threshold limit values for hazardous exposure. These contaminants were reduced by up to 90% following 4 hours of ventilation at the flow rate normally used for dome entries. No hydrocarbons >0.1 ppm, other than methane, were found in any ship's low pressure air supply used for dome ventilation. Air purity, Chemical contaminants, Diving atmospheres, Hyperbaric toxicology, Gas analysis, Gas chromatography, Mass spectrometry.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA277988
Entities
People
- A. Ruby
- D. W. Compton
- J. M. Caldwell
- M. R. Bresnan
- R. S. Lillo
Organizations
- Naval Medical Research Center