Interim Contaminant Limits and Testing Procedures for U.S. Navy Fleet Soda Lime.
Abstract
Contamination of U.S. Navy Fleet soda lime (High Performance Sodasorb), which contains indicator dye and is used for carbon dioxide absorption during diving, was suspected when an ammonia-like odor was reported during its use in August 1992. The Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) investigated the problem, which had a major impact on the U.S. Navy diving program when the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) banned use of Sodasorb and authorized Sofnolime as an interim replacement. Significant amounts of ammonia (up to 30 ppm) ethyl and diethyl amines (up to several ppm), and various aliphatic hydrocarbons (up to 60 ppm) were detected during testing of both absorbents. The source(s) of the ammonia and amines are unknown, but it was thought that they may result from the breakdown of the indicator dye. Hydrocarbon contamination appears to come from the material making up the bucket. NAVSEA subsequently requested contaminant limits to insure procurement of soda lime without indicator dye that was safe for Fleet use. NMRI provided this guidance to NAVSEA in June 1994 in the document, 'Interim Contaminant Limits for Procurement of Fleet Soda Lime.' " The present report describes the development of the test procedures in the NMRI guidance and provides background to the selection of contaminant limits contained therein. jg
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA291985
Entities
People
- D. D. Gummin
- J. M. Caldwell
- R. Ruby
- R. S. Lillo
- W. R. Porter
Organizations
- Naval Medical Research Center