Toxic Industrial Chemicals/Materials

OVERVIEW

Consider risk management in planning all operations; identify potential sources of danger or mission hazards that can be anticipated in performing a mission. Always weigh the risks and benefits and establish controls to reduce unnecessary hazards.

RECOGNIZE AND PREPARE FOR TOXIC INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS/MATERIAL THREATS

Occupational hazards.

• Exhaust from engines and fuel space heaters.

• Gases from weapons firing, such as rockets and M8 smoke.

  NOTE

  When using M8 smoke in training or operations, follow unit standing operating procedures (SOPs) and leaders and controller’s instructions for use of protective masks and for moving through smoky areas, especially in buildings and tunnels.

• Solvents used to clean weapons.

• Greases and oil from vehicle maintenance repair.

• Detergents used to clean equipment.

Industrial hazards.

• Compressed gases.

• Industrial solvents.

• Hazardous chemical waste.

• Materials used at water treatment plants.

• Materials and water used at waste sewage and water treatment plants.

Biological/radiological hazards.

• Medical waste.

• Materials used at medical research facilities.

• Radioactive isotopes.

• Substances at nuclear power plants.

• Depleted uranium.

RECOGNIZE THE INJURY

• Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. It causes headache, sleepiness, coma, and death.

• Hydrogen chloride is a very irritating gas that reacts with water (body fluids) to produce hydrochloric acid in the throat, lungs, and eyes. It causes coughing, tissue acid burns, and flu-like lung disease.

• M8 smoke is a very irritating gas. It can cause severe coughing, wheezing, and lung damage, if inhaled.

• Bore/gun gases cause the same effects as carbon monoxide and hydrogen chloride.

• Solvents, greases, and oils cause skin rashes, burns, drying, and infections. They cause damage to the liver, blood, and brain. Also, many are poisons that may cause cancer.

• Medical waste causes disease.

• Radioactive materials cause radiation illness.

PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR MISSION FROM TOXIC INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS/MATERIALS

NOTE

Service members should always be aware that material safety data sheets (MSDS) accompany stores of toxic chemicals when units are deployed, and they serve as an immediate reference in cases of exposure or injury. Once a unit is deployed and set up, these MSDS should be kept as part of the unit’s SOP when handling the specified chemicals/materials.

Carbon monoxide.

• Run engines outdoors or with shop doors/windows open.

• Keep sleeping area windows slightly open where you sleep for ventilation and air movement.

• DO NOT sleep in vehicles with the engine running or use engine exhaust for heat.

• DO NOT park vehicles near air intakes to tents, trailers, or environmental control units.

Bore/gun gases.

• Use onboard vehicle ventilation systems.

• Keep bore evacuator well maintained.

• Try to keep some air movement in gun emplacements or in protected batteries.

Solvents, greases, and oils.

• Use “safety” Stoddard solvent.

• Never substitute one solvent for a “better” one; for example, never use benzene or fuel in place of Stoddard.

• Wear coveralls, if available, and rubber gloves.

• Wash or change clothing often, especially when soiled by chemicals or fuel.

• Always follow label instructions for use and safety precautions.

• Use ventilation systems in areas where fumes are present or when conditions and materials dictate.

Biological waste.

• Always use disposable rubber gloves when working with biological materials.

• Wear coveralls/rubberized aprons, as necessary.

• Wear goggles or safety glasses, as necessary.

• Wear facemasks and air-filtered breathing masks approved for specific tasks, as necessary, when removing/working with biological waste.

• Dispose of biological waste materials according to unit SOPs and product label instructions.