Environmental Exposure Report

Chemical Agent Resistant Coating (CARC)

 

Environmental Exposure Reports are reports of what we know today about certain events of the 1990-1991 Gulf War. This particular environmental exposure report focuses on the use of chemical agent resistant coating (CARC). The purpose of this report is to discuss the CARC painting activities conducted in the Kuwait theater of operations, describe possible health effects associated with exposure to CARC, and present recommendations for improvements in policy about CARC application. This is an interim, not a final, report. We hope that you will read this and contact us with any information that would help us better understand the events reported here. With your help, we will be able to report more accurately on the events surrounding the use of CARC. Please contact my office to report any new information by calling:

 

1-800-497-6261

 

Bernard Rostker
Special Assistant for Gulf War Illnesses
Department of Defense

199222-0000022

Last Update: February 22, 2000

Many veterans of the Gulf War have expressed concern that their unexplained illnesses may result from their experiences in that war. In response to veterans’ concerns, the Department of Defense established a task force in June 1995 to investigate those incidents and circumstances relating to possible causes. The Office of the Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense for Gulf War Illnesses assumed responsibility for these investigations on November 12, 1996, and gathered information on the use of chemical agent resistant coating.

To inform the public about the progress of this office, the Department of Defense is publishing on the Internet and elsewhere accounts related to the possible causes of illnesses among Gulf War veterans, along with documentary evidence or personal testimony used in compiling the accounts. This environmental exposure report is such an account.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I.  SUMMARY
 
II.  METHODOLOGY
A.  Determine Chronology of Events
B.  Determine Proper Standards and Procedures
C.  Review Technical Specifications
D.  Determine Possible Health Effects of Compounds of Concern
E.  Review Medical Follow-up
 
III.  DESCRIPTION OF CARC
A.  What is CARC?
B.  Technical Specifications
C.  Health Considerations
1.  Identification of Compounds of Concern
2.  Possible Health Effects of Hexamethylene Diisocyanate and Solvents
D.  Occupational Safety and Health Guidance
 
IV.  USE OF CARC DURING OPERATIONS DESERT SHIELD AND DESERT STORM
A.  Overview
B.  Painting Protocol During Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm
C.  Major Paint Operations
1.  Department of Army Civilians / 900th Maintenance Company at the Port of Ad Dammam
2.  325th Maintenance Company
3.  Other Sites
D.  Health and Safety Inspections of the CARC Painting Operations
E.  Marine Corps Painting Operations
F.  Air Force Painting Operations
G.  Post-War Guidance
 
V.  MEDICAL FOLLOW-UP OF THE 325th MAINTENANCE COMPANY
 
VI. CONCLUSIONS
 
VII.  LESSONS LEARNED
 
TAB A – Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Glossary
 
TAB B – Bibliography
 
TAB C – CARC Paint Specifications and Formulations
 
TAB D – Examples of Solvents Contained in CARC and Paint Thinner Used During Operations Desert Shield and Desert
Storm
 
TAB E – Occupational Safety and Health Guidance

END NOTES


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