INFO PAPER CHEM AGENT EXPOSURE 5 MAR 91

File: 970815_sep96_decls32_0002.txt
Page: 0002
Total Pages: 2
Subject = INFO PAPER CHEM AGENT EXPOSURE  5 MAR 91                        

Parent Organization = AMC         

Unit = AMC         

Folder Title = CHEM AGENT EXPOSURE OPER DS INFO PAPER -PFC DAVID FISHER                                        

Document Number =          1

Box ID = BX003401









             SGRD-UV-ZA    5 March 91


             3.   At C Co, 45th Support Bn, PFC Fisher was treated by MAJ
             DeClew, who confirmed the clinical diagnosis of blister agent
             exposure, photographed the blisters, applied a topical antibiotic
             and gauze dressing, and returned him to duty with follow-up at
             his unit. PFC Fisher remains in full duty status. I examined
             him and interviewed CW2 Ahmed and CW3 Wildhelm on 3 March at
             1100. PFC Fisher had 2 blisters, about 2 cm diameter each, on
             the left upper arm, and another 2 blisters, 1 to 2 cm diameter,
             on the lateral left forearm, each surrounded by a narrow margin
             of erythema. The roof of one upper arm blister had broken and
             the other three remained fluid-filled. PFC Fisher felt fine
             except for mild local pain that did not interfere with his duty
             performance. The skin area was photographed and a urine sample
             was saved in preservative for later analysis for thiodiglycol, a
             mustard breakdown product. Fox spectra printouts and samples of
             the coverall sleeve and ballistic vest were retained by 3AD
             Chemical personnel for transport and analysis via technical
             intelligence channels.

             4.   1 conclude that PFC Fisher's skin injury was caused by
             exposure to liquid mustard chemical warfare agent. The complete
             sequence of events is consistent with this conclusion. in
             particular, the latent period of 8 hours between exposure and
             first symptoms is characteristic of mustard exposure. No other
             corrosive or skin-toxic chemical compound that could reasonably
             be expected to have been present on the battlefield shows this
             latent period. The confirmatory  Fox spectra findings are also
             consistent. It seems more likely that PFC Fisher's exposure
             occurred during bunker exploration rather than during vehicle
             demolition because of the positive Fox result in the bunker
             complex and the lack of established chemical capability of the
             vehicle types he encountered. MAJ DeClew, CW3 Wildhelm, and CW2
             Ahmed are all recent graduates of the Medical Management of
             Chemical Casualties Course. Their accurate diagnosis and
             appropriate decontamination and treatment procedures reflect well
             on their professional capability.


             Prepared and authenticated by COL M. A. Dunn