TREATMENT OF CHEMICAL AGENT CASUALTIES NOR NAVSURNLANT SHIPS

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 ffi                          DEPLOYED IN THE MIDDLE EAST FOR POSSIBLE USE


               INTRODUCTION


               A review of current literature on warfighting capabilities of hostile

               governments in the Middle East (see examples in appendices 1 and 2)

               clearly Indicates that chemical warfare agents have been stockpiled for
               possible use in terrorist attacks or conventional battlefield operations.

               Chemical warfare agents which are known to exist In the arsenals of Iraq,
               Iran, Syria, and Libya include hydrocyanic acid (hydrogen cyanide),

               lewisite, mustard gas,  tabun, and sarin.  Other agents that have been

               developed for military use and may also be stockpiled are phosgene and
               arsine.  In an armed conflict with Iraq, United States expeditionary

               forces may have to defend themselves against and fight in an environment

     )         characterized by the presence of highly toxic chemical gases.  To

               understand the nature of the chemical threat, a brief description of each

               chemical warfare agent emphasizing toxicity, signs and symptoms, and

               level of protection Is presented below.  More detailed information on
               chemical characteristics, health hazards,  fire and explosion hazards,

               reactivity, other potential hazards, personal protective equipment, and
               response actions is presented in the attached chemical profile data

1)             sheets (see appendices 3 through 8).


               Regulations governing emergency response to incidents involving the

               civilian use of these materials have been promulgated in the Federal

               Register, Vol. 54, No. 42, Monday, March 6, 1989 (29 CFR 1910.120,
               "Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response; Final Rule").  It

               should be noted that each chemical is classified by the Environmental
               Protection Agency as an "extremely hazardous substance" and is subject to

               stringent regulation under Title III of the "Superfund Amendments and
 )             Reauthorization Act of 1986," PL 99-499.   In emergency situations

  ___ )        response personnel must wear a positive pressure, full facepiece, self-

  -            contained
                         breathing apparatus (SCBA) and fully encapsulating suit (level


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