CHEM AGENT EXPOSURE OPER DESERT STORM 5 MAR 91

File: 092496_sep96_decls1_0002.txt
Page: 0002
Total Pages: 2

Subject: CHEM AGENT EXPOSURE OPER DESERT STORM  5 MAR 91                 

Unit: OTSG        

Parent Organization: HSC         

Box ID: BX003204

Folder Title: CHEMICAL CASUALTY CARE ANNUAL REPORT OPERATION DESERT SHIELD STORM                              

Document Number:          4

Folder SEQ  #:         28









        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.   I 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

Document 2 f:/Week-36/BX003204/CHEMICAL CASUALTY CARE ANNUAL REPORT OPERATION DESERT SHIELD STORM/chem agent exposure oper desert storm 5 mar 91:0920961557081
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-36
Box ID = BX003204
Unit = OTSG
Parent Organization = HSC
Folder Title = CHEMICAL CASUALTY CARE ANNUAL REPORT OPERATION DESERT SHIELD STORM
Folder Seq # = 28
Subject = CHEM AGENT EXPOSURE OPER DESERT STORM 5 MAR 91
Document Seq # = 1
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 20-SEP-1996