PREVENTIVE MEDICINE SUPPORT DURING OPERATION DESERT SHIELD

File: 970101_sep96_decls50_0004.txt
Page: 0004
Total Pages: 6

Subject: PREVENTIVE MEDICINE SUPPORT DURING OPERATION DESERT SHIELD      

Unit: OTSG        

Parent Organization: HSC         

Box  ID: BX003205

Folder Title: INFORMATION PAPERS                                                                              

Document Number:          4

Folder Seq  #:         33








                c. Soldier Response to Contayninated Water. The human
            sensitivity from smell and taste to oil oroducts in water is so
                       most           s W3.          to drink such water at
                  t a@      Tn-df@i@@i -'-' f 1   a -
            cont @ nation concentrations well below levels known to produce
            acute health effects.

                d. Refinery Contamination of Groundwater. The above
            discussion assumes surface water contamination. Destruction of
            a refinery could result in contamination of groundwater. Over
            45 chemicals used in or produced by refinery operations could
            be introduced into the groundwater. Computer modeling suggests
            that total carcinogenic risks from consuming such water
            increases to 2.6 deaths per 100,000. it is considered unlikely
            that those conditions could exist in the aquifer system for any
            extended period of time. In any event, the hazard to humans
            would only exist if untreated water from wells contai      such
            water e@e consume . The Rowpu will remove all contaminant of
            Zo-ncern.    te and odor @ulcflj-kely preclude significant
            ingestion of untreated water.

                e. Analytical Support. Analysis of oil contamination can
            be performed within 24 hours after receipt by the 10th Yedical
            Laboratory, Landstahl, Germany. If requested, the U.S. Army
            Environmental Hygiene Agency, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD,
            could establish an in-theater analytical capability. Three
            in-theater QM POL laboratories have limited analytical
            capability (their mission: to detect water in POL products).
            Both Mobil and Ashland Oil Companies have laboratories in south
            Saudi Arabia and have indicated willingness to allow their
            use. Their local PoCs have been identified to the ARCENT
eon's office. The U.S. Coast Guard has a-trailer-mounted
            laboratory transportable by Coast Guard organic aircraft
            (C-130). It could be made available upon request. Their POC
            has been identified to ARCENT Surgeon office.

                f. Coordination. Detailed information packets addressing
            the above items have been prepared by the USAEHA and provided
            ARCENT (Surgeon), OSD (Environment), OASA (IL&E), DCSLOG and QM
            Center and School. Copies are being shipped to all in-theater
            preventive medicine units.




                                        COL Robert Fitz
                                        60130

Document 6 f:/Week-36/BX003205/INFORMATION PAPERS/preventive medicine support during operation des:12249609313851
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-36
Box ID = BX003205
Unit = OTSG
Parent Organization = HSC
Folder Title = INFORMATION PAPERS
Folder Seq # = 33
Subject = PREVENTIVE MEDICINE SUPPORT DURING OPERATION DES
Document Seq # = 4
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 = 24-DEC-1996