Acronyms

ARCENT ......................................................................................................US Army Central Command

CAM....................................................................................................................Chemical Agent Monitor

CBDCOM...............................................................................Chemical and Biological Defense Command

CENTCOM.............................................................................................................US Central Command

CIA..................................................................................................................Central Intelligence Agency

DIA.................................................................................................................Defense Intelligence Agency

DNA....................................................................................................................Defense Nuclear Agency

DoD........................................................................................................................Department of Defense

EOD................................................................................................................explosive ordnance disposal

ERDEC............................................................Edgewood Research, Development and Engineering Center

FM...........................................................................................................................................field manual

IDLH.............................................................................................immediately dangerous to life and health

IRFNA..........................................................................................................inhibited red fuming nitric acid

KTO..............................................................................................................Kuwaiti theater of operations

LCSS.........................................................................................................laboratory chemical safety sheet

MOPP................................................................................................Mission-Oriented Protective Posture

NBC.............................................................................................................nuclear, biological & chemical

NCO....................................................................................................................noncommissioned officer

NIOSH.......................................................................National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health

NMCB..............................................................................................Naval Mobile Construction Battalion

OICC..................................................................................operations and intelligence coordination center

RFNA........................................................................................................................red fuming nitric acid

SBCCOM..............................................................................Soldiers’ Biological and Chemical Command

TECOM..................................................................................US Army Testing and Evaluation Command

UDMH.....................................................................................................unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine

Glossary

A deficiency of oxygen reaching the tissues of the body of such severity that it results in permanent damage.^[128]

A chemical warfare agent, also called a vesicant or vesicant agent, that injures the eyes and lungs and burns or blisters the skin. Blister agents include mustard (H, HD, HN), lewisite (L), a mustard-lewisite mixture (HL) and phosgene oxime.^[129]

A chemical warfare agent that prevents cell respiration and the normal transfer of oxygen from the blood to body tissues. Also called a cyanogen agent. Most blood agents are cyanide-containing compounds, absorbed into the body primarily by breathing. AC and CK are the important agents in this group. Blood agents are highly volatile and, therefore, nonpersistent even at very low temperatures. These agents can be dispersed by artillery shell, mortar, rocket, aircraft spray, or bomb. Cyanogen chloride also acts as a choking agent. The standard protective mask gives adequate protection.^[130]

The US Army Chemical and Biological Defense Command, headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, has a broad, full life-cycle materiel research, development, and acquisition mission. It also involves international relations, such as army control treaties and cooperative programs, clean up activities such as those at Rocky Mountain Arsenal, chemical materiel destruction support, readiness, and sustainment, as well as a partnership with the Program Manager for Chemical Demilitarization.^[131] Recently, it was renamed Soldier Biological and Chemical Command (SBCCOM).

A chemical substance used in military operations to kill, injure, or incapacitate though its physiological effects. Excludes riot control agents, herbicides, smoke, and flame. Included are blood, nerve, blister, choking, and incapacitating agents.^[132]

A hand held post-attack device used to monitor buildings, equipment, and personnel for contamination. The CAM is designed to detect chemical agent vapors in two modes G and H. While in G mode, the CAM can detect nerve agents. Switching to the H mode allows the CAM to detect mustard agents. The CAM draws in air and then samples it by sensing molecular ions of specific mobility (time of flight) and uses timing and microprocessor techniques to reject interference. The CAM uses a graphic bar to display the relative concentration of agent present.^[133][134]

The amount of a component in a given area or volume;^[135] the concentration of pure nitric acid contained in IRFNA is approximately 85 percent or greater.The IRFNA’s remaining 15 percent is water and additives, such as nitric oxides and the inhibitor.^[136]

A bluish or purplish discoloration (as of skin or mucous membranes) due to deficient oxygenation of the blood.^[137]

A nerve agent, similar to sarin in composition and effect.^[138]

The process of making any person, object, or area safe by absorbing, destroying, neutralizing, making harmless, or removing chemical or biological warfare agents.^[139]

Originally produced from mustard agent by a purification process of washing and vacuum distillation. HD is a colorless to amber-colored liquid with a garlic-like odor. It has less odor and a slightly greater blistering effect than mustard and is more stable in storage. It is used as an agent to produce casualties after a certain delay, the duration of which depends upon the munitions used, the weather, and the exposure concentration.^[140]

Difficult or labored respiration.^[141]

The detection, identification, on-site evaluation, rendering safe, recovery, and final disposal of unexploded explosive ordnance. It may also include explosive ordnance that has become hazardous by damage or deterioration.^[142]

The Fox Vehicle is a six-wheeled, light armored vehicle, designed primarily for reconnaissance of liquid chemical warfare agent hazards. On-board detection capabilities include the MM-1 Mobile Mass Spectrometer, which is the primary detection device, the M43A1 Chemical Agent Detector, the M256A1 Chemical Agent Detector Kit, the AN/VDR2 radiation detector, and the ASG1 radiation detector. The Fox does not provide any biological detection capability, but does protect the crew from biological hazards, and allows the crew to mark areas of potential hazard and safely take samples for laboratories to analyze for biological hazards.^[143]

Lethal chemical warfare agent which works by inhibiting the proper functioning of enzymes needed for the transmission of nerve impulses throughout the body. These agents affect all bodily systems including the eyes, nose, throat, lungs, and muscles. The G-series nerve agents include tabun (GA), sarin (GB) and soman (GD). The normal sequence of symptoms is runny nose, tightness of the chest, dimness of vision and pinpointing of the eye pupils, difficulty breathing, drooling and excessive sweating, nausea, vomiting, cramps, involuntary defecation and urination, twitching, jerking and staggering, headache, confusion, drowsiness and coma. These symptoms are followed by a cessation of breathing and death.^[144]

Name given to the Russian-made SA-2 missile. It is a medium-to-high-altitude, surface-to-air missile that uses IRFNA as its propellant oxidizer.^[145]

A worldwide web site maintained by the Office of the Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense for Gulf War Illnesses (www.gulflink.health.mil).

HNO₃

Chemical abbreviation for nitric acid.^[146]

A series of persistent blister agents that include sulphur mustards and nitrogen mustards. Levinstein mustard (H) agent was used during the latter parts of World War I, but distilled mustard (HD) is the contemporary threat agent. In its pure state, mustard is colorless and almost odorless. Impurities in the agent give it a pronounced odor like mustard, rotten onions, or even garlic.^[147]

Hydrazine

A colorless, fuming, corrosive, strongly-reducing liquid base, used especially in fuels for rocket engines.^[148]

A nonpersistent, colorless liquid that is highly volatile, also known as hydrocyanic acid. It is used as a quick-acting agent that causes death within 15 minutes after a lethal dose has been received. AC has a faint odor, similar to bitter almonds, which sometimes cannot be detected even in lethal concentrations. Low doses have almost no effect on the body. AC is less persistent than other blood agents, and it is highly volatile. The protective mask provides protection against field concentrations of AC. Liquid AC can penetrate skin. Because of its high volatility, liquid AC is not likely to be encountered in the field, and protective clothing is required only in very unusual situations.^[149]

A chemical developed or manufactured for use in industrial research. While these chemicals are not manufactured primarily for the specific purpose of producing human casualties, hydrogen cyanide (AC), cyanogen chloride (CK), phosgene (CG), and chloropicrin (PS) can be militarily valuable chemical agents.^[150]

An atom or group of atoms that carries a positive or negative electric charge as a result of having lost or gained one or more electrons.^[151]

A Russian-made, anti-radar, air-to-surface missile which used IRFNA as its propellant oxidizer.^[152]

The M256A1 kit is a portable, expendable kit capable of detecting and identifying hazardous concentrations of chemical warfare agent. It is designed to detect blister, blood, and nerve agents. In the field, this kit was called simply the M256. The M256 kit is used following a chemical alert to determine if it is safe to unmask. The M256A1 kit has replaced the M256 kit. The only difference between the two kits is that the M256A1 kit is capable of detecting lower levels of nerve agent. ^[154]

M8 Paper detects and identifies liquid chemical agents (blister and nerve). It does not detect vapors. M8 paper is widely distributed on the battlefield. Each soldier has a booklet in the protective mask carrier. It is also found in the carrying case for the M256A1 Kit. M8 paper is used any time a soldier suspects liquid contamination is present. The paper must touch the liquid agent. Since M8 paper will also change color in the presence of a variety of interferents, it is not a reliable tool to confirm decontamination. M8 paper is never used as a sole basis for agent identification. It must always be verified with more reliable means of identification (e.g., M256A1 Kit).

False Responses/Interferents: M8 paper responds to some common battlefield interferents such as certain cleaning solvents (ammonia), "Break Free" (a weapons cleaner and lubricant), high temperatures, and some petroleum products.^[155]

M9 Paper is a portable, expendable, single roll of paper that comes with a mylar-adhesive backed and coated tape. It is used by ground forces and is placed on personnel and equipment to identify the presence of liquid chemical warfare agents. The paper is colored a pale green with insoluble pigments and contains a suspension of an agent-sensitive dye in a paper matrix. It will turn pink, red, reddish-brown, or red-purple when exposed to liquid agent and can detect, but does not identify the specific agent. M9 paper is the most widely used method of detecting liquid chemical warfare agents. It is more sensitive and reacts more rapidly than M8 paper. The self-adhesive paper attaches to most surfaces. The paper is wrapped around the lower left sleeve, upper right sleeve, and on one lower leg of the overgarment. It is also normally attached to larger equipment that the soldier will be "handling" (crew-served weapons, vehicle controls, etc.). As soon as M9 paper indicates the presence of chemical agents, soldiers must take protective action.

False Responses/Interferents: M9 paper responds to some common battlefield interferents. Among them are petroleum products, brake fluid, aircraft cleaning compound, insect repellent, sand color camouflage stick, smoke, defoliant, ethylene glycol (antifreeze), and scuffs of dirt or mud. The M9 paper will not respond to chemical warfare agents when wet and will give false positive indications when abraded against a rough surface. Heat may cause M9 paper to turn red and cause false positive readings.^[156]

The MM-1 Mobile Mass Spectrometer is the primary chemical warfare agent detector fielded in the Fox reconnaissance vehicle. During Operation Desert Storm, the MM-1 monitored against a target list of approximately 10 selected chemical agents most likely to be present, based on intelligence reports of the suspected chemical warfare agent threat—such as tabun (GA), sarin (GB), soman (GD), S-mustard (HD), lewisite (L), phosgene (CG), and cyclosarin (GF). To speed the initial search, the MM-1 looks for only four ion peaks for each agent and attempts to match the pattern and ratio of these peaks against the target list of chemicals. If an initial match is made with these four ion peaks at a pre-determined intensity, the MM-1 sounds an alarm. However, this first alarm does not confirm the presence of a chemical warfare agent since there are many chemicals that have similar ion peaks and many combinations of chemicals that may yield ion patterns similar to those in the target list. Consequently the MM-1 can indicate falsely the presence of dangerous chemical warfare agents.

To more conclusively determine what chemical is present, the MM-1 must analyze the spectrum of the suspected chemical against all the detection algorithms stored in the MM-1 chemical library. For more detailed analysis later, the complete ion spectrum by atomic weight can be printed on a tape.^[157]

A thin, soft pliable sheet or layer, especially of animal or plant origin, that lines body passages and cavities which communicate directly or indirectly with the exterior, such as the eyes, nose, lungs and mouth.^[158]

Uses three types of detector tubes to detect and warn personnel of the presence of toxic propellant vapors associated with a leaking missile body in any enclosed storage facility. The kit’s detection chemicals react to the presence of unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine or inhibited red fuming nitric acid vapors in an air sample by changing color.^[159]

A viscous liquid chemical compound derived from phosphoric acid. Principal nerve agents are tabun (GA), sarin (GB), soman (GD), and VX. These agents act by disrupting the normal functioning of the nervous system. Individuals poisoned by nerve agents may display the following symptoms: pin pointing of the pupils, difficulty in breathing; drooling; and excessive sweating; nausea; vomiting, cramps, and loss of bladder/bowel control; twitching, jerking, and staggering; headache, confusion, drowsiness, convulsions and coma. The timing and presentation of symptoms are dependent on the particular agent and the route of entry into the body. See also G Series nerve agents and V Series nerve agents. ^[161]

An industrial chemical and oxidizing agent used in the manufacture of ammonium nitrate, a fertilizer, and explosives. Nitric acid is made by combining ammonia to nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and water.^[162]

A colorless poisonous gas formed by oxidation of nitrogen or ammonia.^[163]

A toxic reddish brown gas that is a strong oxidizing agent, is produced by combustion (as of fossil fuels), and is an atmospheric pollutant.^[164]

The process of combining with oxygen to change the molecular composition of a substance.^[165]

A substance used to support the combustion of a rocket propellant; an oxidizing agent.^[166]

A choking-type chemical agent with a short agent-cloud duration, used extensively in World War I. CG is a colorless gas with an odor similar to new-mown hay, grass, or green corn, which may go unnoticed until at toxic levels. It tends to hug the ground; vapors may linger for some time in trenches and low places under calm or light winds. CG readily condenses to a colorless liquid below 46� F. It reacts rapidly with water, so rain, fog and dense vegetation reduce the concentration in the air. CG is used as a delayed-casualty agent that causes fluid buildup in the lungs that can cause dry land drowning.^[167]

Inflammation of the lungs.^[168]

The combination of rocket oxidizer and fuel is called propellant.^[169] When combined under controlled conditions, a fuel such as kerosene or unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) and IRFNA will combust and burn to create the heat and thrust needed to "propel" or launch a rocket or missile. Missile propellants can be liquid or solid. The Scud, for example, is a liquid propellant missile, while the US Patriot uses a solid propellant.

Fluid build-up in the lungs, which causes lack of oxygen; also known as "dry land drowning."^[170]

An industrial chemical and oxidizing agent that contains more than 85 percent nitric acid, 6-15 percent nitrogen oxice, and less than 5 percent water.^[171]

A volatile liquid at room temperature; odorless and colorless in gas form, causing the same physiological symptoms as other nerve agents. See G-series nerve agents.^[172]

Scud missile

A mobile, Russian-made, tactical ballistic surface-to-surface missile.^[173] The Iraqi military used the Scud extensively in the Iran-Iraq War and the Gulf War. The Scud is fueled by inhibited red fuming nitric acid and kerosene (or unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine).^[174]

An anti-ship, Chinese-made, surface-to-surface missile that uses inhibited red fuming nitric acid as its propellant oxidizer.^[175]

A volatile, colorless liquid with an ammonia-like odor.Hazards and symptoms of exposure to UDMH are similar to those of fuming nitric acid, and include eye and skin irritation, choking, chest pain, shortness of breath (dyspnea), lethargy, nausea, low oxygen levels in the blood (anoxia), convulsions, and liver injury. ^[176] Used as a component of rocket propellant.^[177]

Persistent, highly toxic nerve agents developed in the mid-1950s and absorbed primarily through the skin. V agents are generally colorless and odorless liquids which do not evaporate rapidly. The standard V agent is VX while others include VE, VG, and VS. ^[178]