MIL-HDBK-783(EA)
In more recent years claims of use of CB agents in
systems and equipment items. These effects can reduce
various regions of the world have been made. During
the capability of the system to perform its functions.
The corrosive nature of mustard gas was exhibited in
the Yemen War of 1963-1967. mustard gas, among
others, was used in some inaccessible areas, but this fact
World War I when ammunition exposed for long
was not internationally known until long after the war
periods to its vapors caused weapons to jam frequently
(Ref. l). By the end of the 1970s, an increasing number
and to require constant cleaning.
When examining the effects of CB agents and de-
of press and intelligence reports had suggested that CB
agents were being used in limited wars being conducted
contaminants upon materials, it is important to focus
around the world. Claims were made that CB agents
upon the function of that material or the component
h a d been used by the Laotian government with
and or subsystem that the material is used to construct.
Vietnamese and Soviet assistance since 1975 against the
Once a function has been established, the properties of
H'mong, a mountain people living in the central part of
the material critical to performing that function can be
the country. In Kampuchea, Vietnamese forces were
determined. Testing can then be performed to determine
said to have used CB agents against resistance fighters.
the effects of exposure to CB agents and decontaminants
Allegations of the use of CB agents by the Soviet and
upon critical properties.
Testing in more recent years on alkyd paints exposed
Afghan armies against the Mujahideens, who were fight-
ing the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, have been
to mustard droplets has shown that even after decontami-
nation enough mustard remains in the paint to blister
made by the United States (Ref. l).
In 1983 and 1986 a team of scientists sponsored by
bare skin coming in close contact with the surface (Ref.
4). In permeability tests of flexible barrier materials for
the United Nations was sent to Iran to investigate
collective protection equipment, mustard poses a most
claims of use of CB agents by the Iraqi troops against
Iranian troops. Based on the evidence gathered during
stringent challenge. In such tests, when mustard droplets
are placed on a film of commercial low-density
the second trip to Iran. the UN Mission unanimously
polyethylene 10-mm thick, mustard vapor emanates
concluded that CB agents had been used against Iranian
from the opposite side in under 10 min.
troops by Iraqi forces (Ref. 2).
It is clear that potential adversaries of the United
In most of the tests conducted prior to 1980 to collect
information describing the effects of agents and de-
States currently possess the capability and willingness
contaminants on materials, the effects on critical
to wage chemical warfare. To develop systems that can
properties were not measured. In addition, standard
survive in this environment a strong understanding of
the CB threat agents and their interactions is essential.
exposure conditions and test methods were not em-
ployed. As a result, the data base of agent and or
1-3.2 CB AGENTS AND
decontaminant effects on materials could not be reliably
DECONTAMINANTS
employed to predict the survivability of system com-
ponents. To remedy the problem, the US Army has
The two primary goals of the deployment of CB
conducted or sponsored programs in which standardized
agents are to (1) kill or incapacitate as many of the
methods were employed to collect data describing effects
enemy as possible and (2) force the survivors into a
on critical performance-related properties. Selected
chemically protected posture, which decreases their ef-
results from these programs are presented in more
fectiveness.
detail in Chapter 5.
The effects of CB agents on personnel are well docu-
mented as a result of World War 1. The US Expedi-
tionary Force suffered approximate> 37,000 known gas
1-3.3 CB DEFENSE PROGRAMS
casualties during World War I, of which approximately
27,000 were due to mustard gas (Ref. 3). The remaining
As mentioned previously, the LJS Expeditionary Forces
casualties were a result of phosgene gas and unknown
in World War I were not prepared for chemical warfare.
The United States was forced to develop protective mask
agents. It has been estimated that these CB casualties
technologies and offensive production capabilities to
required 1.3 million man-days of lost effort for care and
that the average casualty was confined to a hospital for
respond to the CB agent threats. After World War 1
six weeks (Ref. 4). Only 600 of the 126,000 American
chemical warfare research and development decreased to
a low point. In the early 1920s, what is now called the US
deaths could be attributed to mustard gas (Ref. 4). This
Army Chemical Research, Development, and Engineering
indicates that earlier CB agents were much more ef-
fective in reducing war-fighting capability than inflicting
Center (CRDEC) was organized at Edgewood Arsenal,
MD, the site of munitions filling plants during the war. In
fatal casualties.
the shadow of the Geneva Protocol of 1925, this facility
In recent years much attention has been given to the
conducted limited research in chemical warfare through
effects of CB contaminants and their associated de-
the beginning of World War 11.
contaminants on materials used to construct military
1-3
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