CAT TASKING HEALTH RISKS IN KUWAIT

File: 091896_aug96_decls43_0004.txt
Page: 0004
Total Pages: 6

Subject: CAT TASKING HEALTH RISKS IN KUWAIT                              

Box  ID: BX005009

Document Number:         11

Folder Title: CAT TASKINGS-15101-15125                                                                        

Folder Seq #:         11

Unit: 22D SUPCOM  

Parent Organzation: ARCENT      






                                                      SGPS-PSP-O
                                                      IS March iggo

                                        INFORMATION PAPER


               SUBJECT: Analysis of Soil Samples Obtained in Southwest Asia
               PURPOSE: To Provide Information Regarding Handling and Analysis
               of Soil Samples Obtained in Southwest Asia.

               FACTS:

                    a. Special handling and packaging of sail samples is
               required regardless of their origin or the contaminant of
               interest. Soil samples obtained through other channels or
               without application of necessary -handling 'measures are of little
               scientific value. Within the Southwest Asia Theater of
               Operations, soil sample collection and packaging is managed by a
               team of active duty military personnel operating out of ZCMAC
               Riyadh. The team chief is CPT Nicholson, TDY from the Chemical
               Research, Development, and Engineering Center (CRDEC) at Aberdeen
               Proving Ground Maryland. Soil samples collected by this team are
               evaluated at the CRDEC. CRDEC will send technical escort
               personnel to pick up all soil samples from Southwest Asia.

                    b. Army regulation 40-12 requires compliance with U.S.
               Department of Agriculture (USDA) requirements for equipment
               sanitation prior to entry into the continental United States. AR
               40-12 requires that cargo will not be loaded aboard in a foreign
               country unless it is free of animal and soil contamination or
               post infestations as required by the USDA.

                    c. The two main health hazards associated with sand within
               the southwest Asia (SWA) theater are silicates, and biological or
               chemical warfare agent residues. Silicate exposure has been
valuated in multiple publications. After years of dust
               exposure, many of the indigenous population develop a benign,
               nonprogressive pteumoconiocis. This condition, known as Desert
               Lung syndrome, differs from occupational silicosis in that i* is
               asyrftptomatic and does not progress with time. The difference in
               presentation and course is thought to arise from the smooth
               weathering and transformation over time of desert sand (old dust)
               as contrasted to the freshly fractured sand (new dust) used in
               sandblasting and manufacturing processes. Short term exposures
               result in upper airway irritation only. The presence or absence
               of chemical or biological warfare residues in samples from SWA is
               currently under investigation at the CRDEC.





                                                     DAVID A. COMPTON
                                                     MAJ Mc
                                                      6-0125

Document 6 f:/Week-34/BX005009/CAT TASKINGS-15101-15125/cat tasking health risks in kuwait:09139616151691
Control Fields 17
File Room = aug96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-34
Box ID = BX005009
Unit = 22D SUPCOM
Parent Organization = ARCENT
Folder Title = CAT TASKINGS-15101-15125
Folder Seq # = 11
Subject = CAT TASKING HEALTH RISKS IN KUWAIT
Document Seq # = 91
Document Date =
Scan Date = 27-AUG-1996
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 = 13-SEP-1996