Inquiry From SFC Winbush, 2ND COSCOM ACS Material Office, 7710-796

File: 980226_sep96_sagwi5_0001.txt
Page: 0001
Total Pages: 1
Box ID = BX000284

Folder Title = GENERAL FIELD SANITATION SURVEY 12TH EVAC HOSPITAL                                              

Unit = VII CORPS   

Parent Org = ARCENT      














    DATE: 08 Feb 91

    SUBJECT: Inquiry From SFC Winbush, 2ND COSCOM   ACS Material Office, 7710-796
             or 7564-798


    TO: COL Johnson


    FROM: MAJ Thomas

         SFC Winbush said they received the 14th's OK (Maj McGhee and Maj Gibbons
    verbally) to deploy Erdalators for use at field water supply points. He asked
    for either of them when he called. I was the only LB Team Leader available so
    I took the call.

         A concern has arisen concerning the potential for Iraqis to contaminate
    potential well points with Thallium, which they use for rat poison. SFC
    Winbush said he has contacted sources in the US (Belvoir) who researched the
    problem and say it's OK to use a ROWPU for removing Thallium and other heavy
    metals. SFC Winbush says they want to use Erdalators to treat water at field
    well points and to back up ROWPUs when needed, as in the situation they now
    have at Log Base Echo where a ROWPU is out of service for a while. He says
    his Colonel has asked why they couldn't do this since Erdalators have always
      -ked OK before.

         He says he needs guidance from the 14th, or anyone else who knows, on
    whether it's OK to use an Erdalator the same as they would a ROWPU to remove
    Thallium specifically, or any other of the heavy metals or other potential
    contaminants they might find at well points. Although SFC Winbush didn't
    state the question this specifically, I believe what he really wanted to know
    can be summarized in this question "Does the 14th's approval of the use of
    Erdalators for the purpose of meeting the normal field water supply point
    criteria cover Thallium or other potential contaminants they might encounter?"

         My response to SFC Winbush was that it is my belief that the 14th's
    approval of the use of Erdalators applied only to those criteria specifically
    listed in the FMs/TMs as being applicable to a field well point (I read the
    list to him and he said he is familiar with it). I told him we did not know
    how an Erdalator would do on treating for Thallium, or any of the other
    potential contaminants that could possibly be found. I told him I would pass
    his question on this issue on, but I don't believe we will be able to find an
    answer with the resources available to us at this time. I suggested he try to
    get back to the people who gave him the answer on using a ROWPU and ask them
    for guidance on what a Erdalator is capable of doing.

         SFC Winbush said he would try to get an answer from other sources and
    would appreciate any guidance the 14th could give on the issue.