DETECTION OF MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS

File: 123096_sep96_decls1_0060.txt
Page: 0060
Total Pages: 109

Subject: DETECTION OF MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS       

Unit: OTSG        

Parent Organization: HSC         

Box  ID: BX003203

Folder Title: DETECTION OF MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS                                       

Document Number:          1

Folder Seq  #:         21














      4.   Although the detection of a biological aerosol is not itself a
      countermeasure, ef4ective Retention plays a key role in enabling other
      countermeasures @n be used efficiently.



                               PHYSICAL DEF7-NSIVE MEASTJRES


      Introduction


      5.   As -he risk of biological aerosol attacks is greatest ;it night, it i-q
      recommended that during the hours of darkness as many personnel as oassible
      remain inside anv available fixed or ilmnrovised collective nr;tect4@on
      systems.

      6.   The entry of ,nen or materials into ;i collective T)rotection system does
      mean that unless suitable Precautions are taken, infectious or toxic agents
      could be carried in or on clothing or surfaces.  However, biological aerosol
      particles which  have qettled on hard, firm surfaces are unlikely to create
      ;-i hazard since @hev are not readily re-aerosolized;    The main risk comes
      from clothing of exr)@ed men and from flexible or triable surfaces,

      7.   In the case of nersonnel who may have been exooseri to a biological
      aerosol whilst outside the facility, a significant hazard      will only be
      created by particles deposited on the outer layers of their clothing (and
      possibly their hands, head and hair if these were not covered) and only
      then if they have been exrosed to a high challenge level. If this is a
      possibility, they should, before r)assing through the airlock, remove their
      outer clothing and should ideally wash their hands, face and hair if these
      have been exposed. Note, however, that the hair can adauately he Protected
      by wearing sim-ole hoods.

      Use of Individual Protective ErTuinment


      8.   Wearing a resriirator r)rovides virtually complete nrotection against a
      biological aerosol attack. The filters of NATO standard respirators will
      remove any biological   aerosol narticles which are nresent in the air.
ted, there will be insignifant leakage
      of air through the face seal.

      9.   Suits, gloves and  boo@s are not necessary if the only threat is from
      an off-target biological aerosol attack since there are virtually no
      biological -nate@ial which will infect directly through the skin when
      delivered in this way., It may, however, be necessary to wear full IPE to
      counter the possibility of a mixed chemical and biological attack.
                            I


      10. The ideal policy 4or Protection against biological aerosol attacks is,
      therefore, -for all Dersonnel who are not within fully eauinned collective
                          s to wear the respirators,               -@usk @-
      Protection facilitie                            ;it least f@om     to dawn.

      TJse of Tmnrovised Refuges

Document 109 f:/Week-36/BX003203/DETECTION OF MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS/detection of medical defense against biological :1217960927452
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-36
Box ID = BX003203
Unit = OTSG
Parent Organization = HSC
Folder Title = DETECTION OF MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
Folder Seq # = 21
Subject = DETECTION OF MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL
Document Seq # = 1
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 = 17-DEC-1996