Military Test Subjects: DISCLOSURE of Information on Project 112

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" Amy Sasser " <asasser

Wed, 2 Feb 2005 07:52:42 -0500

 

 

DISCLOSURE of Information on Project 112

 

 

 

 

DISCLOSURE of Information on Project 112

 

embedded links & Chart*@

http://deploymentlink.osd.mil/current_issues/shad/final_report/disclose.htm

 

This report is submitted pursuant to section 709(e) of the National

Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003, Public Law 107-314 and

documents completion of Department of Defense activities contemplated

by the investigation plan submitted pursuant to sections 709(a) and

(b) of the same law. This law called for submission by the Department

of Defense (DoD) to Congress and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs

(VA) of a comprehensive plan for the review, declassification, and

submittal to VA of all DoD information on Project 112 relevant to the

provision of VA benefits to Project 112 participants, and then for a

six-month progress report and final report upon completion of all

activities contemplated by the comprehensive plan. The statute defines

Project 112 as the chemical and biological weapons vulnerability

testing program conducted by the Deseret Test Center from 1963 to

1969, including the Shipboard Hazard and Defense (SHAD) project.

 

 

Historical Perspective

 

In 1961, Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara launched a wide-ranging

assessment of how the Department of Defense (DoD) was organized and

how the armed forces were structured and equipped to secure the

nation. Of the approximately 150 sequentially numbered intensive

studies undertaken, the 112th addressed chemical and biological

warfare capabilities and defense.

 

Project 112 began during the early Cold War era when the United States

faced a nuclear threat from both the Soviet Union and China. The

Soviet Union was also suspected of having active chemical and

biological warfare development programs. The United States considered

chemical and biological warfare as an alternative to nuclear war.

However, knowledge of nerve agent behavior in the field and

operational decontamination in varying climates and terrain was

limited. Despite extensive experimentation by the British and Japanese

during Word War II, reliable biological agent weaponization had not

been achieved. The effects of biological weapons in varying climates

and terrain were also largely unexplored. Because DoD's knowledge of

chemical and biological warfare agent behavior was so limited, a

testing program was begun.

 

The U.S. Army was directed to establish a test center that would be

staffed and funded by all the Services and would coordinate a joint

test program. The Army established the Deseret Test Center at Fort

Douglas, Utah, in June 1962. That location allowed test center

personnel to take advantage of facilities and personnel at Dugway

Proving Ground, Utah, to support tests, which were expected to be

conducted in the Pacific Ocean or on land in Alaska, Hawaii and the

then-Panama Canal Zone. From 1962 to 1973, the Deseret Test Center

conducted a series of operational chemical and biological warfare

tests in support of Project 112. Project SHAD (Shipboard Hazard and

Defense) was a subset of that program. Much of the chemical and

biological warfare agent behavior information collected then remains

valid today.

 

The Deseret Test Center's testing objectives and priorities were

established at a series of more-or-less annual joint planning

conferences attended by representatives of the Services and Joint and

Combatant Commands. The Center's biological testing program was

significantly curtailed after President Nixon's November 25, 1969,

renunciation of biological weapons and limitation of research to

" techniques of immunization and measures of controlling and preventing

the spread of disease. " A week earlier, passage and signature of

Public Law 91-121 had inserted the then-Department of Health,

Education and Welfare into the approval process for all open-air tests

involving actual chemical or biological agents. A year later, the

Clean Air Act of 1970 formally established guidelines on the release

of substances into the air. By mid-1971, the Deseret Test Center's

funding had been severely curtailed and it closed in 1973.

 

Investigation Timeline

 

Beginning in late 1991 and continuing for approximately five years,

the Department of the Army, as DoD executive agent for chemical and

biological matters, received and responded to several Congressional

inquiries on behalf of three possible Project SHAD veterans. In 1992,

the Army confirmed the existence of the Project SHAD program and

provided, in relation to these specific inquiries, vessels involved,

test locations and substances used. In a 1994 response, unclassified

or redacted documents were also provided. In 1997 and 1998, there was

renewed Congressional, Department of Veterans Affairs and media

interest in release of additional information on the testing program.

In August 2000, VA Acting Secretary Gober asked DoD to provide

information concerning the Project SHAD tests. At the time of the

request, information on three tests - Autumn Gold, Copper Head and

Shady Grove - was needed to satisfy pending claims, but additional

Project SHAD tests were believed to have occurred.

 

In September 2000, responsibility for the investigation was assigned

to the organization now known as the Deployment Health Supportate (DHSD). Weekly meetings between the DoD investigative team

leader and VA's compensation and health benefits managers ensured that

the DoD team was searching for the specific information that the VA

needed. That information included the dates and locations of the

tests, the vessels involved, lists of the chemical and biological

agents, simulants, tracer materials and decontaminants documented to

have been used in the tests and rosters of the personnel aboard the

vessels.

 

Investigators received some initial documentation from the Dugway

Proving Ground technical library and, once the investigation expanded

beyond the first three tests, searched for more in the archives of the

Dahlgren Naval Surface Warfare Center. The first major hurdle was the

discovery that 'SHAD,' while a valid umbrella term, was not commonly

used at the time of the testing and thus was not a helpful search

term. Investigators had to identify individual test names and numbers

and use those as search criteria. Even with that information, document

searches proved to be more difficult than expected because some of the

tests had more than one name and/or test number.

 

When the investigation was expanded beyond the first three tests, DoD

decided veterans of individual tests should not have to wait for a

full report of the investigation. Investigators were instructed to

prepare fact sheets for delivery to the VA and publication as soon as

they had compiled and declassified the necessary information. The

Autumn Gold, Copper Head and Shady Grove fact sheets were provided to

the VA on September 13, 2001, and posted to the DHSD Web site,

DeploymentLINK, to inform the public. The Autumn Gold and Copper Head

tests both used biological simulants; Shady Grove used biological

warfare agents.

 

In a joint DoD/VA press conference on January 31, 2002, the Eager

Belle I and II and Scarlet Sage fact sheets were released and were

posted to the DHSD Web site to inform the public. Biological simulants

were used in all three tests.

 

The Flower Drum I and II, Fearless Johnny, Purple Sage, DTC Test

68-50, and DTC Test 69-32 fact sheets were released on May 23, 2002.

The fact sheets were posted to the DHSD Web site to inform the public.

The Flower Drum series and Fearless Johnny used chemical warfare nerve

agents. Purple Sage was a chemical simulant test. DTC Test 68-50 used

biological warfare agent and DTC Test 69-32 used biological simulants.

 

By this point, the investigation indicated that both shipboard and

land-based testing were planned by the Deseret Test Center. The DoD

committed to obtaining and providing to VA all medically relevant

information and names of servicemembers present during all tests known

to have been planned and conducted by the Deseret Test Center from

1962-1973. Document searches had already expanded to Aberdeen Proving

Ground, Maryland, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and several sites in

the Washington, D.C., area. Investigators developed an understanding

of the role the Deseret Test Center played in the planning and

execution of the tests. A major breakthrough came with the discovery

of several Deseret semi-annual and annual progress reports, which

allowed a better understanding of the universe of tests being

investigated.

 

In July 2002, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs

William Winkenwerder Jr., MD formed a task force committed to

completing the search for documents and providing all medically

relevant information to the VA by June 2003. To allow public oversight

of the team's progress, a chart showing the current status of the

investigation was posted to the DeploymentLINK Web site and

continually updated. In late August 2002, the investigative team

traveled to Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, where they located additional

final test reports. The team also secured a complete set of annual

planning conference reports, searched and retrieved relevant documents

from paper archives, initiated actions to have fragile classified

films copied to a more stabile media, and interviewed several former

Deseret Test Center scientists.

 

In October 2002, DoD published 33 fact sheets based on newly

discovered material from the Dugway, Utah, trip. Personnel information

was provided to the VA in advance of a series of activities to

communicate with Congress and the public. Publication of the fact

sheets and posting the information to the DeploymentLINK Web Site

followed a series of briefings to members of Congress and state

delegations, Congressional testimony, and a joint DoD/VA press

briefing. Fact sheets published included: Whistle Down, Night Train,

Tall Timber, West Side I, Magic Sword, Big Tom, Sun Down, Devil Hole

I, High Low, Elk Hunt I, Elk Hunt II, Pine Ridge, Devil Hole II, Swamp

Oak I, Green Mist, West Side II, Half Note, Dew Point, Red Cloud,

Watch Dog, Rapid Tan, DTC Test 68-53, DTC Test 69-10, DTC Test 69-12,

DTC Test 69-14, DTC Test 69-31, DTC Test 69-75, DTC Test 70-73, Big

Jack A, Big Jack B, Yellow Leaf, Red Oak I and Pin Point. Of the 33

fact sheets, 16 detailed the use of simulants and 17 detailed the use

of live chemical or biological agents in the tests.

 

 

In December 2002, DoD released one additional fact sheet, Cliff Rose,

and corrected a previously released fact sheet, High Low, based on

information provided by several veterans. The information was provided

to the VA and posted to the Web Site, DeploymentLINK, to inform the

public. The investigative team intensified its search into obscure

references to determine the status of the remaining tests.

 

Final declassification of medically relevant information on eight

tests in June 2003 completed the public release of information on all

known planned Deseret Test Center chemical and biological operational

tests from 1962 to 1973. Fact sheets for three shipboard tests

included Errand Boy, Folded Arrow and DTC Test 70-C. Seven fact sheets

for five land-based tests included Blue Tango, DTC Test 70-11 Phase I

subtest 3, DTC Test 70-11 Phase I subtest 4, DTC Test 70-74, DTC Test

73-30, DTC Test 74-10 Phase I and DTC Test 74-10 Phase II. The fact

sheets were provided to the VA and posted to the Web site. Two of the

shipboard tests - Errand Boy and Folded Arrow, used biological warfare

agent simulants; one test - DTC Test 70-C - monitored naturally

occurring airborne particulates in a marine atmosphere to gather

background data. Of the five land-based tests, two used nerve agent

simulants and three used biological simulants. The team also provided

updated information on two tests; Big Tom and Half Note, based on

recently located information and provided detailed analyses to explain

why 20 tests were presumed to have been canceled.

 

Table 1. Released Fact Sheets

 

New

Tests

Revised

 

September 13, 2001 3

3

 

January 31, 2002 3

2

 

May 23, 2002 6

5

 

October 9, 2002 28

27

 

October 31, 2002 5

4

 

December 31, 2002 1

1

1

 

June 30, 2003 10

8

2

 

56

50

3

 

 

The rosters of personnel aboard participating vessels were extracted

from the ships' muster rolls and deck logs archived at National

Archives II in College Park, Maryland. Lists of military personnel who

participated in land-based tests have been assembled from available

test officers' logbooks, temporary duty orders, country clearance

messages, overtime reports, letters of commendation, and similar

documents.

 

Personnel rosters for tests Autumn Gold, Copperhead and Shady Grove

were provided to the VA beginning in March 2001. By release of the

October 2002 fact sheets, personnel rosters were being passed prior to

fact sheet publication to facilitate the VA's address acquisition

process. Over 8800 records have been passed to the VA, documenting the

participation of 5,842 individuals in one or more of the 50 tests.

 

Table 2. Summary of Personnel Information Flow to the VA

 

Date

No. of Records

 

March 2001 1535

July 2001 288

January 2002 1549

February 2002 11

May 2002 836

June 2002 126

July 2002 457

September 2002 891

October 2002 18

December 2002 433

January 2003 1275

February 2003 1

April 2003 7

June 2003 1415

 

Records 8,842

Individuals 5,842

 

 

No military personnel data were located for the following land-based

tests: Whistle Down, Big Jack A, Big Jack B, Night Train, Sun Down,

Devil Hole I, Swamp Oak I, West Side II, Pin Point, Dew Point, Red

Cloud, Watch Dog, Rapid Tan, Cliff Rose, DTC Test 68-53, DTC Test

69-12, DTC Test 69-14, DTC Test 69-75, DTC Test 70-11, DTC Test 70-73,

DTC Test 70-74 and DTC Test 74-10. No personnel data were reported to

the VA for the shipboard test Flower Drum II because the target vessel

was unmanned. No personnel data were reported to the VA for the

shipboard test DTC Test 70-C because this test only collected air

samples of naturally occurring airborne particulates while traveling

from San Diego to Panama. No agents or simulants were released.

 

The purpose of this investigation was to locate information concerning

possible exposures to military personnel. During the course of its

work, the investigative team did locate documentation substantiating

the participation of approximately 350 government civilian employees

and contractor personnel.

 

In its search for medically relevant information, the investigative

team has contacted and/or visited every command and government

research activity known to have been affiliated with the Deseret Test

Center. In general, the type of records found were technical reports

on tests plans and results. Such reports were and are classified for

national security reasons because information on dissemination

characteristics of, and operational countermeasures to, chemical and

biological agents and simulants for those agents could be used by

adversaries or terrorist organizations with chemical or biological

weapons program ambitions. However, without compromising national

security information, the identification of agents or simulants,

tracers and decontaminants used in tests can be declassified and

released in fact sheets to answer questions about veterans' exposures

under Project 112. Fact sheets have been published, which meet the

VA's criteria for the information needed to evaluate compensation

claims and health care needs. The DHSD will continue to cooperate with

the VA should additional information be needed for the purposes of

detailed epidemiological studies. Although we have conducted an

exhaustive search for information pertinent to possible VA benefits

for Project 112 veterans, we cannot agree that any degree of searching

records archives of a long ago terminated program would result in

complete current documentation of all aspects of the program.

Nonetheless, we believe the evidence found produces an accurate total

picture of the Deseret Test Center program. We know of no other

investigative leads that would meaningfully supplement that picture.

However, the DHSD will investigate any new information that may be

presented and share any additional or changed information with the VA

and the public.

 

In DoD's investigation, no test-specific medical records or classified

medical records were found. Technical reports on tests did not include

personally identifiable information on health effects of exposures.

The purpose of the tests was not to measure health effects; the

purpose was to assess dissemination characteristics and operational

countermeasures. Confirming reports from some veterans that in some

tests nasal swabs and gargle samples were taken, one test report

records results from nasal swab and gargle samples of several

individuals, but these results did not include personal identifiers

that would tie the results to specific individuals or produce

information for medical records. These samples taken from individuals

were to test the comparative filtering effects of different types of

gas masks. In relation to other tests, several references to possible

health surveillance activities and protective measures were also found

in technical reports of test plans or results, matters presumably

documented, to the extent they actually occurred, in members'

individual medical records. We found an indication that in the 11-year

history of the Deseret Test Center program there were four infections

and no deaths. We found no other information connecting this notation,

which might involve Deseret Test Center laboratory workers, to any

particular Project 112 test or tests. We found no personally

identifiable information on illnesses or medical treatments.

 

Review of the operational test planning documents and final test

report documents and discussions with several of the scientists who

planned and conducted these tests have provided substantiation that

whenever harmful chemical or biological warfare agents were used as

test substances, personnel present were appropriately protected.

Actual exposure to such agents would result in acute health effects.

However, when chemical or biological simulants or tracer materials

were used, there were no efforts made to protect personnel because

those substances were not believed to be harmful. For the shipboard

operational testing, we have reviewed the ships' deck logs and have

not found any indication of acute medical problems (deaths, medical

evacuations, or numerous crewmembers becoming ill) at the time of this

testing or immediately afterwards. This is also the case for those

land-based tests for which we have located test officers' logs. In

addition, neither the final test reports nor the Deseret Test Center

scientists we talked with indicated any acute medical problems arising

from participation in the series of tests we reviewed. Many of the

chemical simulants that were used by the Deseret Test Center continue

to be used as chemical simulants today. Only one of the biological

simulants - Bacillus subtillis var. niger (Bacillus globigii) -

continues to be used as a biological simulant for operational testing

today. The other biological simulants have been replaced with agents

having a lower risk of causing acute infections in immuno-compromised

individuals. The decontaminants used were recognized to have acute

effects on people if proper precautions were not taken; however, these

substances are still being used today.

 

The Institute of Medicine, Medical Follow-up Agency, has been

contracted to conduct a study of the current health of those sailors

who were present during Shipboard Hazard and Defense (SHAD) testing

and to compare their health status with sailors of the same period who

were on similar ships which did not participate in operational

chemical and biological testing. The results of this study should be

concluded in 2005.

 

Although the information available does not suggest a pattern of

illness or disability attributable to Project 112/SHAD participation,

DoD believes the information that has been found, declassified, and

released will greatly assist both further assessment of the entire

project, such as the IOM study, and further analysis of individual

veteran's disability claims. For thousands of veterans, the VA will

now be able to confirm participation in SHAD and make a determination

about exposure to a particular substance of substances. If scientific

evidence supports a cause and effect link between such exposure and a

disabling illness, the elements needed for a disability compensation

award or other veterans' benefits will all be established.

 

The DHSD hears from Project 112 veterans almost daily. Many of those

veterans have sent copies of documents that have helped the

investigation. Every veteran's account has been heard and factored

into the investigation. Their recollections and personal documents

have been very helpful in filling in the gaps in the official record.

 

A Commendation to Project 112 Veterans

 

The Department of Defense wishes to acknowledge the patriotic service

of all who participated in the Project 112 program. Publication of

this report summarizes a significant effort on the part of many people

in the Department of Defense to ensure important information has been

made available to service members and the Department of Veterans

Affairs. DoD understands that some Project 112/SHAD veterans feel this

investigation should have been conducted and the information provided

years ago, and hopes that the efforts summarized in this report are

responsive to their concerns. This in-depth investigation reflects an

individual and collective commitment to veterans and their families to

help bring closure and to replace speculation and uncertainty with fact.

 

What We Know Today

 

The Deseret Test Center planned 134 operational tests in support of

Project 112. Fifty were conducted and 84 canceled. Table 3 shows the

distribution of land- and sea-based (SHAD) tests.

 

Table 3. Distribution of Project 112 tests

 

Project 112

Land-based

Project SHAD

 

Planned 134 90 44

Conducted 50 31 19

Canceled 84 59 25

 

 

 

Approximately half of the Project SHAD tests were conducted in the

open ocean. The remaining tests were conducted in the coastal waters

of California, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the Marshall Islands. Table 4

shows the locations of the 19 completed Project SHAD tests.

 

Table 4. Location of Project SHAD Tests

 

Atlantic Ocean 1

Vieques, Puerto Rico 1

Pacific Ocean 13

Baker Island

1

Off Hawaiian Islands

3

Off San Diego

5

Open Ocean

4

Oahu, Hawaii 3

Entire Island

2

Pearl Harbor

1

Marshall Islands 1

Total 19

 

 

Approximately two-thirds of the Project 112 land-based tests were

conducted outside the continental United States. Half of those were

conducted in Alaska because the test sites could be used under both

temperate and arctic conditions. Most of those conducted in the

continental United States were conducted at Dugway Proving Ground,

Utah. Table 5 shows the primary locations of the 31 completed

land-based tests; some tests conducted a portion of their trials at

other listed test sites.

 

Table 5. Primary location of Project 112 land-based tests

 

Alaska 11

Florida 1

Hawaii 4

Georgia 1

Maryland 1

Utah 7

Canada 1

Canada and Great Britain 1

Panama 3

Unspecified 1

Total 31

 

 

Test documentation lists 21 Navy and Army vessels as participating in

one or more Project SHAD tests. These vessels are listed in Table 6.

 

Table 6. Participating vessels

 

USNS Silas Bent

USS Berkeley

USS Carbonero

USS Carpenter

USS George Eastman

USS Fechteler

USS Granville S. Hall

USS Hoel

USNS Samuel Phillips Lee

USS Navarro

USS Okanogan

USS Power

USS Fort Snelling

USS Herbert J. Thomas

USS Tioga County

USS Wexford County

LT2080

LT2081

LT2085

LT2086

LT2087

 

The fact sheets for each test identify the substances used in that

particular test. Summarized below are the substances documented to

have been used in one or more of the Project 112 tests along, with

their known health effects.

 

Warfare Agents

 

Chemical Agents:

 

Tabun (GA). Tabun is an amber, non-persistent liquid, which gives off

little odor when vaporizing. The vapor is colorless. When exposed to

Tabun, the first symptoms a victim will experience are a runny nose,

tightness in the chest and dilation of the pupils. The victim will

then encounter difficulty breathing, drooling from the mouth and

nausea. Ultimately the victim will become comatose and will suffocate

as a consequence of convulsive spasms. Tabun is essentially absorbed

through the skin; however, vapors can also be hazardous. If a person

does not receive an immediate lethal dose, death will occur after

approximately 20 minutes. Those receiving a less than lethal dose who

do not receive immediate medical care may suffer permanent

neurological damage. There is little information available regarding

the long-term human health effects of exposure to low does of tabun.

[stockholm International Peace Research Institute at

http://www.cbw.sipri.se/docu/cw-agents/tabun.html]

 

Sarin (GB). Sarin is a volatile and lethal nerve agent. It can enter

the body by inhalation, ingestion, through the eyes, and to a lesser

extent through the skin. After exposure to a sufficient dose, symptoms

may occur within minutes and include runny nose, watery eyes,

difficulty breathing, dimness of vision, confusion, drowsiness, coma,

and death. Very little information is available regarding long-term

health effects following exposures to low levels that do not cause

acute symptoms. An Institute of Medicine Committee concluded that

there was insufficient evidence for or against an association between

low-level sarin exposure and long-term health effects. [Centers for

Disease Control at http://www.bt.cdc.gov/Agent/Nerve/Sarin/Sarin.asp]

 

Soman (GD). Soman is a colorless liquid, which gives off an odor of

rotting fruit when vaporizing. The vapor is colorless. Soman is a

persistent agent that can easily remain in a particular area for a day

or longer, depending on the atmospheric conditions. Symptoms

associated with exposure to Soman include a runny nose, tightness in

the chest and constriction of the pupils. These symptoms are followed

by difficulty in breathing. Ultimately the victim will become comatose

and suffocate as a consequence of convulsive spasms. There is little

information available regarding the long-term human health effects of

exposure to soman. [stockholm International Peace Research Institute

at http://www.cbw.sipri.se/docu/cw-agents/soman.html]

 

VX. VX nerve agent is extremely lethal. It is an oily liquid that is

clear, odorless, and tasteless. Death usually occurs within 10-15

minutes after absorption of a fatal dosage. VX nerve agent is one of

the most toxic substances ever synthesized. Symptoms of overexposure

may occur within minutes or hours, depending upon the dose. They

include: constriction of pupils, headaches, runny nose, salivation,

tightness in the chest, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, difficulty in

thinking, muscle twitches, tremors, and weakness. With severe

exposure, symptoms progress to convulsions and respiratory failure.

There is little information available regarding the long-term human

health effects of low doses of VX. [Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention at http://www.bt.cdc.gov/Agent/Nerve/VX/ctc0006.asp or

World Health Organization, Department of Sustainable Development &

Environmental Protection http://209.61.192.180/phe/factsheet5.htm]

 

Ester of Benzilic Acid (Agent BZ) (3-quinuclidinic ester of benzilic

acid). Agent BZ is a psychochemical compound designed for temporarily

disabling an enemy. It is designed to cause stupor, confusion and

hallucinations when inhaled or absorbed through the skin. It is a

white powder and may cause eye and skin irritation. Agent BZ may also

irritate the digestive and respiratory tracts, if inhaled or ingested.

While some effects may last several days or weeks, long-term or

late-developing health effects have not been documented and seem

unlikely. [http://www.fishersci.ca/msds.nsf or

http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/russia/cbw/jptac008_194001.html]

 

Biological Agents:

 

Coxiella burnetii (OU). This microorganism (a rickettsial species) can

cause acute and chronic infection of the lung, liver, heart valve,

nervous system, and other body sites (Q fever). Complications from

this infection may be serious, even life threatening, but

late-developing health effects would be unlikely. [Chin J, ed.,

Control of Communicable Diseases in Man, American Public Health

Association, Washington DC, 2000, p. 407-11; Marrie, Thomas J., in

Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases, 5th edition (vol. 2),

Churchill Livingstone, Philadelphia, 2000, p. 2043-50]

 

Francisella tularensis (TT and ZZ). Formerly identified as Pasteurella

tularensis, this bacterial species can cause acute infection of the

lung, bloodstream, and other body sites (tularemia), and is considered

a potential biological warfare agent. While complications of the acute

infection may be serious, even life threatening, long-term or

late-developing health effects would be very unlikely. [Cross, J et

al., in Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases, 5th edition

(vol. 2), Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds., Churchill

Livingstone, Philadelphia, 2000, p. 2393-2402; and Dennis DT et al.,

JAMA 2001;285(21):2763-73]

 

Puccinia graminis tritici (TX). This fungal species is toxic to

plants, and therefore was considered a potential biological warfare

agent directed against agricultural crops. It is not ordinarily

considered to have either short-term or long-term human health

effects. [Zajtchuk R., ed., Textbook of Military Medicine (part 1,

Medical Aspects of Chemical and Biological Warfare, 1997), Office of

the Army Surgeon General, Washington DC, 1997, p. 60, 460; and web

site at http://www.cbwinfo.com]

 

Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (PG2). When inhaled, this bacterial toxin

can cause fever and cough, incapacitation, and (with large doses)

death, and is considered a potential biological warfare agent. When

ingested, it commonly causes gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea,

vomiting, and diarrhea). Some symptoms may last weeks, but long-term

or late-developing health effects would be unlikely. [ulrich RG et

al., in Textbook of Military Medicine (part 1, Medical Aspects of

Chemical and Biological Warfare, 1997), Office of the Army Surgeon

General, Washington DC, 1997, p. 621-30]

 

Riot Control Agents:

 

CS and CS2. Two of several chemicals commonly called " Tear Gas. " CS

and CS2 are white, crystalline powders dispersed into the air as

either an aerosol or powder. The chemical name for CS and CS2 is

ortho-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile. Riot control agents affect the

eyes, airways and skin. Exposure to CS causes burning, irritation,

tearing and pain in the eyes. Airway symptoms include burning,

sneezing, cough, shortness of breath and increased secretions, such as

runny nose and increased salivation. High concentrations of CS or CS2

can cause blistering of the skin. With commonly used concentrations,

these effects are short-term and the potential for long-term health

consequences is low.

[http://www.metrokc.gov/health/hazard/riotcontrol.htm#cs and Cornell

University, http://msds.pdc.cornell.edu/msds/sirichl/chlfz.html ]

 

Simulants

 

Chemical Simulants:

 

Bis (2-ethyl-hexyl) hydrogen phosphite. This chemical compound used as

an additive in industrial lubricants can cause acute irritation of the

skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. There is insufficient evidence for

or against long-term health effects. [NLM TOXNET at

http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov.]

 

Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). This chemical is commonly present

in flexible plastics and therefore widespread in the environment and

of some concern for the general population. While low level exposures

have not been shown to cause serious health effects, acute exposure to

high levels of this chemical can cause irritation of the skin, eyes,

and respiratory tract. DEHP has caused cancer in some animal testing,

but the relevance of this testing to cancer in humans is uncertain.

[DHHS PHS ATSDR ToxFAQs, Di(2- ethylhexyl)phthalate #117-81-7, April

1993, and Toxicological Profile for Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP),

September 2000, both available at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov. Also WHO

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monographs on the

Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans (vol. 77, Some Industrial

Chemicals updated February 23, 2000), and NLM TOXNET,

Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate 117-81-7 Human Health Effects, available at

http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov]

 

Diethyl phthalate. This chemical is commonly present in flexible

plastics and cosmetics as well as in some insecticides and repellents,

and therefore widespread in the environment and of some concern for

the general population. While low level exposures have not been shown

to cause serious human health effects, acute exposure to high levels

of this chemical can cause irritation of the skin and eyes in animal

testing. It is mutagenic and carcinogenic in some cell and animal

testing, but these effects have not been demonstrated in humans. [DHHS

PHS ATSDR ToxFAQs, Diethyl Phthalate #84-66-2, September 1996, and

Toxicological Profile for Diethyl Phthalate, both available at

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov. Also NLM TOXNET, Diethyl Phthalate 84-66-2,

HSDB Human Health Effects and Animal Toxicity Studies, as well as

CCRIS, IRIS and other databases, all available at

http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov]

 

Dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP). Dimethylmethylphosphonate is used

as a flame retardant, a pre-ignition additive for gasoline, an

antifoam agent, a plasticizer and stabilizer, a textile conditioner

and anti-static agent, and an additive for solvents and

low-temperature hydraulic fluids. It may be harmful if inhaled,

swallowed or absorbed through the skin. It is a suspected carcinogen.

[http://ntp-server.niehs.nih.gov/htdocs/LT-studies/tr323.html]

 

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Polymethyl methacrylate is a clear

plastic used as a shatterproof replacement for glass. It is also found

in acrylic latex paints. Little is known about long-term health

effects of PMMA, but methyl methacrylate (from which PMMA is made) is

considered not likely to be carcinogenic to humans. [EPA,

Toxicological review of methyl methacrylate (CAS No. 80-62-6), January

1998, available at http://www.epa.gov, and NLM TOXNET, methyl

methracrylate, HSDB Human Health Effects, available at

http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov]

 

Methylacetoacetate (MAA). While acute exposure to this compound has

been associated with irritation of skin, eyes, respiratory tract, and

digestive tract, there is little or no evidence of long-term or

late-developing health effects and it is not known to cause cancer in

animal testing. [NLM TOXNET, Methyl acetoacetate 105-45-3, HSDB Human

Health Effects and Animal Toxicity Studies, available at

http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov]

 

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2). This compound is a common product of combustion

and an environmental air pollutant. Acute exposure to high levels of

sulfur dioxide can cause burning of the nose and throat, difficulty

breathing, and even obstruction of the airways. Long-term exposures

have been associated with breathing difficulty and lung damage. Even

low level exposures may worsen asthma. It can cause cancer in some

animal species, but this has not been clearly demonstrated in humans.

[DHHS PHS ATSDR ToxFAQs, Sulfur dioxide #7446-09-5, June 1999,

available at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov]

 

Trichloropropane. This chemical is used as an industrial solvent,

paint and varnish remover, and cleaning and degreasing agent. Exposure

to high levels for a short time causes eye and throat irritation.

[http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts57.html

http://www.osha-slc.gov/fts/chemicalsmapling/data/CH_273200.html]

 

Trioctyl phosphate (TOF). Used as a simulant for VX nerve agent. This

compound, also known as tri(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate, can irritate the

eyes, skin, and respiratory tract on contact. It can cause cancer in

some animal species, but this has not been demonstrated in humans.

[NLM TOXNET, Trioctyl phosphate 1806-54-8 or

Tris(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate 78-42-2, HSDB Human Health Effects and

Animal Toxicity Studies, available at http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov]

 

Biological Simulants:

 

Bacillus globigii (BG). Now considered to be a variety or close

relative of Bacillus subtilis, this bacterial species was used as a

simulant and considered harmless to healthy individuals. Bacillus

subtilis and similar Bacillus species are common in the environment,

and are uncommon causes of disease. They have been associated with

acute infections of the ear, meninges (brain lining), urinary tract,

lung, heart valve, bloodstream, and other body sites, but always or

nearly always in individuals whose health has already been

compromised. Long-term or late developing health effects would be very

unlikely. [Tuazon CU in Principles and Practice of Infectious

Diseases, 5th edition (vol. 2), ed., Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R,

Churchill Livingstone, Philadelphia, 2000, p. 2220-6, and US

Environmental Protection Agency, Bacillus subtilis Final Risk

Assessment, February 1997, available at http://www.epa.gov]

 

Escherichia coli (E. coli). This bacterial species is a common

inhabitant of the digestive tract but can also cause acute infection,

especially when it gains access to other body sites, like the urinary

tract, lung, and bloodstream. Long-term or late-developing health

effects of E. coli infection would be unlikely. [Eisenstein, Barry

I.et al, in Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases, 5th

edition (vol. 2), Churchill Livingstone, Philadelphia, 2000, p. 2299-301.]

 

Serratia marcescens (SM). This bacterial species can cause acute

infections of the urinary tract, lung, bloodstream, and other body

sites. These infections commonly occur in individuals whose health has

already been compromised, and often in patients who are already

hospitalized. Long-term or late-developing health effects would be

very unlikely. Its use as a bacterial marker for studying the

dissemination of bacterial aerosols was discontinued in 1969.

[Eisenstein, BI et al., in Principles and Practice of Infectious

Diseases (chap. 206), 2000]

 

T-3 coliphage. Coliphages are viruses (bacteriophages) that infect E.

coli bacteria and would not be expected to have harmful effects on

humans. [http://www.epa.gov/nerlcwww/1601ap01.pdf]

 

Other Substances

 

Tracer Materials:

 

Calcofluor (fluorescent brightener 28). Used as a fluorescent tracer

with Bacillus globigii. This chemical has been used as a medical

laboratory stain and as a whitening agent in detergents. It can cause

eye irritation in animal testing, but there is limited evidence for or

against human health effects. [NLM TOXNET, Cellufluor 4193-55-9,

available at net.nlm.nih.gov, and MSDS available at http://hazard.com]

 

Phosphorous 32. One of the highest-energy beta-emitting

radionucleotides commonly used in biomedical research. In general

Phosphorous 32 does not pose a severe threat from ingestion or

inhalation. High-energy betas from Phosphorous 32 pose an external

(skin and lens of the eye) dose hazard as well as a potential internal

hazard. Radiogenic health effects (primarily cancer) are observed in

humans only in doses in excess of 10 rem delivered at high dose rates.

Below this dose, estimation of adverse health effects is speculative.

Exposure can contribute to development of cancer.

[http://www.uos.harvard.edu/ehs/radsafety/gui_p32.shtml]

 

Tiara. A luminescent gelatinous material. No other information is

available.

 

Uranine. This chemical compound is added to cosmetics for color and is

commonly used (injected or applied) for medical diagnostic purposes

(e.g., for vascular imaging and eye staining). It can cause acute skin

reactions and acute allergic reactions (including life-threatening

anaphylaxis) in some individuals. Long-term and late-developing health

effects would be very unlikely. [NLM TOXNET, Fluorescein Sodium

518-47-8 and Fluorescein 2321-07-5, available at

http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov]

 

Zinc cadmium sulfide (ZCdS). This compound was aerosolized as a tracer

material for the dispersion of biological warfare agents because it

had similar properties. There has been little scientific study on the

toxicity of this compound when inhaled. A National Research Council

(NRC) committee focused on the cadmium component as potentially most

toxic. While higher concentrations and more prolonged exposures to

cadmium are associated with the development of lung cancer, the

concentrations and duration of exposure in the Army's tests were

substantially lower. The NRC committee concluded that the risk of

adverse health effects to populations in the area was low. [National

Research Council (National Academies), Toxicologic Assessment of the

Army's Zinc Cadmium Sulfide Dispersion]

 

Decontaminants:

 

Betapropiolactone (b-Propiolactone). This chemical is a disinfectant.

Modern uses for b-propiolactone include vaccines, enzymes, tissue

grafts, and surgical instruments; to sterilize blood plasma, water,

milk, and nutrient broth; and as a vapor-phase disinfectant in

enclosed spaces. Its sporicidal action kills vegetative bacteria,

pathogenic fungi, and viruses. The primary routes of potential human

exposure to b-propiolactone are inhalation, ingestion, and dermal

contact. Acute contact can cause skin, eye, and respiratory tract

irritation, sometimes with permanent damage. An International Agency

for Research on Cancer (IARC) working group reported no data are

available to evaluate the carcinogenicity of b-propiolactone in

humans. It is carcinogenic and mutagenic in animal and bacterial cell

testing. [Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes

of Health web site at http-server.niehs.nih.gov; EPA Technology

Transfer network Air Toxics Website, at http://epa.gov, and NLM

TOXNET, at http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov]

 

Calcium hypochlorite. Uses for calcium hypochlorite include bleach,

cleaning solutions, and disinfectants for drinking water, wastewater

purification systems, and swimming pools. When released into the air,

it is broken down by sunlight and compounds commonly found in the air.

Ingestion of small amounts can cause gastrointestinal irritation.

Larger amounts can cause corrosive injuries to the mouth, throat,

esophagus, and stomach and can be life threatening. Inhalation of

chlorine gas may cause nasal irritation, sore throat, and coughing.

Contact with the skin may cause burning pain, inflammation, and

blisters. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has

determined that hypochlorite salts are not classifiable as to their

carcinogenicity in humans. [ATSDR Medical management guidelines for

calcium hypochlorite and sodium hypochlorite, available at

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov]

 

Monoethanolamine. This chemical causes eye and skin burns, may be

harmful or fatal if swallowed, may cause dizziness and drowsiness, and

causes respiratory tract irritation and possibly damage. Chronic

exposure to skin may cause a persistent irritation or dermatitis.

Repeated inhalation may cause lung damage.

[http://www.astrochemicals.com/10129.pdf]

 

Other:

 

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes used in this test

were not infected. Health effects at the time would be the usual

swelling and irritation associated with mosquito bites. No long-term

or latent effects would be expected.

 

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