NCJ Number
194406
Date Published
1990
Length
139 pages
Annotation
In the event of an unplanned release of chemical agents during any stage of the Chemical Stockpile Disposal Program, there is potential for contamination of drinking water, forage crops, grains, garden produce, and livestock; this technical support study provides information and analyses that can be used by Federal, State, and local emergency planners in determining the safety of re-entry to, as well as the potential for recovery of, contaminated or suspect areas beyond the installation boundary.
Abstract
This report provides guidelines for the disposition of contaminated livestock, agricultural crops, and personal/real property; and advisories for the ingestion of food crops, water, meat, and milk from the affected zones are proposed. The report does not address potential adverse effects on or agent contamination of wild species of plants or animals. Since persistent agents such as VX a chemical nerve agent or sulfur mustard pose the greatest human health concern for re-entry, this study developed and applied a relative-potency approach to compare the toxicity of VX to organophosphate insecticide analogues. The results were used to estimate potential allowable residues for VX in foodstuffs. A similar approach was developed and proposed for the carcinogenic potency of sulfur mustard. Other issues addressed in this analysis include the problem of contaminated porous surfaces, current and potential capabilities for reproducible detection, the handling of potentially contaminated human remains, and the utility of these findings in training/equipping host communities. A major outstanding issue is the development of "safe" exposure levels for public use of potentially contaminated water and food items and public access to potentially contaminated real and personal property. For unlimited public access that involves possible combined dermal, inhalation, and ingestion exposure pathways, it is not yet clear at what concentrations to establish safe exposure levels. Re-entry intervals developed for certain potent agricultural insecticides indicate that restricted access for VX may be on the order of weeks following an unplanned agent release. It is also clear that more involvement by services responsible for food safety and inspection and veterinary/crop management is needed in re-entry planning at the Federal, State, and local levels. This report presents mechanisms for implementing this involvement, as well as treatment/information resources. 4 figures and 29 tables