Index to Reconn/Decon Webpages

Role of the CST

Weapons of Mass Destruction

Tracking an Aerosol Release

Reconn/Decon Module

Module Specs

Chemical Warfare

Chemical Terrorism

Chemical Response Kit

Biological Warfare

Biological Terrorism

Bio-Sampling Kit

Anthrax

Plague

Tularemia

DNA Studies

Decon Shower

Decon Solution & Foam

Chemical Response Kit

Introduction

In contrast to biological warfare agents, the effect of chemical agents is very quick. The premise for the Chemical Response Kit is that a reconnaissance team will be at the site within one, two or three hours after an attack and that their primary task will be to detect the presence of a chemical agent, identify the agent, and determine its geographical distribution. The Chemical Response Kit has instruments to detect chemical agents, equipment and supplies to collect samples for lab analysis, and a system to decontaminate a limited area.

Instruments to Detect Chemical Agents

By special arrangement with the Reeves Group, PLI is able to include the Advanced Portable Detector in the Chemical Response Kit. The Advanced Portable Detector is a hand-held instrument that detects a number of poisonous gases using ion mobility spectrometry. [Note: This link goes to a .pdf file and requires the Acrobat Reader.] The instrument contains a source of ⁶³Ni or ²⁴¹Am that ionizes gas drawn in by a pump. The gas sample is injected into a "drift" tube and the travel time for ions to reach the two electrodes is measured. The size of the impulses and the travel time are used to distinguish various agents and their concentrations.

A major advance in determining unknown organic chemicals in the field has been to ruggedize the mass spectrometer and the gas chromatograph, instruments which in previous years were known for the ease with which they loose their calibration due to jarring. The portable MS/GC or HAPSITE weighs only about 40 lbs. The headspace sampling system analyzes organic compounds when they are volatized. The HAPSITE system is currently used by Civil Support Teams.

Collecting Samples

The sample box has space to carry soil samples placed in plastic ZipLoc^® bags and water samples in plastic sample bottles. One portable, battery-operated air sampler is also included. The low-volume air sampler can be hung on a tree or telephone pole and can collect particulates and gases in the air for up to 24 hours.

Decontamination of a Small Site

As part of its Chemical Response Kit, PLI supplies a scaled-down version of its Fire-Fighting Module that is a is suitable for dispensing decontamination foam. This small "slip-on" unit fits into the box of a 6-wheel utility vehicle. The tank holds 70 gallons of water or decontamination solution which can be applied as a foam. A two-stroke gasoline engine drives a 20 gpm centrifugal pump. The manual, stainless hose reel holds 50 feet of 3/4 inch hose. The unit is removable and mounted on a heavy-duty aluminum skid assembly.