Radiological Contamination

Although nuclear weapons have been used in combat, there are no reliable data as to the effect of nuclear explosions on field water supplies. However, available fallout data leave no doubt that contamination of water supplies by this means must be considered. Since radiation is not detectable by human senses, you should use instruments and laboratory tests to determine its presence.

A nuclear attack over or near a source of water supply will probably cause its contamination with radioactive materials. A nuclear explosion could cause contamination by any of the following (listed in the decreasing order of importance to the water point operator):

. Fallout of fission products l Induced activity in the water and surrounding soil

. Blow-in or wash-in of radioactive dust

O Fallout of unfissioned uranium or plutonium

The magnitude of contamination depends upon the yield of the weapon, the location of the detonation with respect to the water source, and whether it is air, surface, or subsurface burst.

TREATMENT OF CBR CONTAMINATION

If chemical, biological, or radiological agents, or any combination of these, are used, the field water supply will inevitably be involved. It is impossible to foresee what type of agent will be used, but effective security measures can decrease and counteract the hazards of all three types of agents.

Effective security involves prompt and accurate detection. Contamination by chemical agents usually, although not always, leaves significant signs that should arouse immediate suspicion. These are drastic lowering of the pH value of the water, characteristic odors and tastes, and dead fish. If chemical contamination is suspected, the medical officer will have medical personnel test the water with the Chemical Agent Water Testing Kit M272. A complete technical and operational breakdown of this kit can be found in Army TM-3-6665-319-10.

Advice and guidance from the medical officer must be sought and followed carefully when water contaminated by CBR agents must be treated and used. Specialized training of personnel in the latest means of detection and treatment will aid water supply technicians in safeguarding the lives and health of personnel.

If contamination of any type, by CBR agents or poisonous industrial wastes, is detected, every effort must be made to find an uncontaminated water source before considering treating and using water known to be contaminated.

When an uncontaminated source of supply is not available for use, permission must be secured from proper medical authority to proceed with treatment of the contaminated water.

Water is considered CONTAMINATED AND UNSAFE for treating if one or more of the following results are obtained from competent testing:

Water is considered safe for treatment by the usual methods if the pH is above 6.0 and all other contamination tests are negative.

When contamination by a CBR (chemical, biological, radiological) agent has been determined to be present in your water source, the Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Unit (ROWPU) may be used.

The ROWPU will successfully remove 99 percent of CBR contamination from a water source. A post-treatment system in conjunction with the ROWPU will remove a total of 99.9 percent of CBR contamination.

Post Treatment

The 600-gph ROWPU post-treatment system consists of two CBR cylinders. One cylinder is for nuclear and the other is for chemical. The types of contamination present will determine what cylinder you should use. The CBR cylinder filters are capable of decontaminating water for up to 100 operating hours. The cylinder marked "nuclear" contains resin beads that absorb certain ions present on the nuclear battlefield. The cylinder marked "chemical" contains activated carbon that absorbs agents found on the chemical battlefield.

[ Back ] [ Home ] [ Up ] [ Next ]

Privacy Statement - Press Release - Copyright Information. - Contact Us - Support Integrated Publishing