NCJ Number
190332
Date Published
August 2000
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This document describes a test assessing the capability and general characteristics of the APD2000 to detect chemical warfare agent vapors.
Abstract
The agents used included Tabun (GA), Sarin (GB), and Mustard (HD). These were considered representative chemical warfare (CW) agents because they were believed to be the most likely threats. The test concept was to determine the minimum concentration levels (Minimum Detectable Level, MDL) where repeatable detection readings would be achieved. The military Joint Services Operational Requirements (JSOR) for point sampling detectors served as a guide for detection sensitivity objectives. Also, the goals were to investigate the humidity and temperature effects on detector response and observe the effects of potential interfering vapors upon detector performance both in the field and in the laboratory. Conclusions were that the APD2000 demonstrated CW agent vapor detection for HD, GA, and GB. The minimum detectable levels for the CW agents tested were approximately an order of magnitude better than the current military JSOR sensitivity requirements for a point sampling alarm. The two detector units produced consistently similar responses at all conditions tested. The ability to detect agent in the presence of an interfering vapor, when the vapor itself did not cause a false alarm, had been demonstrated. Civilian first responders and HAZMAT personnel use Immediate Danger to Life or Health (IDLH) values to determine levels of respiratory protection selection during consequence management of an incident. Army Regulation (AR) gives IDLH and Airborne Exposure Limit (AEL) values for GA/GB, and an AEL value for HD. The APD2000 detectors demonstrated detection of G agents to their IDLH values at all temperature and humidity conditions tested but were unable to detect to the AEL values for HD, GA, or GB.