- Author
- Macys, D. A. | Carpenter, R. I. | Risher, J. F. | Vinegar, A. | Dodd, D. E. | Wall, H. G.
- Title
- Results of a Workshop on Health Effects of Crude Oil Exposures Related to Operation Desert Storm. Final Report. February 14-15, 1991.
- Coporate
- ManTech Environmental Technology, Inc., Dayton, OH
- Sponsor
- Naval Medical Research Inst., Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
- Report
- NMRI-92-04, February 1992, 227 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Contract
- F33615-90-C-0532
- Keywords
- crude oil | health hazards | exposure | terminal facilities
- Identifiers
- Operation Desert Storm; field exposure
- Abstract
- On 14 and 15 February 1991, a workshop was held to identify the potential health effects of crude oil exposures as they might occur in the field under combat situations. The most significant findings and recommendations of the workshop were: If at all possible, stay out of refineries, petrochemical plants, terminal facilities, desalinization plants and other related facilities due to the extremely high inherent hazards presented by the chemicals that may be present. No significant acute medical problems were identified with skin contact with crude oil, nor were problems foreseen with most aspects of casualty care. Prolonged contact may, however, result in an impairment of physical performance due to the weight of soaked clothing, the odor (nauseating to some), increased heat stress from decreased sweating, and such. Troops should be warned not to use solvents such as gasoline, diesel fuel, or kerosene to remove the oil, because the resulting defatting of the skin will make them more prone to dermatitis, secondary skin infections, and increased absorption of chemical warfare (CW) agents. Exposure to the plumes from burning oil fields was judged to be at least as hazardous as similar exposures from other fossil fuel fires or forest fires, in that the primary effecfts would be eye and nasal irritation and smoke inhalation. The standard issue gas mask provides significant protection from the irritant effects of the smoke particles and from exposure to H2S and SO2. A simple sensing device for H2S gas, available off-the-shelf, should be obtained for use in and around oil fields. In concentrations that can be achieved in the field, H2S is lethal. If portable water becomes contaminated with crude oil, it probably remains safe to drink up to the point that personnel will reject it due to odor or taste.