Detection

TM 9-1300-275/2

2-2.5.3.1 Early Symptoms (If exposure is from liquid or

f. Escort the decontaminated

casualty

vapor).

hospital without delay.

a. Pinpointing of eye pupils and dimness of vision.

2-2.6 Detection.

(May be absent entirely in cases of skin absorption.)

b. Running nose.

Use the chemical agent detector kit-blue-band detector

c. Tightness of chest.

tube/green-marked bottle, ABC-M8 VGH detector paper,

and detector ticket. Monitoring for detection can be

2-2.5.3.2 Early Symptoms (If exposure is by skin

done by using live, caged rabbits.

contact). Localized sweating and muscular twitching.

2-2.7 Decontamination (Of Liquid Agents).

2-2.5.3.3 Later Symptoms (Indicating severe exposure).

Procedures are listed in order of preference for effective

Nausea; possible vomiting.

decontamination in the shortest time.

Aeration is

Diarrhea.

effective for vapor.

Weakness.

Coma.

2-2.7.1 Caustic Soda Solution (Sodium Hydroxide,

Cessation of breathing.

Lye). Prepare a 10-percent concentration by mixing 10

pounds of caustic soda with 12 gallons of water. This

2-2.5.4 First Aid.

will destroy G-agents immediately to 5 minutes upon

a. If any of the foregoing symptoms appear, put on

contact.

a protective mask immediately, inject atropine (refer to

para. e following), and withdraw to an uncontaminated

a. When decontaminating fabrics, leather, and

area.

canvas, use a 5-percent solution (5 pounds caustic soda

b. For liquid in the eyes, flush immediately with

with 12 gallons of water).

clear water. Absorption of G-agent through the eyes is

b. Wear protective gloves and mask when

extremely rapid.

handling.

c. If a liquid agent gets on the skin, wash it off

c. This solution corrodes aluminum, tin, and zinc.

immediately with a stream of water and then wash the

d. When mixing, add the caustic soda to the water

contaminated area with soap and water. Use the skin

(not water to caustic soda) to prevent boiling and

decontaminant pad from the M13 individual

splattering because of excessive heat formed when

decontaminating and reimpregnating kit. Remove all

dissolving the caustic.

contaminated clothing quickly and carefully, taking

e. When decontaminating large amounts of a G-

necessary precautions to avoid self-contamination.

series agent, apply caustic solution slowly to prevent a

d. If the victim has stopped breathing, use mask to

violent reaction which causes boiling and splattering.

mouth respiration or remove him to a clean atmosphere

2-2.7.2 Washing Soda Solution (Sodium Carbonate).

and use the mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration

Prepare a 10-percent solution by mixing 10 pounds of

described in TM 8-285.

washing soda with 12 gallons of water.

Solution

e. If nerve-agent poisoning symptoms develop,

normally reacts against G-agents within 5 minutes.

inject immediately the atropine from one to three

automatic injectors (depending on the severity of

2-2.7.3 STB (Supertropical Bleach) Slurry. Mix 50

symptoms) into a muscle, preferably the back of the

pounds of STB, the content of its 8-gallon shipping

thigh muscle.

container, with 6 gallons of water. Leave this slurry on

the contaminated surface for a 30-minute period. Then

(1) After injection of atropine, dryness of the

wash it off with water and test for any remaining

mouth indicates that enough has been taken to

contamination. A dry mix (2 shovels full of STB to 3

overcome the dangerous effects of nerve agents.

shovels full of earth or similar material) may be placed

under equipment to decontaminate agents flushed from

NOTE

the equipment.

Atropine injections do not relieve headache

or difficulty in focusing the eyes. These

a. Toxic vapors are emitted from reaction with G-

symptoms are annoying but not dangerous.

agents.

b. This slurry is corrosive to most metals and

(2) If more atropine is needed, two more

injurious to most fabrics.

automatic injections may be administered at 3 to 8-

c. Dry STB will cause a fire upon contact with DS-

minute intervals.

Should additional injections be

needed, the officer or non-commissioned officer in

charge may give them.