NBC and international missions : protection against chemical warfare agents and toxic chemicals : recommendations
Publish date: 2001-05-21
Report number: FOA-R--00-01776-865
Pages: 57
Written in: Swedish
Abstract
The objective of this study is to recommend measures against the shortcomings previously identified in connection with international operations. One of the most important measures is an improvement of the planning process. A survey of chemical risks, such as chemical industry, mining, waste handling and potential presence of chemical warfare agents, should be made at an initial stage. The assessment of chemical threats varies depending on the authority or organisation that is making the assessment. On account of this, different actors have been present at the same location but with different protection capacities. To handle this problem, the report suggests different protection levels, based on the actual threat situation in the area. To improve the gathering of information on a long-term basis and to take advantage of the experience from accomplished missions, a joint data processing file could be used. The file should be available also during the time the assignment is carried through, to serve as a support against occurring incidents. The communication and interchange of experience between different operative functions must also be improved.