Priority of chemicals for detection in air at international missions - proposal for reducing threats to personnel at aqute toxic releases to air

Authors:

  • Edlund Christina
  • Eriksson Håkan
  • Leffler Per
  • Liljedahl Birgitta
  • Wästerby Pär

Publish date: 2006-01-01

Report number: FOI-R--1995--SE

Pages: 17

Written in: Swedish

Keywords:

  • Chemicals
  • detection
  • international missions

Abstract

The variety of chemicals posing a threat to personnel on international missions is very wide and looks different depending on mission. Based on what level the industrial development has reached in an area, the threat will vary considerably. In this report, a prioritizing of chemicals posing a threat has been made. Focus is set on air dispersion of chemicals transported on roads and stored or handled in an industrial context. A list of chemicals is presented based on identification of relevant chemicals performed by different authorities and organisations (e.g. USACHPP and SRV). In order to illustrate the differences between mission areas, two examples are given in the report; one from Kosovo, where NBC-personnel made an inventory of used industrial chemicals in the province. The other example is a region where the industrial producton has not yet reached the large scale of production - seen on the Balkans - i.e. Africa or Afghanistan. These two examples show the differences in used chemicals and the difficulties in gaining knowledge. In the Balkans it was relatively easy to gain information on industrial chemicals in the area. In e.g. Africa, it may be more difficult. Often, qualified guesses are required when it comes to common, small scale industries in the region. It is also likely to find chemicals in these areas that are banned in the western world.