Dismantling of Mustard Shells: Evaluation of Worker's

0,21

MB

7

stron

6202

ID

Royal Military Academy

2006

rok

Introduction

The problem of non-stockpile chemical weapons is still important and this may continue to increase

in the future. One of the oldest methods for dealing with those obsolete shells is mechanical

dismantling, using drilling, sawing or milling to separate the toxic contents as much as possible from

the metallic part, followed by incineration of agents and residual metallic component. This approach

was initiated by Germany at its Munster Facilities (now GEKA) in 1980 [1]. Later on, in Belgium, in

the mid nineties, a dismantling facility was constructed, largely along the same principles. Despite

the advent of other technologies, this approach is still used and, for Belgium, it is currently still the

most important method for eliminating chemical shells.

In this contribution, the basics of the dismantling process will be described brie y with emphasis on

the problem of possible worker's exposure during the dismantling operations. Tolerated exposure

levels will be discussed and the analytical method will be outlined. Results obtained from monitoring

the operator's exposure to sulphur mustard during dismantling operations carried out over a three-

year period will be discussed.