CBR CONTAMINATION MARKERS

CONTAMINATION, DETECTION, AND IDENTIFICATION

Basic Military Requirements (BMR) Revised Edition
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Two types of surveys are usually conducted—a rapid, or gross, survey and a detailed survey. The rapid survey is a preliminary reconnaissance. Limited numbers of readings are taken in a minimum amount of time. The purpose of the rapid survey is to obtain a quick estimate of radiation levels at specified locations to determine the possibility of keeping stations manned. A detailed survey is used to determine the effectiveness of decontamination measures. All accessible areas and equipment are surveyed in a slow, methodical manner. Special attention is paid to areas that tend to hold contamination (rust spots, caulking in wood decks, canvas, rope, and so on). Each member of a monitoring team wears a protective mask and clothing and is equipped with both a pocket dosimeter and a high-range casualty dosimeter. No member with an open cut or wound should enter any contaminated area. Smoking, drinking, and eating are prohibited in contaminated areas. CBR CONTAMINATION MARKERS A standard system is used to mark areas contaminated by CW, BW, or nuclear agents. Look at figure 13-6, which shows CBR contamination markers. The markers are triangular in shape, with a base of approximately 11 1/2 inches and sides of about 8 inches. Each type of contamination is readily identified by the color of the marker. Additionally, they are labeled GAS, BIO, or ATOM, as appropriate. The front of the marker indicates the safe limits of the contaminated area. Never go beyond the markers without permission. The front of each marker also contains information about the contaminated area, such as the date and time of detection and the type of agent. NUCLEAR RADIATION When a ship is exposed to radiation or is radiologically contaminated (such as from a base surge or fallout), surveys are made to determine the degree of contamination. During surveys, two types of measurement are made—intensity (dose rate) of the radiation field and the total amount (dose) received. This information is used to calculate (find) the safe entry time (time after exposure when an area may be entered safely) and stay time (length of time a person may remain in an area without exceeding permissible radiation exposure levels). Dose rate is expressed in roentgens (gamma ray measurement only). The total dose is expressed in rads (any type of radiation). One measurement instrument is the radiac meter (radiac stands for radioactivity detection, indication, and computation). Usually, only qualified damage control (DC) personnel use the radiac meter; therefore, only the personnel dosimeter is covered here. Measurements are made using two basic types of personnel dosimeters—self-reading and nonself- reading. The self-reading pocket dosimeter (fig. 13-7) is about the size and shape of a fountain pen and comes in the following ranges: 0 to 5 roentgens 0 to 200 roentgens 0 to 600 roentgens 0 to 200 milliroentgens Self-reading instruments measure exposure to radiation over a period of time, not dose rates at any given time. Hold the dosimeter up to a light source and 13-14 Student Notes: Figure 13-5.—General outline of contaminated areas on weather decks.

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