Evaluation of warning and protective action implementation times for chemical weapons accidents. [None]

Technical Report · Fri Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:5121308

Sorensen, J H

This is a preliminary evaluation of warning systems and protective action options for off-site emergency planning for chemical weapons accidents. The analysis concentrates on the timing of warning and protective action implementation which is defined as the length of time it will take to protect off-site populations given different warning systems and protective action configurations. The evaluation concludes: (1) A specialized warning system using tone alert radios, automatic telephone dialing systems, sirens, or some combination thereof is desirable within 10 km of the fixed sites. (2) A rapid means of respiratory protection and expedient protective sheltering are the protective actions that could be most rapidly implemented within 10 km of a fixed-site release point. (3) Populations at distances greater than 10 km should have time to evacuate without the installation of specialized warning systems except in institutional facilities such as schools and nursing homes. (4) The detection and warning decision times are critical elements in determining the feasibility of population protection. A 5-to-15-minute organizational response is needed to provide warning to potentially threatened populations. Even an expedient organizational response, however, will not provide 100% assurance that everyone will have time to learn of the accident and take action. 9 refs., 4 tabs.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 5121308
• Report Number(s): ORNL/TM-10437; ON: DE88009001
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
450100* -- Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense-- Chemical Explosions & Explosives
ACCIDENTS
AIRCRAFT
CHEMICAL WARFARE
CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENTS
CLOTHING
COMMUNICATIONS
DRUGS
EMERGENCY PLANS
EVACUATION
EVALUATION
INFORMATION DISSEMINATION
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
SHELTERS
TELEPHONES
TELEVISION
WARFARE
WEAPONS