Review of submarine escape action levels for selected chemicals / Subcommittee on Submarine Escape Action Levels, Committee on Toxicology, Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology, Division on Earth and Life Studies, National Research Council.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

National Research Council (U.S.). Subcommittee on Submarine Escape Action Levels.

Series:

Compass series (Washington, D.C.)

The compass series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Submarine disasters.

Gases, Asphyxiating and poisonous--Toxicology.

Gases, Asphyxiating and poisonous.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (310 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Other Title:

Submarine escape action levels

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. : National Academy Press, 2002.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

On-board fires can occur on submarines after events such as collision or explosion. These fires expose crew members to toxic concentrations of combustion products such as ammonia, carbon monoxide, hydrogen chloride, and hydrogen sulfide. Exposure to these substances at high concentrations may cause toxic effects to the respiratory and central nervous system; leading possible to death. T protect crew members on disabled submarines, scientists at the U.S. Navy Health Research Center's Toxicology Detachment have proposed two exposure levels, called submarine escape action level (SEAL) 1 and SEAL 2, for each substance. SEAL 1 is the maximum concentration of a gas in a disabled submarine below which healthy submariners can be exposed for up to 10 days without encountering irreversible health effects while SEAL 2 the maximum concentration of a gas in below which healthy submariners can be exposed for up to 24 hours without experiencing irreversible health effects. SEAL 1 and SEAL 2 will not impair the functions of the respiratory system and central nervous system to the extent of impairing the ability of crew members in a disabled submarine to escape, be rescued, or perform specific tasks. Hoping to better protect the safety of submariners, the chief of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery requested that the National Research Council (NRC) review the available toxicologic and epidemiologic data on eight gases that are likely to be produced in a disabled submarine and to evaluate independently the scientific validity of the Navy's proposed SEALs for those gases. The NRC assigned the task to the Committee on Toxicology's (COT's) Subcommittee on Submarine Escape Action Levels. The specific task of the subcommittee was to review the toxicologic, epidemiologic, and related data on ammonia, carbon monoxide, chlorine, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide in order to validate the Navy's proposed SEALs. The subcommittee also considered the implications of exposures at hyperbaric conditions and potential interactions between the eight gases. Review of Submarine Escape Action Levels for Selected Chemicals presents the subcommittee's findings after evaluation human data from experimental, occupational, and epidemiologic studies; data from accident reports; and experimental-animal data. The evaluations focused primarily on high-concentration inhalation exposure studies. The subcommittee's recommended SEALs are based solely on scientific data relevant to health effects. The report includes the recommendations for each gas as determined by the subcommittee as well as the Navy's original instructions for these substances.

Contents:

REVIEW OF SUBMARINE ESCAPE ACTION LEVELS FOR SELECTED CHEMICALS

Copyright

OTHER REPORTS OF THE BOARD ON ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND TOXICOLOGY

OTHER REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEE ON TOXICOLOGY

Preface

Contents

Summary

STATEMENT OF TASK

THE SUBCOMMITTEE'S APPROACH TO ITS CHARGE

THE SUBCOMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDED SUBMARINE ESCAPE ACTION LEVELS

ADDITIONAL RESEARCH RECOMMENDATIONS

1 Introduction

DEFINITIONS OF SEALS

THE ON-BOARD POPULATION

THE SUBMARINE ATMOSPHERE

THE NAVY'S INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF TOXIC GASES

COMPARISONS BETWEEN SEALS AND EXISTING EXPOSURE GUIDANCE LEVELS

ORGANIZATION OF THE REPORT

REFERENCES

2 Ammonia

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

TOXICOKINETIC CONSIDERATIONS

Absorption

Distribution

Metabolism

Elimination

HUMAN TOXICITY DATA

Experimental Studies

Accidental Exposures

Occupational and Epidemiologic Studies

EXPERIMENTAL ANIMAL TOXICITY DATA

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Mechanism of Action

Biomarkers of Exposure

Susceptible Populations

Adaptation

NAVY'S RECOMMENDED SEALS

ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE NRC AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

SUBCOMMITTEE ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Submarine Escape Action Level 1

Submarine Escape Action Level 2

DATA GAPS AND RESEARCH NEEDS

3 Carbon Monoxide

Cardiovascular Effects

Central Nervous System Effects

Acute Exposure

Repeated Exposure

REFERENCES.

4 Chlorine

Metabolism and Disposition

Warfare Exposures

Occupational and Epidemiological Studies

Acute Exposures

MECHANISM OF ACTION

5 Hydrogen Chloride

Occupational Studies

6 Hydrogen Cyanide

Inhalation

Dermal

7 Hydrogen Sulfide

Metabolism.

Elimination

Epidemiologic Studies

Summary of Human Toxicity Data

Structure-Activity Data

8 Nitrogen Dioxide

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

9 Sulfur Dioxide

Occupational and Community Exposure Studies

10 Conclusions and Recommendations

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

0-309-18268-9

1-280-18393-4

9786610183937

0-309-56597-9

OCLC:

81403757