Combined Exposures to Hydrogen Cyanide and Carbon Monoxide in Army Operations
In response to a request from the U.S. Army, a committee convened by the National Research Council (NRC) conducted the first in a sequence of studies evaluating the combined health effects of low-level exposure to two chemicals Army personnel are likely to be exposed to in firing tank weapons. The Army sought information on whether the two chemicals, hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide, result in similar health impacts and should be assessed together when establishing exposure limits. Based on a review of the scientific literature, the report finds that the biochemical health impacts of the chemicals are similar and that the Army's proposed approach to setting exposure limits is appropriate. Because previous research has focused on high exposures, this initial NRC report recommends that futher neurological studies at low concentrations of exposure to the chemicals be conducted.
Table of Contents- Front Matter
- Summary
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Mechanisms of Carbon Monoxide and Hydrogen Cyanide Toxicity
- 3 A Brief Review of Hydrogen Cyanide and Carbon Monoxide Toxicity
- 4 Summary of the Effects of Combined Exposure to Carbon Monoxide and Hydrogen Cyanide and Recommendation for Combined-Exposure Risk Assessment
- 5 Pharmacokinetics and Mathematical Modeling for Assessing Toxicity of Mixtures of Chemicals
- 6 Appropriateness of Measurement of Blood or Air Levels of Cyanide
- 7 Conclusions and Recommendations
- References
- Appendix: Biographical Information on the Committee on Combined Exposures to Hydrogen Cyanide and Carbon Monoxide in Army Operations