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 Terrorism Chemical, Biological and Radiological Warfare |
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Environmental Site Investigation in Croatia and the Conception of the Environmental and Industrial Health Hazard Risk Framework for Deployed Canadian Forces
Authors: Chris Knowlton; Francois Lauzon; DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENCE OTTAWA (ONTARIO) |
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Abstract:
The modern battlespace encompasses many hazards to life and health. In addition to the obvious risks from the action of belligerents and naturally occurring hazards such as those caused by climate and endemic disease, current patterns of deployment carry the additional risk of potentially harmful exposure to chemical, biological and radiological hazards within the man-made environment. Acute or chronic exposure to these hazards may result in adverse health effects to military personnel and could have an impact on Canadian Forces operational capability. "Eco-terrorism" or the intentional dispersing of chemical, biological or radiological material can further increase these risk to exposure and represent a definite area of concern that must be predicted and properly evaluated in a timely manner. Canadian Forces personnel serving with the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR - OP Harmony) in Croatia initially raised the possibility that troops had been exposed to contaminants in 1993-1994. The concerns at the time focused on the potential exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and bauxite - used to fill sandbags for defensive works. Unfortunately, these concerns were never confirmed or fully investigated with proper closure, as they were not well understood by the operational planners at that time. Subsequently, the need to characterize environmental hazards was emphasized in 1998 when allegations were made that unexplainable illnesses being reported by Canadian Forces Personnel were as a result of being unknowingly exposed to environmental contaminants while in Croatia. These allegations prompted a review of all available documentation dating back from 1993. it was at this point that it became clear that no scientifically defendable information could be found. As a result, an environmental investigation team was sent to Croatia in July 1999 in an effort to determine the presence of environmental contaminants while in Croatia.
| Pages: |
6 |
| Report Date: |
SEP 2001 |
| Report Number: |
P173310 |
Report Unavailable |
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