Hands of field test personnel became radioactively contaminated with (a) dust or slurry synthetic fallout containing La-140 tracer, and (b) La-140 in acid solution. Two protective creams and several cleaning materials were used in an attempt to reduce adherence of contaminant and to facilitate decontamination. The protective creams were not found to be advantageous. Three experimental cleaning solutions (isotonic neutral solution of a complexing agent plus a detergent and germicide; an isotonic saline solution at pH 2.0 plus detergent and germicide; and a 3% citric acid solution) were found to decontaminate skin more readily than soap and water. A waterless mechanic's hand cleaner was found to clean hands with the same effectiveness as soap and water.

This Annual Report of the Department of Defense (DoD) Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Defense Program, or CBRNDP, provides information in response to several reporting requirements. First, this report is provided in accordance with 50 USC 1523. (The complete reporting requirement is detailed at annex K.) This report is intended to assess: (1) the overall readiness of the Armed Forces to fight in a chemical-biological warfare environment and steps taken and planned to be taken to improve such readiness; and, (2) requirements for the chemical and biological warfare defense program, including requirements for training, detection, and protective equipment, for medical prophylaxis, and for treatment of casualties resulting from use of chemical and biological weapons. This report supplements the DoD Chemical and Biological Defense Program FY05 President's budget, February 2004, which has been submitted to Congress.