b. Weather Conditions. Temperature, temperature gradient, wind speed,
and precipitation are the most important weather factors in determining
duration of effectiveness.
c. Methods of Dissemination.
The state of physical division greatly
influences the effectiveness of agents which are normally liquid or solid.
In explosive munitions, the degree of division is dependent upon the amount
and type of burster charge and upon the fuzing of the munition (air or
ground burst). Nonexploding types of munition, such as aerosol generators
and spray tanks, are devices for varying the degree of dispersion and thus
influencing the duration of effectiveness of chemical agents.
d. Conditions of Terrain or Target.
Vegetation, soil, and buildings
play an important part in the duration of effectiveness of a chemical agent
at the point of release.
PART C - CHEMICAL MUNITIONS MARKINGS
1.
The hazards of chemical munitions dictate that the user must be able
to correctly identify the munition prior to use.
There may also be
occurrences in which munitions are found and must be identified to determine
the existing hazard.
To further complicate this, all chemical munitions
manufactured prior to January 1961 follow the Five-Element Marking System
(Old), while all chemical munitions manufactured after January 1961 are
marked using the Standard Color Coding System (New) or the Revised Color
Coding System (1976).
It is of the utmost importance to understand each
system for the following reasons:
Current stockpiles of chemical and related munitions contain a
high percentage of munitions manufactured prior to January 1961,
as well as those manufactured since.
Personnel engaged in operations in former training and
range
areas may encounter munitions marked using each system.
2.
A working knowledge of each system is necessary to correctly identify
munitions and therefore determine the associated hazards. The Five-Element
Marking System (Old), prior to January 1961, the Standard Color Coding
System (New), after January 1961, and the Revised Color Coding System (1976)
are described in the following paragraphs.
a. Five-element Marking System (Old).
All chemical munitions
manufactured before January 1961 follow the Five-Element Marking System.
According to this system, all chemical munitions are marked with a gray
background. One band
1-9
CM3404
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