TB 43-0213
Table 1-5. Airborne Concentration Threshold Limits
the specific work area as much as possible (see
for Rustproofing Material per
Work Week.
1-16. CARC Paints/Rustproofing Policy.
a. Paints now in use within the U.S. Army are called
Chemical Agent Resistant Coatings (CARC). This is an
aliphatic polyurethane organic film, a paint that cures to
form a film so hard that it cannot be contaminated by
chemical agents. The Army's tactical purpose for using
CARC paints is to allow for a quick wash-off of
contaminants in the event of an NBC attack.
b. There isn't a paint manufactured today, CARC
included, that cannot be permeated or penetrated by
water, This water will eventually cause the paint and its
1-15. Safety Precautions.
primer to crack, thereby exposing the under surface,
bare metal, to still greater amounts of moisture. Water
on a bare metal surface is the primary cause of
a. Prevention. Prevention of toxic hazard related
corrosion. Rusting beneath the paint will result.
injuries depends upon good equipment maintenance.
Understanding the nature of hazards and applying
c. CARC paints are hard enough to forestall rust
common sense safety precautions is also important.
and to slow down its progress so that it can be repaired
before any significant damage is done. However, CARC
b. Control of Hazards. The potential hazards of
paints alone are not sufficient to stop corrosion on,
exposure to rustproofing compounds can be controlled
beneath, or inside vehicles. If the service life of these
in two ways: through proper medical/sanitation controls
vehicles is to be extended, greater protection in the
and through use of adequate facilities.
form of rustproofing material must be provided,
especially on the vehicle's undersides and its closed-in
c. Medical/Sanitation Controls. Units with active
areas.
rust prevention/rustproofing programs should imple-
ment a medical/sanitation control program through
d. Rustproofing materials in use today are not
education of personnel, mandatory use of proper
chemical agent resistant. T h i s means that the
protection devices, and by an emphasis on personal
rustproofing material itself will become contaminated in
hygiene.
the event the vehicle is exposed to an NBC attack. The
use of CARC paints in rustproofed areas of a vehicle is
(1) Education. All users within units should be
incompatible with rustproofing policies. Given the
fully informed of the potential harmful nature of
current technology, this incompatibility cannot be
rustproofing material. Good common sense must be
avoided. The Army is in need of vehicles that will resist
used in the handling and the application of rustproofing
chemical agents, and fleets that will last through the
material.
years. To meet these needs, units must respond to both
requirements and be prepared to wash off the
(2) Equipment Use/Safety Practices. Masks
contaminated rustproofing material with high pressure
should only be relied upon when it is impossible to
washers. The rustproofing material, of course, must be
ensure adequate ventilation. Reliance on masks alone is
reapplied as soon as the situation permits. The
only permissible when the exposure is short (only a few
exceptional circumstances of an NBC attack fully justify
minutes) and infrequent (no more than 1020 times
this approach as a working plan until such time as
daily). Eye protection is mandatory during all cleaning,
CARC-compatible rustproofing materials are developed
drilling, and rustproofing operations.
and can be made available to units. Such materials are
currently being researched by technicians.
(3) Personal Hygiene. Proper washing facilities,
including hot water and mild cleaners, should be readily
e. One final matter regarding CARC paints and
available to the rustproofer, Clean work clothes should
rustproofing policy is the difference between the
be worn daily and insisted upon by supervisors for the
Army's approach toward corrosion prevention and the
safety of the rustproofer.
approach taken by commercial firms. The maintenance
approach used by the Army is as follows:
d. Facilities. Units with rust prevention/rustproof-
ing programs should provide adequate facilities which
(1) The vehicle, or area of the vehicle to be
include adequate ventilation of the work area (intake
rustproofed, must first be cleaned of all rust, dirt, oils,
and exhaust) as well as enclosures to confine spray to
and chemical films.
1-7
