Immediate decontamination

Abstract

The article is devoted to a vital issue for the Polish Armed Forces, namely to the containment and elimination of contaminations. The main factors which are likely to cause the direct or indirect release of hazardous substances and the emergence of contaminations in the territory of the Republic of Poland (RP) include military operations, disasters and technical failures in industrial facilities, as well as terror-ism. The containment and elimination of contamination is an element of the WMD defense system, in which the combat capability of the army’s troops, equipment and military technology is restored after a contamination. The most important element of the system is the immediate elimination of contamination, as it can affect the health, and often also the life, of the contaminated. The doctrinal document DD/3.8(A) contains the main principles for immediate containment, the main one being “as soon as possible”. It is important to be aware that the so-called insulating protective clothing does not provide adequate protection for the skin and uniforms. At the same time, it can be a source of secondary contamination. Technical equipment comprising individual packages will suffice, but the Polish Armed Forces should acquire one IPLS-type decontamination package with pharmacological agents and a new skin disinfectant. Such solutions are preferred in NATO armies.