Developmental Medical Research on Liquid Gun Propellants

Abstract : A research program is described that addresses exposure and health effects potential for a future liquid propellant artillery system. The principal focus of the study is the prediction of health effects based upon hypothetical weapons system combat and training scenarios. Accidental spills of the liquid propellant are expected to be the principal mode of exposure. The swine dermal model is the principal assay used for identifying health effects arising from accidental spill situations. The study was initiated by the development of procedures for collection of data on humans accidentally exposed during the weapons system research and development phase. This information, as well as information from completed toxicology studies, was shared with industry and government participants for worker protection and for the development of a medical surveillance plan. System description scenarios were developed at an early stage in order to integrate human exposure data and animal toxicology studies into assessments of potential risks. Subsequent updates to these scenarios often led to changes in the toxicology studies in an iterative fashion