Toxicologic Assessment of the Army's Zinc Cadmium Sulfide Dispersion Tests.Answers to Commonly Asked Questions

摘要

During the Cold War, the United States devoted great attention to the possibilitythat an enemy power might attack with biological weapons. To prepare against such an attack, the U.S. Army sponsored a variety of tests during the 1950s and 1960s to understand how biologic weapons disperse in various environments. As part of the tests, the Army released particles of zinc cadmium sulfide from airplanes, rooftops, and moving vehicles in 33 locations, mostly cities and towns, in the U.S. and Canada. At the time of the tests, zinc cadmium sulfide was thought to be nontoxic to humans, animals, and plants. On the basis of a thorough review of the open scentific literature, other technical reports, the statements and materials presented at the public meetings, and the expertise of its members, the subcommittee offers responses to the questions most commonly asked by the public.