title: Nutrient, waste management, and hygiene systems for chemical protective suits.
abstract: Current United States military chemical protective ensembles do not provide for feeding, removing body wastes, or ensuring the hygiene of troops operating in a contaminated environment. As part of a nuclear-biological-chemical life support demonstration program, systems were developed to provide these capabilities. The nutrient system consisted of foods packaged in tube dispensers and a delivery system compatible with North Atlantic Treaty Organization respirators. The waste management/hygiene systems consisted of waste collection and hygiene items incorporated into a retractable-arm suit design with integrated airlock. A field demonstration of the systems resulted in successful use by armored vehicle personnel, high, positive user feedback, and only minor functional problems.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Army Natick Research Development & Engineering Center, Natick, MA 01760.
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Cardello
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Darsch
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Gleason
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Teixeira
mesh_terms: D002618:Chemical Warfare; D003672:Defecation; D004435:Eating; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D008021:Life Support Systems; D008889:Military Personnel; D011481:Protective Clothing; D014554:Urination