6.
Food Inspection.
You must inspect food or water that may be contaminated by nuclear fallout
or biological or chemical agents. The Army veterinary services has the sole
responsibility for monitoring and decontaminating food. If food and water
become contaminated, DO NOT allow soldiers to consume the food and water
unless they are decontaminated first. Contaminated personnel or equipment
can contaminate food and water, so these personnel and the equipment must be
inspected as well.
It is essential that each soldier know how to
detect NBC contamination, especially if he is involved in food service.
Methods of inspecting food, water, personnel, and material for signs of NBC
contamination are described in the following subparagraphs.
(1) Nuclear.
Use the AN/PDR-27 radiac set to monitor food, water,
personnel, and materiel for possible contamination by induced radiation or
fallout.
Figure 1-20 shows this instrument.
It is commonly known as a
Geiger counter.
To inspect food, personnel, or materiel for nuclear
contamination, follow the step-by-step directions in the operator's manual.
TM 11-6665-209-10 (Operator's Manual for Radiac Sets, AN/PDR-27J, AN/PDR-
27L, and AN/PDR-27Q) is the operator's manual for the AN/PDR-27J, L, and Q
radiac sets.
TM 11-6665-230-12 (Operator's and Organizational Maintenance
Manual for Radiac Set, AN/PDR-27R) is the operator's manual for the AN/PDR-
27R. The radiac set provides an audible signal when radiation is present.
You can detect the signal for low-level radiation only through the
earphones. Read the meter to determine the level of radioactivity. Food is
contaminated if it produces a reading that is greater than two times that of
the surrounding environment in an uncontaminated area. The AN/PDR-27 radiac
set is not sensitive enough to detect toxic levels of radioactivity in
water. Use water from an approved source.
(2) Biological.
Most Army units cannot detect the presence of
biological agents in food. The supporting medical unit is responsible for
inspecting food for biological agents. Inspect the food for obvious signs
of spoilage such as slime, discoloration, and odor.
Remember that
contaminated food may look, smell, and taste normal.
If you suspect that
food is contaminated by biological agents, request a veterinary inspection.
Use water from an approved source for preparing food and for drinking. If
no water from an approved source is available, disinfect the available water
before you use it.
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QM3511
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