Assessment of CS (o-Chlorobenzylidene Malononitrile) Environmental Toxicity at Eglin AFB, Florida

Abstract : This report provides a hazard assessment and recommendations regarding the environmental toxicity of CS in soil resulting from use of CS in training exercises at Eglin. The hazard assessment was developed in two parts: 1) A simplified model of the degradation of CS deposited in soil was developed based on the monexponential equation. This allowed an estimated t1/2 of 3.9 days to be determined for CS in Eglin soil. 2) A comprehensive interpretive review of CS literature was performed with the goal of developing a coherent picture of CS environmental toxicity. Recommendations for use of CS at Eglin AFB were developed by integrating the information obtained from the literature review and the model of CS soil degradation. Recommendations were that CS could be used at Eglin and that the soil burden would depend on the deposition rate from training exercises. Management of CS use should include rotating exercises. Management of CS use should include rotating heavy-use CS training sites, to avoid buildup of CS at any single site and avoiding heavy use at sites which drain directly into areas where aquatic species may be exposed. A comprehensive CS bibliography is also included.