Original Date: 08/08/1994
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

CSTA has improved its ability to measure levels of toxic fumes and gases in the confined spaces of vehicles during a testing. Before 1983, the only dedicated real-time analyzers available were for carbon monoxide, NH3, and nitrogen dioxide. Samples of other species were collected with vacuum cylinders for laboratory analysis with a gas chromatograph. Since 1983, however, significant improvements have been made in the equipment capabilities.

CSTA performs toxic fume and gas measurements on live fire (vulnerability), automotive, weapons, and fire extinguishing systems in an effort to protect soldiers from the effects of toxic fumes and gases. Fumes can originate from the firing of the gun on a tank, the exhaust from the engine on the tank being ingested into the ventilation system, or from the tank being hit by a round of ammunition. CSTA monitors and analyzes the air in the inhabited sections of the vehicle during test operations to detect any toxic gases produced. Real time analysis is performed for CO, CO₂, NH₃, SO₂, NO₂, NO, Halons, and O₂ depletion. Collection for laboratory analysis is performed for total particulates, respirable particulates, HF, HCl, HBr, and HCN acid mists, fuel and oil mists, aldehydes, ketones, organic compounds, and Pb, Cu, and other metal fumes.

Toxic fumes measurement requires several different pieces of equipment including: