I've worked in the DOD world with Mil-spec paints for almost 30 years. The amount of dis-information on the contents and hazards associated with their application and removal still boggles my mind.
CARC (chemical agent resistant coatings) are polyurethane coatings that are modified with numerous pigments that are designed to absorb different spectrums of light making it more difficult to detect equipment that has been coated with it.
The chemical resistance is primarily resistance to DS-2 fluid that is used to decontaminate equipment exposed to nerve type agents.
CARC and the epoxy primers used under the CARC contained lead until the early 1990's. They presently contain chromates which are the REAL concern.
The only coating that I have analyzed over the years that contained asbestos was a walkway coating. The asbestos wasn’t supposed to be there, but was being used as a thickening agent. When a sample of the coating was examined using a scanning electron microscope, the coating showed a "snow flake" pattern that is indicative of asbestos. Independent testing resulted in the company being shut down by Uncle Sugar.
All polyurethane paints contain isocynates which cause respiratory problems. Once reacted, (fully cured) no longer present the danger.
Here are some very basic rules to follow:
- Keep children out of the area.
- Wear a respirator (supplied air) when applying or a good fitting dust mask when sanding any Mil-spec paints.
- Minimize the amount of dust created when sanding and dispose of the fines as hazardous waste.
- No eating, drinking or smoking when handling. Wash hands before eating or smoking.
- Wash contaminated clothing separate from other clothing.