Assessment of Exposure-Response Functions for Rocket-Emission Toxicants

The U.S. Air Force is developing a model to assist commanders in determining when it is safe to launch rocket vehicles. The model estimates the possible number and types of adverse health effects for people who might be exposed to the ground cloud created by rocket exhaust during a normal launch or during an aborted launch that results in a rocket being destroyed near the ground. Assessment of Exposure-Response Functions for Rocket-Emmission Toxicants evaluates the model and the data used for three rocket emission toxicants: hydrogen chloride, nitrogen dioxide, and nitric acid. Table of Contents Front Matter Executive Summary Introduction Description of the Launch Area Toxic Risk Analysis (LATRA) Model Subpopulations Sensitive to Air Contamination Effect Severity Evaluation of the LATRA Exposure-Response Functions Exposure-Response Functions for Rocket-Emission Toxicants References Appendix A: Air Force Exposure Limits for Rocket Emissions Appendix B: Definitions of Current Exposure Guidance Levels Appendix C: American Thoracic Society's List of Adverse Respiratory Health Effects Appendix D: Acute Toxicity of Hydrogen Chloride Appendix E: Acute Toxicity of Nitrogen Dioxide Appendix F: Acute Toxicity of Nitric Acid