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TECHNICAL REPORT NO. 74-43
IMPROVED PACKAGING OF WATER PURIFICATION TABLET
by
Joseph L. Carney
Environment and Survival Branch
April 1974
Final Report
BERDEI
APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE; DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED
COUNTED IN
U. S. ARMY LAND WARFARE LABORATORY
Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21005
I
20081017 384
I
The findings in this report are not to be construed as an official Department
of the Army position unless so designated by other authorized documents.
The contents of this report are not to be used for advertising, publication,
or promotional purposes. Citation of trade names does not constitute an
official endorsement or approval of the use of such commercial products.
DISPOSITION INSTRUCTIONS
Destroy this report when no longer needed. Do not return it to the
originator.
ii
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
U S ARMY NATICK LABORATORIES
NATICK, MASSACHUSETTS 01760
in reply «*crrn to
/'•
•y
STSML-YPB
15 October 107 '*•
SUBJECT:
Improved Packaging of Iodine Water Purification
Tablet,, LWL Technical Report T'o.*7k-L3
TO: Distribution List of LWL Technical Report T'o. 7^-^3
1. U.S. Army Land Warfare laboratory Technical Report T'o. Tli -LS ,
subject as above, was recently distributed to your Command or
Organisation.
2. Since this Laboratory' has the responsibility for Sped
MIL-W-283 ( ater Purification Tablet, Iodine ) and any rose
related to this item, the inclosed comment' are forwarded
your information and completeness of records.
fi ca
area
for
Inc.
As Stated
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director
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L. Spano
TECHNICAL LIBPJ3T2
BLDG. 305
ABERDEEN PROVING GROUSB^ VEa
ETEA£rTI<
STSNL-YPB
15 October 197Jt
MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD
SUBJECT: Improved Packaging for Iodine Water Purification Tablet
1. Reference is made to LWL Task No. O5-S-69, Final Technical Report
7U-U3, Subject: Improved Packaging of Water Purification Tablet, by
J. L. Carney, April i97^.
2. Tli is report referenced in' paragraph one above ie a culmination cf
efforts by LWL to show that the Aclar blister package is equal tc the
glass bottle as a packaging material for the iodine water purification
tablet. However, for the sake of completeness, certain additional in¬
formation not contained in this report should be emphasized.
a. The tablets used in the \clar package vere carefully selected
and culled by the contractor prior to packaging. Similarly, tablets
in the Aclar packages vere selectively chosen before and after environ¬
mental storage test exposure so that only the best tablets vere used
in the titration and solubility tests. This vur. done intentionally
in order to avoid any tablet deterioration that may have been caused
because of inadequate heat seals in the Aclar package. In contrast,
no preferred selection of tablets prior to bottling or after the
environmental testing vas allowed for the bottle. The bottle had
to stand the test as it came from the normal procurement production'
line, and would therefore contain some inferior tablets. Thus, for
the purposes of these tests, ,the Aclar package vas given a are f erred
advantage at time zero as to the quality of tablet that vas packaged.
Even with this advantage, the Aclar package did not provide any signi¬
ficant difference in iodine tablet potency over the bottled tablets.
b. Cost estimates for the mass production of Aclar package vere
conservatively estimated at $0.18 per package (2k tablets) by the
contractor in 1970 cf which $0.06 would represent the cost of the
iodine tablet. The 1970 cost per bottle of 50 tablets from Van
Brode Milling Co. was $0.12 and included labor, shipping costs, etc.
STSNL-YPB
MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD
15 October l^jh
ne^GSSlty of havinC to scale the equipment up from a oilot
Mtielratcd InCa^[-lalt°r^UCtl°n’ "°ny COStly f»««> could bo
scarolS ,°° r0cent sharP riEe « the cost and
( Pintle polymers, and dependence on a sinple material
estirnated cost/unit would make the delivery orice
prohibitive. The final cost of the oackage would be 2'nwo +u
Sr <*«*■ ') — protean To^LZrr^t
Morris R. Rogo*<s AMIC fat ^
Research Microbiologist - -
Biotechnology Group
Pollution Abatement Division
Food Sciences Laboratory
UNCLASSIFIED
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF THIS PAGE (Whu Dm EnCr.dJ
REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE
READ INSTRUCTIONS
BEFORE COMPLETING FORM
1. REPORT NUMBER
TECHNICAL REPORT NO. 74-43
2. GOVT ACCESSION NO.
3. RECIPIENT’S CATALOG NUMBER
4. TITLE (mnd Subtitle)
IMPROVED PACKAGING OF WATER PURIFICATION
TABLET
S. TYPE OF REPORT & PERIOD COVERED
Final Report
6. PERFORMING ORG. REPORT NUMBER
7. author^;
Joseph L. Carney
Environment and Survival Branch
8. CONTRACT OR GRANT NUMBERf®)
9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
US Army Land Warfare Laboratory
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005
10. PROGRAM ELEMENT, PROJECT, TASK
AREA & WORK UNIT NUMBERS
LWL Task No. 05-S-69
It. CONTROLLING OFFICE NAME AND ADDRESS
12. REPORT DATE
April 1974
13. number of pages
14
14. MONITORING AGENCY NAME & ADDRESS^// different from Controlling Office)
15. SECURITY CLASS, (of this report)
Unclassified
15a. DECLASSIFICATION/ DOWNGRADING
SCHEDULE
16. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT (of thia Report)
Approved for public release; distribution unlimited
17. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT (of the abetract entered In Block 20, It different from Report)
TECHNICAL T IF •
U <i 1 J
ilUEhdeen i'l'- v". ( :
10. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES r*
19. KEY WORDS (Continue on reverse aide if necessary and Identify by block number)
Iodine Tablets
Water Purification
Canteen Water
Field Water
20. ABSTRACT (Continue on reverse side If necessary and Identify by block number)
The new method of packaging the iodine tablets consists of sealing the
individual tablets in a blister sheet and packaging two blister sheets in
an overwrapper packet. The blister sheet measures 1 3/4" x 2 1/8” and
contains 12 transparent blister units surrounded by a steel gray color
match for comparison with the color of the iodine tablets. The new simpli¬
fied directions for use are printed on the back of each blister sheet and
on the exterior surface of the overwrapper packet.
^ — iihmb
DD , JAN 73 1473 edition OF 1 NOV 65 is OBSOLETE UNCLASSIFIED
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF THIS PAGE (When Data Entered )
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE (DD FORM 1473) iii
INTRODUCTION 3
DISCUSSION 4
Initial Evaluation Quantity Contract 4
Environmental Testing of Initial Evaluation Quantity 5
Second Evaluation Quantity Contract 7
Environmental Testing of Second Evaluation Quantity 8
Field Evaluation 8
CONCLUSIONS 9
REFERENCES 10
APPENDICES
A. Partial Analysis of 139 Ranger Questionnaires A- 1
from Fort Benning, GA
B. Review of 57 Responses from the Special Forces B- 1
Group at Fort Devens, MA
C. Comments on 20 Questionnaires from Special Forces C-l
Personnel at Fort Gulick, Canal Zone
DISTRIBUTION LIST 11
INTRODUCTION
For many years iodine tablets which are used by the military for water
purification have been packaged in glass bottles of 50 tablets. This method
of packaging has serious deficiencies since the iodine tablet is unstable
when exposed to air and is ultrasensitive to moisture. Deterioration sets
in as soon as a bottle is opened and corrosion of the metal cap which often
takes place during storage means that in many cases the tablets have already
deteriorated prior to the initial opening of a bottle. The tablets must be
used according to directions and the paper label containing the directions
is easily removed or destroyed. Furthermore the present packaging does
not provide any means to identify the color change from steel gray to white
or brown which is the visible indication of deterioration.
The need for an improved method of packaging iodine water purification tablets
has been recognized for many years. In 1963 a study report by Radiation
Technology, Inc., discussed many of the problems relating to the manufacture
and supply of the tablets (Ref. 1). The urgency of the requirement was high¬
lighted during the combat in Vietnam as discussed in two reports in 1967
(Refs. 2 & 3). The report by the Army Concept Team in Vietnam (ACTIV) (Ref.
3) noted that of 78 soldiers interviewed, only 40 soldiers knew that the
color of an undeteriorated purification tablet should be gray. The inter¬
views established that many soldiers could be using ineffective tablets,
unaware that the water they were drinking had not, in fact, been purified.
A 1968 study report conducted by the Naval Medical Field Research Laboratory,
Camp Lejeune, NC (Ref 4), recommended that iodine tablets be packaged in a
manner which would provide long time protection of the tablet, means for
easily dispensing the tablet and improved means of inspecting tablets in
storage.
3
DISCUSSION
Recognizing the problem, the US Army Natick Laboratories (NLABS) Natick, MA
initiated development to find a better method of packaging the iodine water
purification tablets. The task included screening seven types of thin film
packaging methods to determine the best material with which to package in¬
dividual tablets. The iodine water purification tablet (FSN 6850-985-7166)
contains the following ingredients: 19.3 - 21.3 mg. tetraglycine hydro-
periodide, 82-5 - 92.3 mg. anhydrous sodium acid phosphate and 6.0 mg. talc.
The tetraglycine hydroperiodide is very unstable when exposed to air, rapidly
passing from the solid state to iodine vapor which is highly corrosive. In
addition, the iodine compound is ultrasensitive to moisture and very rapidly
deteriorates in the presence of even a very small amount of moisture. These
characteristics made it very difficult to find a suitable packaging material.
From the survey, only one material, Aclar, a f luorohalocarbon film manufac¬
tured by the Allied Chemical Company, Morristown, NJ was found to be accep¬
table. The other six materials were either attacked by free iodine or
permeable to iodine and water vapor. ^
The NLABS study was conducted to investigate various versions of strip
packaging and blister packaging but none was considered acceptable enough
to warrant manufacturing of a field quantity. In this study no attempt was
made to provide a steel gray color match.
Following this material study, and as a result of funding and program
priority problems which prevented further work by NLABS, the US Army Land
Warfare Laboratory (LWL) initiated a task to continue the effort to improve
the tablet packaging.
Initial Evaluation Quantity Contract
A contract, DAAD05-70-C-0089 , was awarded to the Columbia Research Corporation,
Gaithersburg, MD in October 1969 for development and production of a quantity
of improved packaging of the water purification tablets.
Based on the NLABS information three commercially available Aclar films,
22A, 22C and 33C, in varying thicknesses were considered as candidate
materials for the new packaging. Laminates of Aclar/polye thy lene/poly-
vinylchloride and of Aclar /polye thylene/aluminum foil were also included
in the initial screening for the best tablet packaging material. The
blister sheet type of packaging was determined the most appropriate and
a twelve tablet per blister sheet quantity was established. The final
blister sheet assembly was constructed of two sheets of 22A Aclar of 5 mil
thickness and was 2-1/8" x 1-3/4" in size. The tablets were sealed between
the Aclar sheets by a grid work heat seal method. A 2 mil thick, pressure
sensitive adhesive backed, steel grey acetate label applied to the back of
the blister sheet provides the desired color match background for the tablets.
^■Personal communication, Sep 68 with Dr. Kwak H. Hu, Natick Laboratories
Project Officer for the study. There was no published report of the study.
4
The assembly is shown at the top of Figure 1. Tear point cut-outs were
provided to facilitate the tearing open of the Aclar sheets to remove each
tablet.
Although Aclar is an excellent iodine vapor barrier, it does not provide
the individually sealed iodine tablets adequate protection against water
vapor intrusion during long term storage. It was decided to overwrap two
blister sheets with a heat sealed laminate film of 0.5 mil Mylar/0.35 mil
aluminum foil/ 3 mil C79 polyolefin; a product of Continental Can Corporation,
Baltimore, MD (Ref. 5). in addition to providing the needed protection against
water vapor intrusion the overwrap provides protection against damage to the
blister sheets. The directions for use of the tablet and manufacturing data
were presented on the overwrap. See lower right side of Figure 1 for the
overwrap with two blister sheets partially removed. For comparison the
standard wax sealed bottle of 50 iodine tablets is shown on the left side
of the figure.
The iodine water purification tablets used in this development program
were manufactured by Van Brodie Milling Co., Inc., Clinton, MA in accord¬
ance with Military Specification MIL-W-283F, Water Purification Tablet,
Iodine .
Environment Testing of Initial Evaluation Quantity
NLABS conducted rough handling and accelerated laboratory environmental
storage tests of the new package. Additional environmental testing was
scheduled to be conducted at Edgewood Arsenal, Edgewood , MD but was can¬
celled because of a breakdown in the environmental chambers. The rough
handling tests were conducted in accordance with the following schedule:
PHASE
I:
a.
Condition case at 72°F, 50% R.H. , for 24 hours
b.
Drop test from 21 inches using 1 cycle of ASTM
Standard 775, Note 4.
c.
Vibrate case at 268 rpm, 1G, for 1 1/2 hours.
PHASE
II:
a.
Condition case at -20eF for 24 hours
b.
Drop test from 21 inches using 1 cycle of ASTM
Standard 775, Note 4.
c.
Vibrate case at 268 rpm, 1G, for 1 1/2 hours
Table I outlines the sampling periods, storage conditions and the number of
samples agreed upon for the study. Of the 240 samples withdrawn for eval¬
uation, 80 were retained for package evaluation, while 160 were tested for
solubility and titratable iodine test using the procedures described in
Military Specification MIL-W-283F. The standard bottle of 50 tablets was
subjected to the same storage study for comparison.
5
Figure 1. Standard Bottle and New Package
6
TABLE I. IODINE TABLET STORAGE STUDY
30 days 60 days 90 days 120 days
Storage Conditions_ A B_ A B_ A BAB
Initial (240 for A & B)
140°F
10% r.h. (static)
240
240
240
240
240
240
240
240
(rough handle )
240
240
240
240
►“*
o
o
o
►n
95% r.h. (static)
240
240
240
240
240
240
240
240
(rough handle )
240
240
240
240
72°F
50% r.h. (static)
240
240
240
240
240
240
240
240
(rough handle )
240
240
240
240
-65°F
(static)
240
240
240
240
240
240
240
240
(rough handle )
240
240
240
240
A - Overwrapped Packet (two blister sheets/packet)
B - No Protective Overwrap (two blister sheets/unit)
The storage study was terminated by NLABS after the packets were exposed for
three months to the various environmental storage conditions because the
solubility and the iodine content of the water purification tablets were
adversely affected by exposure to high temperature and/or relative humiditv
(see Reference 6).
Because the data presented in Reference 6 seemed contradictory in many in¬
stances, the raw data of the storage study was subjected to a thorough
statistical analysis. Although some of the data was statistically unexplain¬
able, it was concluded that the unfavorable results of the storage tests
were caused by two principal factors, namely unsatisfactory iodine tablets
prior to packaging and lack of controlled packaging conditions which resulted
in moisture being trapped in the cellulose acetate color match film affixed
to the back of each blister sheet.
Second Evaluation Quantity Contract
Based on the failure analysis of the first quantity of packaged tablets
produced and tested, a fixed price contract with proper changes was awarded
to Columbia Research Corporation in August 1971 (Reference 7). This contract,
DAAD05-72-C-0028, required changes in the pressure and dwell time of the heat
sealing cycle, a wider heat seal in the grid, sealing tray improvements and
stringent moisture control of components and the assembly atmosphere. In
addition a careful selection and culling of the available tablets was made
:wc 1*:: T • T, IT" • . ■
.u'Ek’
7
in an attempt to prevent random tablet failure confusing the subsequent test
data .
Environmental Testing of Second Evaluation Quantity
The packets of iodine tablets produced in the second evaluation quantity
contract were subjected to accelerated laboratory environmental tests in a
similar manner as were the packets of the initial evaluation quantity. Data
over a six month storage test period was tabulated (see Reference 8). Anal¬
ysis of the raw data of this storage study by USALWL Research Analysis Office
showed that there was no significant difference in the iodine tablet potency
whether stored in bottles or blister sheets in overwrapped packets.
Field Evaluation
On 19 July 1973 a meeting was held between representatives of Office of The
Surgeon General, NLABS and LWL and it was agreed that the environmental
storage test results showed that there was no significant difference between
the standard bottle packaging system and the LWL blister sheet in overwrapped
packet packaging system. It was also agreed that LWL should proceed with
field evaluations.
A partial analysis of 139 questionnaires completed by one class of Ranger
Students is enclosed as Appendix A. A review of 57 responses from the
Special Forces Group at Fort Devens , MA , is enclosed as Appendix B. A
letter of comments representing the general consensus of 15 of the 20
Special Forces personnel at Fort Gulick, Canal Zone, is enclosed as Appendix C.
8
CONCLUSIONS
1. There is no significant difference in iodine tablet potency whether
stored in bottles or blister sheets in overwrapped packets. Based upon tablet
discoloration, the evaluation results were almost identical. One-third of the
reports noted discoloration in each case.
2. Evaluation under field conditions showed that the bottle was pre¬
ferred over the packets. The troops stated that it was more difficult to
extract tablets from the blister sheet and that the tablets were easily
crushed or broken.
9
REFERENCES
1# "Production Study, Water Purification Tablets, Iodine," Radiation
Technology, Inc., Washington, DC, Contract DA-33-031-AMC-106(T) , 2 December
1963.
2. Weidenkopf, Stanley J. , 'Military Water Supply Problems in Vietnam,"
Mil. Med., 132:443-448, June 1967.
3. "Water Supply in the Republic of Vietnam," ACTIV (ACL-22F) ,
6 December 1967.
4. Hurst, Ned S. and Bird, James, S., "The Effect of Selected Soft Drink
Mixes on the Germicidal Properties of Iodine Tablets," Naval Medical Field
Research Laboratory, Camp Lejeune, NC, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Navy
Department, MF 12.524.007-8007.1, Vol. XVIII, No. 14, August 1968.
5. Brown, Denny F. and Derick, Charles T. , "A Blister Sheet and Pouch
Overwrapper Package for the Iodine Water Purification Table t ," Final Report,
Contract No. DAAD03-70-C-0089 , AD #733921, Columbia Research Corp.,
Gaithersburg, MD 20760, October 1961.
6. US Army Natick Laboratories, AMXRE-PRIM Laboratory Report 70-F-8,
Subject: Titratable Iodine and Solubility Analyses of the Iodine Water
Purification Tablet (MIL-W-283) Packaged in an Experimental Aclar 22A Blister
Sheet and Pouch Overwrapper as furnished by USALWL Under Contract No.
DAAD03-70-C-0089 with Columbia Research Corporation, Gaithersburg, Maryland,
4 March 1971.
7. Derick, Charles T. and Brown, Denny F., Development of an Improved
Blister Sheet and Pouched Overwrapper Package for Iodine Water Purification
Tablets," Final Report, Contract No. DAAD05-72-C-0028 ,
Columbia Research Corp., Gaithersburg, MD 20760 (Tech. Report No. LWL-CR-
05-S-69).
8. US Army Natick Laboratories, AMXRE-PRLM Final Laboratory Report
72-F-ll, Subject: Titratable Iodine and Solubility Analysis of an Improved
Aclar Blister Packed Iodine Water Purification Tablet 2 March 1973,
(USALWL Task No. 05-S-69).
10
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY MAJ Spies/ jp/5-6768
RANGER DEPARTMENT
75TH INFANTRY (RANGER)
UNITED STATES ARMY INFANTRY SCHOOL
Fort Benning, Georgia 31905
ATSH-R-0
31 January 1974
SUBJECT: Packaging of Iodine Water Purification Tablet
TO: Commander
US Army Land Warfare Laboratory
ATTN: AMXLW-DES/Mr. Carney
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005
1. Per informal agreement of Ranger Department, USAIS, with Mr. Carney,
your office, the durability test of the blister package for iodine tablets
is completed.
2. Only one class of Ranger students participated in this test. A
questionnaire from each student who graduated (136) is being forwarded
along with quantities of used bottles and blister sheets to your office
under separate cover .
3. Ranger students, when cold and wet, experienced difficulty opening
the blister sheet. They generally preferred the bottle over the blister
sheet. It was suggested that the current bottle top be painted grey (to
match a usable tablet) instead of black.
FOR THE DIRECTOR:
FRANK H. SCOTT
LTC, Infantry
Deputy Director
A- 2
APPENDIX A
PARTIAL ANALYSIS OF 139 RANGER QUESTIONNAIRES
FROM FORT BENNING , GA
AMXLW-RAO
2S February 1974
MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD
SUBJECT: Review of Questionnaires Received from Ranger Evaluation of Iodine
Tablet Blister Pack
1. As requested by Mr. J. Carney, Project Officer on LW L Task No. 05-S-69, the
data from 139 Ranger -completed questionnaires have been examined and a partial
analysis of the data has been accomplished.
2. It is quite apparent from the questionnaire data that the blister pack with
overwrap is much more difficult to handle (while extracting tablets) than the
bottle. The handling problem is undoubtedly the major factor in the 71% overall
preference for the bottle over the blister pack. It should be recognized, however,
that this field evaluation was probably conducted in an environment where iodine
tablets were not always required (There was one comment to that effect.). Other
questions were also raised as to the validity of this evaluation, but this docs
not mean that the overall results should be discounted; rather, it does mean that
any additional evaluation underway should be continued and any decision to con¬
tinue or discontinue the LWL task should be based upon additional evaluations ,
together with the Ranger evaluation.
3. One of the important findings is that there are two "mechanical" problems with
the LWL blister package. There were 22 final comments that tablets within the
blister packs were crushed or broken. This condition occurred as a result of both
opening the blister pack (due to hand pressure) and storage on the person. For
example, it was noted that tablets in blister packs should not be carried in back
pockets because they would be crushed when one sat down. Hence, it appears that
the bottle provides superior physical protection for the tablets over the blister
pack both during tablet extraction and transport.
4. One third of the questionnaires which gave tablet condition information noted
one or more discolored tablets from the LWL packages. The equivalent information
on the bottle is not as reliable because the question was difficult to interpret
on this point, but the percentage of questionnaires noting discolored tablets
from the bottles was almost identical, i.e., 32%. However, there were eight dif¬
ferent questionnaires (6% of total) in which it was reported that whole bottles
of tablets went bad.
5. It appears that the only unanswered question which bears on the disposition
of this task (05-S-69) is: "Are bottles a significantly inferior storage con¬
tainer compared with the LWL package in operational usage?" That is, is the
health protection factor down when tablets from a previously opened bottle are
used? This question can be partially answered in terms of tablet appearance- -and
AMXLW-RAO
25 February 1974
SUBJECT: Review of tyjcstionnaires Received from Ranger Evaluation of Iodine
Tablet Blister Pack
could be partially resolved in favor of the bottle--with a color match indicator
for the bottle as discussed previously by Natick personnel and as noted by comments
m the questionnaires from the Ranger exercise. In fact, the safety aspects of
the bottle might be completely resolved by increasing the basic load of bottles
and directing the individual soldier to open a new bottle whenever there is reason
to doubt the quality of tablets in a previously opened bottle. However, the eco-
nomics and logistics, of such a direction could possibly rule unfairly in favor of
the blister package.
6. In summary, the results of the Ranger field evaluation tend to negate, by new
findings, the operational superiority of the LWL blister package over the bottle
for iodine tablet storage which had been previously acceded to by Natick personnel.
Research Analysis Office
CF:
CO/TD
C, MOD
A/C, I)ED
C^ks
in. Carney
APPENDIX B
REVIEW OF 57 RESPONSES FROM THE SPECIAL FORCES GROUP
AT FORT DEVENS, MA
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Company A, 3rd Battalion
10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) , 1st Special Forces
Fort De-rens, Massachusetts 01433
SF33-AC 25 February 1974
SUBJECT: Summary Report of Water Purification Blister Sheet Packets
CDR, U.S. Army Sand Warfare Laboratory
ATTN : AMXLW-DES/ Mr. J.L. Carney
Aberdeen Proving Ground MD 21005
1. Section 1 and II of the Command and User Questionnaire were comnleted
on the same day for control.
2. to unopened bottles or blister sheet packets were retained.
3. Concensus of opinion was in favor of the bottled water ourif'ication
packets over the blister sheet packets. (39 for bottle, 18 for packets)
4. The bottle system is definitely easier to use in cold weather and can
be used wearing gloves. The bottle is easier to keep with the canteen
by taping to the cap strap of the canteen or in the pouch included on the
later model canteen covers. The blister sheet packet has the two advantages
of a color comparison capability and individual compartmentalization. The
color comparison capability could be applied to the bottle by coloring the
inside of the cap for comparison. The individual compartmentalization
advantage would seem to be marginal considering the disadvantages of bulkier
and more fragile packing for the blister sheet.
CHARLES W. KARWAN
CPT, Infantry
S3 Officer
B-2
AMXDV-RAO
8 March 1971
MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD
SUBJECT: Review of Second Set of Operational Test Results on Iodine Tablet Pack¬
aging
1. Reference. RAO } IFR , AMXLW-RAO, 25 Feb 74, subject: Review of Questionnaires
Received from Ranger Evaluation of Iodine Tablet Blister Pack.
2. A second set cf completed questionnaires was received on the operational eval¬
uation of the packaping of the iodine tablet (E§S Task 05-S-69). This set of
responses came from the Special Forces Group at Fort Devens, MA. Although there
were some basic differences between the results of the two tests, two of the key
indicators were nearly identical; viz., the preference to carry blister packs was
3b* in the SF test compared with 37* in the first evaluation by the Rangers (refer¬
enced MFR), and the overall preference for the blister pack was 31% for the SF
test compared with 29% for the Ringer evaluation.
3. rhe cross -section of personnel on the SF test was completely different from the
Ranger evaluation, where the personnel evaluating the packaging were all recent
West Point graduates. In the Fore Devens evaluation, the personnel were primarily
enlisted men (46) with service ranging from one year to 22 years. The 11 officers
involved had varied lengths of service and their ranks ranged fran 2d LT to MAJ.
4. The basic comments in this evaluation were much the same as in the previous
evaluation, i.e., the men had more difficulty in opening the blister pack than in
opening the bottle. They found that tablets were crushed and packages were cracked
while carrying the blister packs, and tablets were crushed in the act of openin'?
the blister packs. Again, there were comments on the difficulty of opening the
packages in cold weather and at night.
5. I he basic difference between the results of the two evaluations was the number
of reported cases of bad tablets in the blister package; there were only six renorteu
cases of bad tablets (11%) compared with 53% in the first evaluation. The reported
cases of bad tablets in the bottle was down slightly from 35% to 30%. However,
there were no reported cases of entire bottles of tablets going bad.
6. Although this second evaluation makes the proper disposition of the packaging
task (05-S-69) much clearer, i.e., it tends to lend further support to task termina¬
tion » if will be interesting to find out what happens in the evaluation in Panama
where the cold factor is not present and the moisture problem could be greater.
CF:
CO/IT)
C, MOD
A/C, DED
C, E5S
Carney
ELLSWORTH B. SHANK
Research Analysis Office
B-3
APPENDIX C
COMMENTS ON 20 QUESTIONNAIRES FROM SPECIAL FORCES PERSONNEL
AT FORT GULICK, CANAL ZONE
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
HEADQUARTERS, SECURITY ASSISTANCE FORCE FOR LATIN AMERICA
SPECIAL FORCES BATTALION, 7TH SPECIAL FORCES GROUP (AIRBORNE), 1ST SPECIAL FORCES
FORT GULICK, CANAL ZONE
SCARSF-SD
27 March 1974
SUBJECT: Water Purification Tablet Test
Commander
U.S. Army Land Warfare Laboratory
ATTN: AMXLW-DES/Mr J.C. Carney
Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland 21005
1. Subject test was completed by members of Co A, 3/7th SF Gp (Abn) , 1st
SF, Fort Gulick, Canal Zone during the period 4 Feb 74 thru 14 Mar 74.
Notation should be made of the time in service of the majority of tested
personnel (8 to 18 years). Unused tablets accompany this letter.
2. Most notable observations were made by CPT Kimball and SFC Taylor.
Comments on the tablets as listed below represent the general consensus
of fifteen (15) of the twenty (20) personnel tested, whom preferred the
bottle .
a. Packet was too difficult to open.
b. Tablets in packet were often crushed.
c. Packet was too easily lost.
d. Packet was hard to attach to canteen cover where it serves as a
reminder of use.
e. Packet dissolves when exposed to Army Insect Repellent.
f. Packet is impossible to open if one is wearing gloves or a bandage.
3. Three individuals favored the packet because it was not bulky and could
be conveniently placed out of the way.
4. Two personnel had nothing of value to contribute to the testing phase.
FOR THE COMMANDER:
Major, Infantry
Adjutant
C-2
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