Chemical agent resistant coating (CARC) paint has been used on military vehicles since the early 1970s. Exposure to vapors, mist, dust or fumes from CARC paint can cause health problems such as irritation to the respiratory tract, edema, dermatitis, dizziness, rash, itching, swelling of extremities, eye irritation, or damage to the nervous system, kidney or liver. The coatings may be fatal if swallowed. The primary compounds associated with this potential hazard are trivalent chrome, lead and cobalt-zinc hexamethylene diiscocyanite. Proper respirators should be used if sanding or torch cutting materials that are coated with this paint. These activities often warrant the use of respirators regardless of the paint type. Generally, you can determine if a military vehicle has CARC paint by applying acetone to a clean cloth, rubbing an area for ten seconds, letting it set for about one minute, then repeat. If the paint comes off, it is not CARC.
