Operation Top Hat

Operation Top Hat was one of eight experiments that were conducted by the United States Army Chemical Corps using human subjects. Operation Top Hat tested biological and chemical decontamination methods on human subjects without their consent or knowledge.

In 1953 a series of guidelines was adopted by the United States Army in regard to using human subjects. The guidelines mirrored the Nuremberg code which applied to chemical, radiological, and biological testing. Additionally, all research involving human subjects was to be approved by the Secretary of Army before any testing could start.

However, despite finalizing the guidelines in June of 1953, the guidelines contained a major loophole. The guidelines did not state what type of experiments needed approval, allowing the army to use selective compliance with the guidelines. This in turn allowed Operation Top Hat to be created in 1953 of August.

In September of 1953 the experiments took place at Fort McClellan in Alabama. The Chemical Corps had soldiers be exposed to biological and chemical contaminants such as Sulfur mustard to test decontamination methods. The personnel involved in the testing were unaware of the research and did not consent to it. The Chemical Corps deemed it as a local field exercise and fell under the line of duty.

References:

​

Borak, Jonathan & Sidell, Frederick. (1992). Agents of chemical warfare: Sulfur mustard. Annals of emergency medicine. 21. 303-8. 10.1016/S0196-0644(05)80892-3. 

​

Lombardo, Paul A. “Chemistry: The Hidden War.” Nature News, Nature Publishing Group, 12 Jan. 2017, https://www.nature.com/articles/541154a.

​

Taylor, James R, and William Johnson. “Read ‘Veterans at Risk: The Health Effects of Mustard Gas and Lewisite’ at Nap.edu.” F. Summary of the Department of the Army Report: Use of Volunteers in Chemical Agent Research | Veterans at Risk: The Health Effects of Mustard Gas and Lewisite |The National Academies Press, https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/2058/chapter/21#379.

​

US Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration. “Va.gov: Veterans Affairs.” Protect Your Health, 3 Apr. 2015, https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/fort-mcclellan/index.asp.