Biologic warfare agents, ideal

Many substances have been evaluated for their usefulness in skin decontamination. The most common problems with potential decontaminants are irritation of the skin, toxicity, ineffectiveness, or high cost. An ideal decontaminant will rapidly and completely remove or detoxify all known chemical and biological warfare agents. Furthermore, a suitable skin decontaminant must have certain properties that are not requirements for decontaminants for equipment.12 Recognized desirable traits of a skin decontaminant are shown in Exhibit 15-1. 

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