For chemical weapons decontamination

In the context of reahzation of the conventional programs for chemical weapon (CW) destruction, chronic effects of subsymptomatic concentrations of RVX are of particular interest, since risk of exposure of personnel of the CW destruction facihties to chemical agents cannot be completely ruled out. In addition, members of the rescue service engaged in the decontamination process are regarded as a group at high risk of exposure. The difficulty of diagnosis of delayed effects and chronic intoxication with RVX relates to polymorphism of the clinical manifestations... 

At the time of the attack, there were no established measures to deal with chemical weapons, decontamination was not undertaken, and no antidote was administered at the sites of the attack. During the initial critical hours when doctors could have played an important role, none were present at the sites of the attack. At the request of the Tokyo Fire Department, a total of 73 medical staff - 47 doctors, 23 nurses and three clerks - were dispatched to 4 subway stations for triage and emergency treatment (Chigusa, 1995). However, because they reached the stations after 9 00 am, they did not provide emergency medical treatment such as tracheal intubation. 

Microemulsions as Decontamination Media for Chemical Weapons and Toxic Industrial Chemicals... 

Currently, scientists and experts from many countries are working on development and implementation of a readiness for anti terrorist actions. In addition to chemical weapons, terrorists can use various toxic chemicals from chemical industry, agriculture or products released from terrorist acts on industrial facilities. The arsenal of chemical agents that can be used as terrorist agents is practically unlimited. The focus of this workshop was assessment of scientific concepts and practical means for management of chemical agent casualties in the area of terrorist attack with emphasis on improving the medical treatment and decontamination. These problems were analyzed from an interdisciplinary perspective. 

The Army terminology for destruction of obsolete weapons Is "demilitarization". This term encompasses all the steps required to disassemble and safely destroy or decontaminate the component materials of which the munition was constructed. National Academy of Sciences and Department of the Army Guidance for demilitarization of obsolete chemical weapons (t) requires absolute safety and security, assurance of total containment of agent during processing, maximum protection of operating personnel and Incontrovertible evidence verifying the destruction of the toxic wastes. 

Teledyne-Commodore. 2000.3X Decontamination of Dunnage Using SET, August 8. Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. Program Manager for Assembled Chemical Weapons Assessment. 

A possible application for nanotubes (see Section 16.2) is in the sensing and decontamination of chemical and biological weapons. Preliminary results [976] show that some lipid nanotubes change colour when exposed to model chemical weapon components and bacteria, and that they may be able to reduce the concentrations of bacteria. Figure 16.5 shows nanotubes adsorbing onto and even piercing an Escherichia coli bacteria cell. 

These enzymes are promising for destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles, soil remediation, decontamination of materials, protective equipment, and water polluted by pesticides and nerve agents (Russel et al, 2003). In particular, phosphorothiolates such as VX are relatively resistant to PTE. Thus, oxidative cleavage of the P-S bond could be achieved by oxidases like laccases. These enzymes could be used in association with other OP-degrading enzymes for skin decontamination or in topical skin protection formulations. Though no work has been performed on combined action of oxidases and hydrolases, oxidation of P-bonded alkyl/aryl chains by oxidases is expected to alter enantio-selectivity of PTE for parent OPs, and therefore to improve the efficiency of catalytic bioscavengers. 

Guidelines for Mass Casualty Decontamination during a Terrorist Chemical Agent Incident. Chemical Weapons Improved Response Program (30 April 2001), U.S. Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command, http /www.stonningmedia.us/09/0974/A097493.html (accessed December 2006). 

It would be irresponsible to focus solely on research and development, while ignoring potentially simpler, faster, or less expensive mechanisms, such as organization, staff, training, and procurement. All health establishments must be surveyed and evaluated for the tasks of being prepared and responding adequately to potential terrorist violence. Not only should a special attention be paid to supplies of antidotes, drugs, ventilators, personal protective equipment and decontamination capacity, but the spotlight must also be fixed on an insufficient familiarity of medical stuff with the acute effects and treatment of chemical weapons. 

Emphasis in this review is on those potential degradation products resulting from agent contact with soil, water or the atmosphere after unintended release from historically buried chemical weapons and wastes, or potential spills during munition demilitarization and disposal activities. The principal degradation processes include photolysis, hydrolysis, oxidation and microbial degradation. Volatilization is an important mechanism for the transfer of some CWAs from soil and water to air. Decontamination procedures, considered in Chapter 7, may incorporate some or all of these processes. 

Acute toxicity figures for man are not known but a lowest lethal concentration over 30 min of 6 ppm was quoted by Maynard (1989). The LD50 has been measured in a number of species (Table 3), while LCfsoS in a variety of species vary from 500 to 1500 mg min m 3 (Goldman and Dacre, 1989). The efficacy of lewisite, like that of mustard, depends partly upon its vesicant properties but lewisite is also a lethal systemic chemical weapon. About 30 drops (2.6 g), applied to the skin and not washed off or otherwise decontaminated would be expected to produce a fatal outcome in an average man. 

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