Reactive skin decontaminant lotion

Reactive oximes and their salts, such as potassium 2,3-butanedione monoximate found in commercially available Reactive Skin Decontaminant Lotion (RSDL), are extremely effective at rapidly detoxifying sulfur vesicants. Some chloroisocyanurates, similar to those found in the Canadian Aqueous System for Chemical-Biological Agent Decontamination (CAS-CAD), are effective at detoxifying sulfur vesicants, and so is oxone, a peroxymonosulfate triple salt. 

Reactive oximes and their salts, such as potassium 2,3-butanedione monoximate found in commercially available Reactive Skin Decontaminant Lotion (RSDL), are extremely effective at rapidly detoxifying arsenic vesicants. 

Reactive Skin Decontamination Lotion (RSDL) Pretreatment Topical In vitro, human skin 18-fold reduction in skin absorption rate, may partially extract SM from the skin reservoir Chilcott et al. (2002)... 

FIGURE 71.3. RSDL reactive skin decontamination lotion... 

T. (2004). Clinical safety of reactive skin decontamination lotion (RSDL). Toxicologist 78 354-5. 

Walters, T.J., Kauvar, D.S., Reeder, J., Baer, D.G. (2007). Effect of reactive skin decontamination lotion on skin wound healing in lahoratory rats. Mil. Med. 172 318-21. 

Decontamination can be achieved using particulate, nonparticulate, aqueous, and nonaqueous systems. However, for personnel decontamination, it is preferable to use nonparticulate decontamination systems, as they are most convenient for end users (DoD 2004, 2005). Efficacy of nonparticulate decontamination systems may be augmented through add-on usage of aqueous systems such as Reactive Skin Decontamination Lotion (DoD 2007). 

Reactive Skin Decontamination Lotion (RSDL) has recently been approved for procurement by the U.S. military (F-Z-EM 2007). RSDL is currently marketed by E-Z-EM, Inc. and is a patented, broad spectrum, skin decontamination lotion that is used to remove or neutralize chemical threat agents and biological warfare agents such as trichothecene mycotoxin (T2 toxin), which can cause severe skin and eye irritation. RSDL was originally developed by the Canadian Defense Research Establishment and consists of 1.25 molar potassium 2,3-butanedione monoximate in poly-etheylene glycol monoethyl ethers with 10% w/v water (Sabourin et al. 2001 Lukey et al. 2004). 

Sabourin, C.L., Hayes T.L., and Snider T.H., 2001. A medical research and evaluation facility study on Canadian reactive skin decontamination lotion. Final report, USAMRICD, Edgewood Area, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. 

Though an ideal decontaminant may be difficult to attain, many alternatives exist that are readily available and meet many basic requirements, van Hooidonk et al. (1983) evaluated a variety of household products as decontaminants for VX, soman, and sulfur mustard. His paper provides an excellent comparison of these readily available decontaminants to include flour, soapy water, talcum powder, and tissue paper. We have selected several other candidate decontaminants that are under investigation, in advanced development, or currently fielded. These include the currently fielded U.S. Department of Defense skin decontaminants (M291 Skin Decontamination Kit [SDK], 0.5% hypochlorite, and 1% soapy water). Reactive Skin Decontaminant Lotion (RSDL), Diphoterine, Sandia Laboratory s Decontamination Foam, and the Decontamination Sponge. 

RSDL (Reactive Skin Decontamination Lotion) The extraordinarily long process to achieve FDA approval of this product can be attributed to the fact that DoD laboratories did not have sufficient expertise to address some of the regulatory issues related to product safety, incompatibility, and/or efficacy. Collaboration with experts from the drug development industry could have addressed some of these issues. RSDL was cleared by FDA for military use in 2003. 

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