RSDL decontaminant

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)... 

Taysse, L., Daulon, S., Delamanche, S., Bellier, B., Breton, P. (2007). Skin decontamination of mustards and organophos-phates comparative efficiency of RSDL and Fuller s earth in domestic swine. Hum. Exp. Toxicol. 26(2) 135 1. 

FIGURE 71.3. RSDL reactive skin decontamination lotion... 

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

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). 

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. In 1995, the Canadian Defense Research Establishment at Ottawa and Suffield developed and patented a liquid skin decontaminant for CWA exposure named RSDL. RSDL is a formulation of potassium 2,3-butanedione monoxime (as free oxime and potassium salt) in a solvent of polyethylene glycol monomethylether (MPEG) of 550 nominal molecular weight with 10% w/w water (pH 10.6) (Sabourin et al., 2001 Bide et al., 2005 Material Data Safety Sheet, 2006). 

RSDL is currently manufactured by E-Z-EM, Inc (Lake Success, NY) and was selected to gradually replace the M291 kit for U.S. military. The Milestone C decision was made on March 16, 2007. RSDL is currently fielded by Australia, Belgium, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Slovenia, and Sweden. This lotion has the benefit of being a wet decontamination system, which is generally more effective than dry systems. 

Several decontaminants are readily available for CWA exposure. The trae measure of effectiveness requires that all products be tested identically, to include soapy water as van Hooidonk et al. (1983) did so well for common household products. The most comprehensive data available are the studies conducted at the USAMRICD (Braue, 2006 Hanssen et al., 2006) which directly compared the efficacy of M291 SDK, RSDL, 0.5% bleach, and 1% soapy water challenged with soman, cyclosarin, VX, and VR in the clipped haired guinea pig model. The most important guiding principle of decontamination is rapid removal of the threat agents from the skin. This principle supersedes seeking out sophisticated decontaminants immediately after CWA exposure. The immediate use of soapy water would offer far better results than the best possible decontaminant that was delayed more than 30 min in its use. Future evaluation of potential decontaminants should consider all of the discussed factors to determine the best product. 

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. 

This type of skin decontamination process is widely used by the miUtary to neutralize CWAs. Hydrolysis (the use of acidic or alkaline solutions) and chlorination are two important examples [156]. With the currently used Reactive Skin Decontamination Liquid (RSDL) procedure which is intended to remove and neutralize warfare agents, the chemical alteration/deactivation effect is secondary. The main effect is mechanical removal with a powdered glove or sponge. 

The efficacy of RSDL has been demonstrated. It was selected as the Joint Service Persoimel Decontamination... 

FIGURE 76.3 RSDL used to decontaminate skin exposed to CWA. 

System in March 2007 for use in the US Army, Navy and Air Force. It is also an approved medical device for nerve agent decontamination in the European Union, Australia, and Canada. The efficacy of RSDL to remove and decontaminate CWAs was demonstrated in vivo with guinea pigs and in vitro with chick embryos. 

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