Self-decontamination

Before exiting the contaminated area on-site decontamination should be performed to the injured persons and self-decontamination of rescue units. 

Nurse responders must approach contaminated sites with great caution an6 be prepared to self-decontaminate. Nurse receivers need to have a solid understanding of how to stay safe while participating in decontamination procedures and patient care at the hospital. 

B. Group II will consist of canned and unopened packaged items, the outsides of which have been contaminated with a liquid chemical agent. The best procedure is to allow self decontamination of the packaging material by ageing and airing. If a shortage of food does not permit the necessary time for self decontamination, then a decontamination procedure is to strip... 

Salter et al. (2009) developed an N-chloramide modified poly(m-phenylenediamine isophthalamide) (Nomex ) in an attempt to produce a regenerable self-decontaminating material for protection against chemical threats. The authors derivatized Nomex with a chlorinated analog of l-chloro-5,5-dimethyl 3-(trimethoxysilylpropyl)hydantoin (BA-1) in this approach. While... 

A better method for self-decontamination. Science and Technology Review, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, March 2009, pp. 20-2. https //str.llnl.gov/Mai09/ pdfs/03.09.04.pdf [accessed 28 October 2011]. 

Salter, B., Owens, J., Hayn, R., McDonald, R. and Shannon, E. 2009. N-chloramide modified Nomex as a regenerable self-decontaminating material for protection against chemical warfare agents. Journal of Materials Science, 44,2069-78. 

Lewisite and phosgene oxime (GX) are also vesicants but are different from sulfur mustard and have never been used militarily. In liquid or vapor form they produce immediate pain and injury. Because of the immediate pain, the victims tend to run away from the exposure and immediately begin self-decontamination. 

Recently, several groups have reported catalysts for the Oa-based oxidation of sulfides that are both fairly fast and selective. Bosch and Kochi established that NO2 is a highly effective sulfoxidation catalyst (, 5), as is NO however, gases are not compatible with the formulation of useful self-decontaminating solutions, fabrics, cosmetics, filters or coatings. Other published catalysts for aerobic sulfoxidation are corrosive, toxic, require light, or exhibit other characteristics we wish to avoid. 

Among the various categories of smart textiles and flexible materials, which include optically, mechanically, chemically, electrically, and thermally activated substances/ stmctures (Tao, 2001), several have shown large opportunities of applications in PPE. This includes wearable electronics, for example, physiological condition, temperature, and humidity sensors, power and data transmitters, and end-of-life indicators, which are the subject of the next chapter of this book. Various types of smart flexible materials have also found their way into PPE, for instance, as responsive barriers, self-decontaminating membranes, thermoregulating layers, and shock-absorbing patches. 

Singh, A., Dressick, W.J., 2006. Self-decontaminating textiles for protection against chentical and biological toxins. In Techtextil Symposium North America, 2006 March 28—30, 2006, Atlanta, GA, USA. 

Wynne JH, Fulmer PA, McCluskey DM, Mackey NM, Buchanan JP. Synthesis and development of a multifunctional self-decontaminating polyurethane coating. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2011 3 2005-11. 

Smart fibers would fend off chemical and biological agents, self-decontaminate, and become waterproof. 

Decontamination must take place before the patient leaves the hot and warm zones and therefore is best performed at the border of the inner cordon upwind of the threat and in close proximity to the treatment facility. It should only be carried out by trained personnel wear-ing appropriate PPE. Ambulatory casualties should be directed to self-decontamination facilities, initially with dry decontamination by removal of all clothing, which should be disposed of appropriately. If specialised decontamination imits are initially imavailable, improvised methods may be utilised as outlined in Box 5.5. However, no attempt should be made to carry this out imtil appropriate PPE is available. Contaminated casualties may self-present to local hospitals and will require decontamination outside emergency departments. 

---