Chemical/Biological Decontamination

As early as World War I, chemical warfare agents (CWA), both vesicants (HD) and nerve agents (GB, GD, VX), were used against enemy forces. Since that time, a significant investment has been made in research involved with the development of protective equipment, antidotes to CWAs, and decontamination methods, chemicals and equipment. The primary methods of decontamination involve the actual physical removal of the material by absorption onto other materials or washing/flushing with water or chemical and biological decontamination agents. Physical removal is non-specific and is effective if only it can be accomplished quickly and thoroughly. When using chemical decontaminants, there is always the concern that the decontaminant may result in additional damage to personnel and equipment. This is certainly a concern when decontaminating critical components or materials, which have been submitted for repair or refurbishment from an operating field location. Under this program, METSS proposes to modify VHPr (vapor phase hydrogen peroxide) technology pioneered by Steris Corporation with the addition of other vapor phase oxidizing and/or reducing agents to develop a process which will safely and quickly decontaminate parts and other critical aircraft components.