Ozone Decontamination of Military Warfare Agents

Ozonation of military warfare agents is an innovative decontamination option using a proven oxidation technology. Ozone decontamination technology shall be tested on agent simulants in a laboratory breadboard system as the overall objective of this research proposal. Ozone can decontaminate both biological and chemical agents. The biological inactivation mechanism by ozone is directly applicable to the necrosis of biological agents. Ozone lyses pathogen cell walls, releasing the cytoplasm into solution, destroying the cell in one step. Ozone can also oxidize chemicals rapidly and effectively, due to its high oxidation potential. In reaction with many organics, oxone adds to teh double or triple bond site to yield unstable ozonides. The unstable ozonides may continue propogation steps dioxide and water. This general mechanism is the predicted mechanism for ozone reactions with agents such as HD, VX, GD, GB and GA. The development and control of a means for applying ozone for the emergency decontamination of field personnel, equipment and water supplies will provide the Department of Defense a versatile decontamination method with widespread utility. Ozone decontamination technology could be further applied commercially in emergency Haz-mat responses and in agricultural chemical control.