Development of a Catalytically Reactive Topical Skin Protectant j(rTSP) Against Chemical Warfare Agents

Topical Skin Protectants (TSPs) comprised of perfluorinated polyether oil thickened with PTFE are currently used to protect of military personnel from Chemical Warfare Agents (CWAs). The existing TSPs provide an effective physical barrier to CWAs. However, they possess no destructive capacity toward the CWAs. The incorporation of catalytically reactive materials capable of neutralizing chemical warfare agents, nerve agents and/or vesicants, would markedly enhance the efficacy of TSPs. Under the proposed program METSS will identiiy and synthesize catalytically reactive materials (emryrnes) capable of neutralizing CWAs. The destruction of both organophosphorous compounds and vesicants will be considered. The materials developed by METSS will be incorporated into the existing barrier cream formulation, and the feasibility of the proposed concept will be demonstrated by measuring the destruction efficiency of the catalytic agents for suitable organophosphorous simulants of CWAs, such as Malathion or Parathion. A secondary objective of the program is to use computational models to demonstrate the feasibility of designing small molecular catalysts that will model enzyme activity for the production of artificial chemzymes which can be used to catalyze the destruction of CWAs. The incorporation of a catalytically reactive species that will inactivate CWAs will markedly increase and enhance the efficacy of TSPs by increasing the barrier properties of the protectant. The action of the materials on the CWAs will remove their toxic properties should breakthrough occur. Commercial applications could include protection for workers in the agricultural and food processing industries.