Polymeric Agent Decontamination System

The threat of military and terrorist deployment of chemical weapons has increased alarmingly in recent years. A universal decontamination system is required for safe and effective neutralization of standard and thickened chemical warfare agents (G, V, and H). The system must be non-toxic, non-corrosive, and non-hazardous to equipment and personnel. For effective implementation, the system must be stable, inexpensive, and easy to transport and deploy under field conditions. Current decontamination systems such as DS2 and supertropical bleach are toxic and corrosive. Physical Sciences, Inc. proposes to develop an inexpensive, stable, non-toxic, non-corrosive polymeric decontamination system for G, V, and H agents. The system will be formulated as a water-soluble dry powder to reduce logistical burdens. The system will be effective in either dry or aqueous (reconstituted) form, and will provide a colorimetric indication of the progress of the decontamination reaction. The system will be safe for use on a variety of material including medical decontamination of skin and wounds. In Phase I a prototype system will be formulated and used to demonstrate the rapid, effective decontamination of a material surface coated with standard and thickened agent simulants. A preliminary formulation of the Phase II decontamination system will be completed.