Development of a Chemical Sterilant for Use in Austere Environments

The goal of this project is to develop and validate the performance of a chemical sterilant solution for use in austere environments that sterilizes surgical instruments and other materiel through immersion. The product is a concentrate that when mixed with potable water creates a solution capable of the desired sterilization. In Phase I, we identified formulations that quickly produce the chemical sterilant when it is added to water. We successfully tested the chemical sterilant for the rapid destruction of spores in solution and on surfaces and prepared prototype heat-sealed packaging for the chemical sterilant precursors. In Phase II we will optimize the formulation and packaging and scale-up their production. We will supply samples to the DHA for testing in Role 2 and 3 environments to get feedback from the military that we will use to further improve the product’s performance and usability. Before we can deliver our product to the military, regulatory approvals will be needed with the EPA and FDA and we will begin those processes. Lastly, we will carry out a preliminary cost and engineering analysis for producing the chemical sterilant packets.