Biomaterials for mediation of chemical and biological warfare agents.
Recent events have emphasized the threat from chemical and biological warfare agents. Within the efforts to counter this threat, the biocatalytic destruction and sensing of chemical and biological weapons has become an important area of focus. The specificity and high catalytic rates of biological catalysts make them appropriate for decommissioning nerve agent stockpiles, counteracting nerve agent attacks, and remediation of organophosphate spills. A number of materials have been prepared containing enzymes for the destruction of and protection against organophosphate nerve agents and biological warfare agents. This review discusses the major chemical and biological warfare agents, decontamination methods, and biomaterials that have potential for the preparation of decontamination wipes, gas filters, column packings, protective wear, and self-decontaminating paints and coatings.
Russell
Alan J
AJ
Department of Surgery, McGowan Institute of Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219, USA. russellaj@msx.upmc.edu
Berberich
Jason A
JA
Drevon
Geraldine F
GF
Koepsel
Richard R
RR
D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D001694:Biological Warfare; D023482:Bioterrorism; D002618:Chemical Warfare; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D003666:Decontamination / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011482:Protective Devices
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents