Skin decontamination of mustards and organophosphates: comparative efficiency of RSDL and Fuller's earth in domestic swine.
Research in skin decontamination and therapy of chemical warfare agents has been a difficult problem due to the simultaneous requirement of rapid action and non-aggressive behaviour. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of two decontaminating systems: the Canadian Reactive Skin Decontaminant Lotion (RSDL) and the Fuller's Earth (FE). The experiment was conducted with domestic swine, as a good model for extrapolation to human skin. RSDL and FE were tested against sulphur mustard (SM), a powerful vesicant, and VX, a potent and persistent cholinesterase inhibitor. When used 5 min after contamination, the results clearly showed that both systems were active against SM (10.1 mg/cm(2)) and VX (0.06 mg/cm(2)). The potency of the RSDL/sponge was statistically better than FE against skin injury induced by SM, observed 3 days post-exposure. RSDL was rather more efficient than FE in reducing the formation of perinuclear vacuoles and inflammation processes in the epidermis and dermis. Against a severe inhibition (67%) of plasmatic cholinesterases induced by VX poisoning, the potencies of the RSDL/sponge and FE were similar. Both systems completely prevented cholinesterase inhibition, which indirectly indicates a prevention of toxic absorption through the skin.
Taysse
L
L
Centre détudes du Bouchet, (Defence Research Center), Vert Le Petit, France. laurent.taysse@dga.defense.gouv.fr
Daulon
S
S
Delamanche
S
S
Bellier
B
B
Breton
P
P
D017607:Aluminum Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000633:toxicity; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000633:toxicity; D002801:Cholinesterase Reactivators / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003666:Decontamination / Q000379:methods*; D003931:Diacetyl / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D005260:Female; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D017616:Magnesium Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009151:Mustard Gas / Q000633:toxicity*; D009336:Necrosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D009946:Organothiophosphorus Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017640:Silicates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D034421:Sus scrofa
D017607:Aluminum Compounds; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D002801:Cholinesterase Reactivators; D003931:Diacetyl; D017616:Magnesium Compounds; D009151:Mustard Gas; D009946:Organothiophosphorus Compounds; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D017640:Silicates; C004717:diacetylmonoxime; C001262:Fuller's Earth; C028210:monomethoxypolyethylene glycol; C009680:VX-agent