Evaluation of time required for water-only decontamination of an oil-based agent.
OBJECTIVE
The objective was to evaluate the time to decontaminate an area of skin exposed to an oil-based agent using a water-only decontamination protocol.


METHODS
A fluorescent mock chemical/biological agent was created. Each of 20 subjects had his/her forearm sprayed with the agent. Each subject placed his/her arm under a decontamination shower, which provided water at a pressure of 60-70 psi and 35 degrees C. After 30 sec a black light was used by three evaluators to determine whether the agent was removed. The process of 30 sec decontamination and re-evaluation was repeated for a total of 5 min. The primary endpoint was proportion decontaminated over time.


RESULTS
After 90 sec, 100% of subjects were decontaminated.


CONCLUSIONS
Whereas the data suggest the possibility of rapid water-only decontamination, the applicability of this data in current form is doubtful, but provides a model as a basis for future study.
Moffett
Peter M
PM
Madigan Army Medical Center, ATTN MCHJ-EM, Tacoma, WA 98431, USA.
Baker
Benjamin L
BL
Kang
Christopher S
CS
Johnson
Melinda S
MS
D000287:Administration, Topical; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055884:Chemical Hazard Release / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D003666:Decontamination / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D008889:Military Personnel; D009821:Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D011312:Pressure; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014867:Water
D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D009821:Oils; D014867:Water