title: Efficacy of scalp hair decontamination following exposure to vapours of sulphur mustard simulants 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulphide and methyl salicylate.
abstract: Chemical warfare agents are an actual threat and victims' decontamination is a main concern when mass exposure occurs. Skin decontamination with current protocols has been widely documented, as well as surface decontamination. However, considering hair ability to trap chemicals in vapour phase, we investigated hair decontamination after exposure to sulphur mustard simulants methyl salicylate and 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulphide. Four decontamination protocols were tested on hair, combining showering and emergency decontamination (use of Fuller's earth or Reactive Skin Decontamination Lotion RSDL®). Both simulants were recovered from hair after treatment, but contents were significantly reduced (42-85% content allowance). Showering alone was the least efficient protocol. Concerning 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulphide, protocols did not display significant differences in decontamination efficacy. For MeS, use of emergency decontaminants significantly increased showering efficacy (10-20% rise), underlining their usefulness before thorough decontamination. Our results highlighted the need to extensively decontaminate hair after chemical exposure. Residual amounts after decontamination are challenging, as their release from hair could lead to health issues.
authors: Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, LCE, Marseille, France.
authors: Marie
authors: M
authors: Spiandore
authors: Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, LCE, Marseille, France. Electronic address: anne.piram@univ-amu.fr.
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Piram
authors: Bataillon des Marins-Pompiers (BMPM) de Marseille, 13303 Marseille, France.
authors: Alexandre
authors: A
authors: Lacoste
authors: Utilis SAS, 57365 Ennery, France.
authors: Philippe
authors: P
authors: Prevost
authors: Utilis SAS, 57365 Ennery, France.
authors: Pascal
authors: P
authors: Maloni
authors: Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'Ecologie Marine et continentale (IMBE), Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, IRD, Avignon Université, Faculté de Saint Jérôme, Case 421, 13397 Marseille Cedex 20, France.
authors: Franck
authors: F
authors: Torre
authors: Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, LCE, Marseille, France.
authors: Laurence
authors: L
authors: Asia
authors: Service Départemental d'Incendie et de Secours des Alpes-Maritimes (SDIS06), 06271 Villeneuve-Loubet Cedex, France.
authors: Denis
authors: D
authors: Josse
authors: Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, LCE, Marseille, France.
authors: Pierre
authors: P
authors: Doumenq
mesh_terms: D017607:Aluminum Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D003666:Decontamination / Q000379:methods*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D005740:Gases / Q000737:chemistry*; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D017616:Magnesium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D009151:Mustard Gas / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D012459:Salicylates / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D017640:Silicates / Q000494:pharmacology; D063465:Skin Cream / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D017607:Aluminum Compounds; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D005740:Gases; D017616:Magnesium Compounds; D012459:Salicylates; D017640:Silicates; C031278:2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide; C001262:Fuller's Earth; C033069:methyl salicylate; D009151:Mustard Gas
keywords: CWA; Decontamination; HD; Hair exposure; Showering