Toxicity of 'Detoxified' GB, VX, and HD to Animals and Aquatic Organisms

Abstract

A study was conducted to establish the procedures necessary to assure that 'detoxified' GB, VX, and HD would not be harmful to personnel handling the solutions and that solutions disposed of into water systems would not be harmful to people and aquatic organisms. The solutions tested were: 10% sodium carbonate, pH 12.3; 10% calcium hypochlorite, pH 12.6;GB detoxified with 10% sodium carbonate, pH 10.5; VX detoxified with 10% calcium hypochlorite, pH 5.9; and HD detoxified with 10% calcium hypochlorite, pH 3.6. Solutions neutralized to pH 7 were also tested. Based on intravenous, intragastric, ocular, and cutaneous tests of the above solutions in mammals, immersion of fish and microcrustacea, and growth of aquatic plants, the following conclusions were reached: (1) Personnel handling the unneutralized solutions should wear the same body protection prescribed for handling corrosive liquids. (2) The solutions should be diluted 1:1,000 to 1:10,000 before being handled by unprotected personnel. (3) Unneutralized 10% calcium hypochlorite should be diluted to <10 ppm and the other solutions should be diluted to <50 ppm before release into waters inhabited by fish. (4) All solutions must be neutralized before being released into waters containing aquatic plants; the GB and VX solutions should also be diluted 1:100,000 and the HD solution should be diluted 1:1,000,000. (Modified author abstract)

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1973
Accession Number
AD0765428

Entities

People

  • E. G. Worthley
  • E. J. Owens
  • J. T. Weimer
  • P. F. Robinson
  • R. K. Biskup

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Algae
  • Animals
  • Aquatic Organisms
  • Aquatic Plants
  • Chemical Warfare Agents
  • Fish
  • Hydrochloric Acid
  • Materials
  • Medical Personnel
  • New York
  • North America
  • Plants
  • Salt Water
  • Skin Diseases
  • Toxicity
  • Toxicology
  • United States

Readers

  • Analytical Chemistry