Persistence and Effective Half-Life of Chemical Warfare Agent VX on Grass Foliage
Abstract
The primary focus of this investigation was to experimentally determine the Effective Half-Life of VX on grass foliage (Echinochloa crus-galli) using living healthy plants to obtain results applicable to VX-contaminated battlefields. The Effective Half-Life of VX on grass foliage was determined as the net effect of factors affecting the persistence of stabilized Chemical Agent Standard Analytical Reference Material (CASARM)-grade VX on grass, including fixation, transformation, and evaporation. Fate of VX on grass foliage was established as the partitioned percentages of the disseminated-VX. Rapid reactions with foliage within the first minute caused 9 of disseminated-VX to quickly become unextractable; however, 88 remained in the form of extractable-VX 1 min post-dissemination. The Effective Half-Life of that extractable-VX on the grass foliage, from 1 min post-dissemination onward, was 72 h (95 confidence interval, 4698 h). The Effective Half-Life of VX is a key strategic value because it accounts for the persistent VX-hazard from the bulk of disseminated-VX, corresponding to a slow decline over time. Experimental data reported herein were established under controlled and measured environmental conditions, for input into predictive models, comparison to model outcomes, and to provide critical information for decision-making affecting Soldiers on VX-contaminated battlefields.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1038552
Entities
People
- Mark V. Haley
- Michael Simini
- Michael W. Busch
- Richard J. Lawrence
- Roman G Kuperman
- Ronald A. Evans
- Ronald T. Checkai
- William T. Muse
Organizations
- Edgewood Chemical Biological Center