Chemical Wide-Area Decontamination I: Bulk Chemicals as Reactive Decontaminants
Abstract
A wide-area decontaminant is needed to rapidly respond to and recover from a potential chemical warfare agent release on exterior surfaces at a transportation terminal or facility, such as runways and docks at an airport or seaport. Current decontaminant technologies are prohibitively expensive and difficult to prepare when used on large scales, so a simple, scalable, and inexpensive decontamination process is needed. A screening methodology was used to explore a large number of bulk chemicals for use as decontaminants of bis(2-chloroethyl) sulfide (HD) and 2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl]-O-ethyl methylphosphonothioate (VX) on asphalt and concrete. Several chemicals, such as persulfates, dichloroisocyanates, and hydroxides showed good decontaminant performance on concrete surfaces. Asphalt surfaces were markedly more difficult to decontaminate, with only Oxone providing reasonable efficacy. Results are presented on studies that explored the influence of application temperature, surfactant concentration, use of cosolvents, pH, and multiple applications on decontaminant efficacy. The mechanisms for decontamination for these types of materials are also proposed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1152376
Entities
People
- Craig S. Schenning
- Janlyn H. Eikenberg
- Jill L. Ruth
- Joseph P. Myers
- Kevin M. Morrissey
- Michael J. Chesebrough
- Neil A. Hawbaker
- Stefanie Q. Smallwood
- Thomas P. Pearl