Decontamination of Casualties from Battlefield Under CW and BW Attack
Abstract
A series of activated clays were evaluated for their ability to adsorb and/or react with simulants of mustard (HD). The stimulant was chloroethylethylsulfide (CEES). Using the newly developed 'washer test' for total adsorption-decomposition, the clay sample was considerably more effective in stopping CEES than was Fuller's Earth. A measured decomposition rate of 4 minutes for the stimulant CEES showed the clays to be much better than Fuller's Earth or samples of proprietary polymers. The results with the simulant diethyl chlorophosphate (DECP) were not clear-cut, since certain clay samples appeared to encapsulate the agent without destroying it. Attempts to identify products of the decomposition were only partly successful, since the products seemed to be bound to clay. Hydrolysis products of the DECP were detected. Reactive monomers of vinyl benzyl chloride were grafted onto polyethylene films and converted to quaternary salts. The anion of these salts was exchanged to give highly nucleophilic hydroxide, azide, or thiosulfate salts. Oxidative anions such as permanganate chromate, perchlorate, chlorate, or hypochloride were also formed. These films had low capacity for decontamination but could be treated with indicators to form detection films. Polymers having the diethylene triamine side chain were prepared. Attempts to prepare a polymeric form of DS-2 (a sodium hydroxide-containing decontaminant) were interrupted by the close of the project. Keywords: Decontamination materials; Chemical warfare agents; Fuller's earth; Clay.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 15, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA211477
Entities
People
- David A. Trujillo
- Edward P. Mcgovern
- Henry F. Hamil
- Robert E. Lyle
Organizations
- Southwest Research Institute