Development of Multifunctional Perfluorinated Polymer Blends as an Active Barrier Cream Against Chemical Warfare Agents
Abstract
Chemical warfare agents (CWA's) represent a real and growing threat both to U.S. Armed Forces as well as to civilians. Within the last three decades, chemical weapons have been used by the Soviets in Cambodia (yellow rain, tricothecene mycotoxins),1 by Iraq against Iran (HD and tabun),2 and by Iraq against its own dissident Kurdish population at Halabja (HD, HCN(g))3. In the United States' experience in World War 1, almost one-third of hospitalized casualties were a result of CWA's.4 Furthermore, the 1000 casualties and 12 deaths(5) resulting from the 1995 terrorist use of sarin (GB) in Tokyo show that civilians have also become targets. in this paper we focus on protection against two classes of CWA's: nerve agents (soman, GD) and blister agents (sulfur mustard, HD).' Protection against these agents in the United States Army consists of a chemically resistant outer layer of clothing (BDO) and protective mask (M40).7 This scheme of protection allows operation in a chemically contaminated area but results in decreased performance and increased heat retention. We have investigated a material that serves as a physical barrier to CWA's and contains an active moiety to neutralize hazardous chemicals. This Active Topical Skin Protectant (aTSP) would be used in conjunction with other protective procedures. Herein we report the preparation, characterization, and evaluation of aTSP's.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA395268
Entities
People
- Ernest H. Braue Jr.
- Stephen T Hobson
Organizations
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense