Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide (VHP) Decontamination of VX, GD, and HD
Abstract
Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide (VHP) has been utilized for more than a decade to sterilize clean rooms and pharmaceutical processing equipment and, quite recently, to decontaminate anthrax-ridden buildings. VHP is also suitable for the decontamination of VX and HD, which readily converts these agents to ethyl methylphosphonic acid and bis(2-chloroethyl) sulfoxide, respectively. However, GD is quite stable in the presence of VHP. The simple addition of low-levels of ammonia gas renders VHP reactive towards GD, converting it pinacolyl methylphosphonic acid. Thus, with suitable activation via ammonia gas, VHP affords the broad-spectrum decontamination of VX, GD, and HD. Potential decontamination applications for this gaseous reactant system include: buildings, vehicle and aircraft interiors, and sensitive equipment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 19, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA453108
Entities
People
- David C. Sorrick
- George Wayne Wagner
- Iain F. Mcvey
- Lawrence R. Procell
- Lewis I. Schwartz
- Mark D. Brickhouse
- Zoe A. Hess
Organizations
- Edgewood Chemical Biological Center