Review of Toxicological Data Regarding Contact Hazards of Chemical Agents
Abstract
"Contact hazard" is a complex function of: (1) agent percutaneous (PC) toxicity; (2) agent bioavailability; and (3) the exposure scenario. While visibly wet, agent-contaminated surfaces present an obvious contact hazard, chemical exposure becomes increasingly more risky when there is no visible sign or detection of agent contamination particularly if the surface has been theoretically decontaminated. The inability to detect contamination does NOT indicate that there is no hazard. The larger body of data clearly indicates that "contact hazard" cannot be separated from "agent fate". Merely determining the amount of agent retained in a surface does not determine the "contact hazard" that may be present, because it does not address the bioavailability of the agent. The potential toxicological hazards of liquid/vapor agent-contaminated/ decontaminated surfaces and materials have not been adequately characterized. Some agent data are sparse, and animal-to-human extrapolation has been more qualitative than quantitative. The existing human toxicity estimates for PC exposure are fraught with uncertainty, and their error bars are large. More research is necessary to develop reliable human toxicity estimates without which, it is impossible to determine contact hazard.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADB321921
Entities
People
- Douglas R. Sommerville
- Michele M. Murray
- Ruth W. Moretz
- Sharon A. Reutter
Organizations
- Edgewood Chemical Biological Center