Evaluation of time required for water-only decontamination of an oil-based agent.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

The objective was to evaluate the time to decontaminate an area of skin exposed to an oil-based agent using a water-only decontamination protocol.

METHODS

A fluorescent mock chemical/biological agent was created. Each of 20 subjects had his/her forearm sprayed with the agent. Each subject placed his/her arm under a decontamination shower, which provided water at a pressure of 60-70 psi and 35 degrees C. After 30 sec a black light was used by three evaluators to determine whether the agent was removed. The process of 30 sec decontamination and re-evaluation was repeated for a total of 5 min. The primary endpoint was proportion decontaminated over time.

RESULTS

After 90 sec, 100% of subjects were decontaminated.

CONCLUSION

Whereas the data suggest the possibility of rapid water-only decontamination, the applicability of this data in current form is doubtful, but provides a model as a basis for future study.