Medical Research and Evaluation Facility (MREF) and Studies Supporting the Medical Chemical Defense Program (Task Order 0020): Evaluation of Decontamination Solutions for Use on Remains

摘要

Priority 1 - Embalming Fluid Effects on Chemical Warfare Agent- The objective was to determine if embalming fluids alone would significantly destroy chemical warfare agents (HD and VX) such that is would serve as a decontaminant. This would simplify the decontamination procedure and provide a cost savings to the Army. The study evaluated embalming fluids Rex 36, Hexaphene MA 64, and Polar Cavity FirmindexR 53, as potential decontamination material by assaying the extracts with time. Priority 2 - Compare DF2OO with Soapy Water/2 Percent Bleach - The objective was to determine if DF2OO was any better than plain soapy water/2 percent bleach as a decontamination treatment. This study tested chemical warfare agents (HD and VX) on pigskin obtained form a slaughterhouse using DF2OO and soapy water/2 percent bleach as decontamination treatments. Priority 3 - Effect of DF2OO on Skin Integrity under Expected Human Remains Storage Conditions - The objective was to determine if DF2OO, in the presence of various embalming fluids, caused cosmetic or structural damage to the skin under the conditions that we would expect human remains to be handled. The concern was that the DF2OO might affect the integrity of the skin resulting in severe damage from normal handling procedures or possible damaging cosmetic effects. The testing procedures were carried out using porcine skin tissue. The skin was exposed to DF2OO and various embalming fluids and stored at room temperature for approximately 1 week. Two concentration of bleach were also evaluated in the presence of the embalming fluids. No chemical warfare agents were used.