Development of New Decon Green (registered trademark): A How-To Guide for the Rapid Decontamination of CARC Paint

摘要

This study presents the further refinement of the original Decon Green(Registered) 'Classic' to the New Decon Green(Registereed) formula. Four main problems were identified with the 'Classic': (1) limited capacity for non- traditional agents; (2) long-term stability; (3) homogeneity; and (4) material compatibility, especially with paints, M40 Mask lenses, and HMMWV light housings. These problems have been solved, but at the expense of decon efficacy of Chem Agents (not Bio agents) for soft/sorptive materials such as Chemical Agent Resistant Coating (CARC) paint. The Bio efficacy of New Decon Green(Registered) remains comparable to Decon Green(Registered) Classic as Bio agents do not penetrate/soften materials. Moreover, Chem efficacy still remains better than other peroxide-based decontaminants such as DF200, especially for paint-penetrating HD. Finally, a simple model is presented to extrapolate measured contact hazard levels to potential vapor hazard levels. Off-gassing data for HD and GD on CARC paint is also discussed along with the subjective nature of this test, its ambiguous results, and the problem of relating the results to a true, accurate vapor hazard level. Currently, contact hazard and/or total extraction (residual hazard) remain the only unambiguous tests to verify decontamination efficacy on surfaces such as CARC where substantial agent remains following decontamination.