Medical Aspects of Chemical Warfare (2008) - The Black Vault

Medical Aspects of Chemical Warfareprotectant must neutralize CWAs including HD, GD,and VX; (2) the barrier properties of SERPACWA mustbe maintained or increased; (3) protection against HDand GD vapor must be increased; and (4) the cosmeticcharacteristics (eg, odor, texture) of SERPACWA mustbe maintained. 16 Additionally, aTSP could not degradea soldier’s performance.Using the two components of SERPACWA, perfluorinatedpolyether oil and polytetrafluoroethylenesolid, as a base cream, USAMRICD scientistsevaluated over 150 different active components.Classes of compounds tested included organic polymers,enzymes, hybrid organic-inorganic materials,polyox ometalates, inorganic composites, inorganicoxides, metal alloys, and small organic molecules.These compounds were incorporated into the basecream to produce over 500 candidate formulations(see Table 16-1). 17Two candidate formulations were selected fortransition to advanced development. The lead aTSPformulation, a mixture of organic polymers, surfactants,and the base cream of perfluorinated-polyetheroil and polytetrafluoroethylene solid, was ready foradvanced development in 2004. Although it is not currentlyfunded for further research, this new productis expected to dramatically improve protection fromCWAs when it is fielded, and it may reduce the needfor a full protective ensemble.METHODS OF DECONTAMINATIONThe first and most effective method of decontaminationis timely physical removal of the chemical agent.To remove the substance by the best means availableis the primary objective of effective decontamination.Chemical destruction (detoxification) of the offendingagent is a desirable secondary objective (but is not alwayspossible). Physical removal is imperative becausenone of the chemical means of destroying these agentswork instantaneously.The US military has actively explored personnel andTABLE 16-1Patents covering work on active topical skin protectant at the US Army MedicalResearch Institute of Chemical DefenseName Authors US Patent No. DateActive Topical Skin Protectants ContainingOPAA Enzymes and CLECsActive Topical Skin Protectants ContainingS-330Active Topical Skin Protectants Using PolyoxometalatesActive Topical Skin Protectants UsingPolyoxometalates and/or Coinage MetalComplexesBraue EH Jr et al (Hobson, Govardhan,and Khalaf)Braue EH Jr et al (Mershon, Braue CR, andWay)Braue EH Jr et al (Hobson, White, andBley)Braue EH Jr et al (Hobson, Hill, Boring,and Rhule)6,410,603 6/25/20026,472,438 10/29/20026,420,434 7/16/20026,414,039 7/2/2002Active Topical Skin Protectants Braue EH Jr, Hobson ST, Lehnert EK 6,472,437 10/27/2002Active Topical Skin Protectants Using PolymerHobson ST, Braue EH. Jr, Back D 6,437,005 8/20/2002Coated Metal AlloysActive Topical Skin Protectants Using ReactiveHobson ST et al (Braue, Lehnert,6,403,653 6/11/2002NanoparticlesKlabunde, Koper, and Decker)Active Topical Skin Protectants UsingOrganic Inorganic PolysilsesquioxaneMaterialsHobson ST, Braue EH Jr, Shea K 6,417,236 7/9/2002Active Topical Skin Protectants Using Combinationsof Reactive Nanoparticles andPolyoxometalates or Metal SaltsPolyoxometalate Materials, Metal-ContainingMaterials, and Methods of Use ThereofHobson ST et al (Braue, Lehnert,Klabunde, Decker, Hill, Rhule, Boring,and Koper)Hill CL et al (Xu, Rhule, Boring, Hobson,and Braue)6,410,603 6/25/20026,723,349 4/20/2004532