Evaluation of the effects of hypochlorite solutions in the decontamination of wounds exposed to either vx or sulfur mustard

Technical Report · Thu May 13 00:00:00 EDT 1993

OSTI ID:7043594

Hobson, D W; Snider, T H; Korte, D W

The decontamination safety and efficacy of aqueous solutions of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and calcium hypochlorite Ca(OC1)2 against sulfur mustard (HD) and the organophosphonate O-ethyl S-(2-Diisopropylnmino)-ethyl methylphosphonothioate (VX) were examined in the New Zealand White rabbit. Tests on shaved rabbit dorsa indicated moderate irritation due to either NaOC1 or Ca(OCI)2 at 5 percent but no appreciable irritation at 0.5 percent concentrations. Against VX applied topically on shaved rabbit dorsa, significant protection, as indicated by higher 24-hr median lethality doses, was afforded by 0.5 and 5.0 percent NaOC1. However, when VX was applied either directly into a dermal wound or onto a swatch of fabric sampled from battle dress uniform (BDU) and subsequently placed into a wound, only 5.0 percent NaOC1 offered significant protection. Against HD, 0.5 and 5.0 percent NaOC1 were equally effective decontaminants as indexed by dermal lesion areas resulting from 1- to 60-min exposures. Neither NaOC1 solution demonstrated sustained efficacy against HD applied on fabric and placed in wounds.

• Research Organization: Battelle Memorial Inst., Columbus, OH (United States)
• OSTI ID: 7043594
• Report Number(s): AD-P-008834/4/XAB; CNN: DAMD17-89-C-9050
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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