RSDL decontamination of human skin contaminated with the nerve agent VX

Decontamination efficacy of soapy water and water washing following exposure of toxic chemicals on human skin

“…Delayed decontamination to 120 min showed low efficacy resulting in a significant amount of agent penetrating the skin, but notably a significant reduction of penetrated compound through the skin was observed for ethyl lactate, methyl salicylate, and tributylamine. The importance of early initiated decontamination following skin exposure to chemicals has frequently been reported [52][53][54] . It should also be noted that for methyl salicylate, a temporary increase in penetration rate was observed directly following the washing procedure and a similar effect was observed for 2-butoxyethanol but only after washing with soapy water.…”

Diagnostics and treatment of nerve agent poisoning—current status and future developments

“…In order to avoid skin penetration and thus reduce systemic toxic effects, especially by low-volatility nerve agents (e.g., VX), rapid decontamination is desirable. 36 The first step in the decontamination procedure is the rapid removal of clothing, as effectiveness of decontamination decreases with time after exposure owing to ongoing dermal absorption from the clothes of an individual. 37 Traditionally, skin decontamination is divided into dry and wet decontamination.…”

“…38 Wet skin decontamination comprises the use of copious amounts of plain water or the additional administration of additives, for example, soap or detergents, to increase the solubility of oily agents (e.g., VX). 36 Recently, the idea of combining decontamination and detoxification into a single step has been suggested: the FDA approved reactive skin decontamination lotion (RSDL), containing 2,3-butadiene monooxime (diacetylmonoxime), polyethylene glycol, and solvents, which facilitates desorption of the nerve agent from the skin and subsequent degradation via a nucleophilic reaction. 38 RSDL seems to show a superior decontamination efficacy in percutaneous VX poisoning compared with various decontamination products (e.g., fuller's earth).…”

Review of Materials and Technologies Used for Chemical and Radiological Decontamination

“…Chemical and Radiological Decontamination contaminated with, radionuclides at concentrations or activities greater than clearance levels as established by individual countries regulatory authorities, and for which no use is currently foreseen. [17] In specialized literature various researchers have contributed to the field of decontamination of hazardous materials through articles such as:  Jonathan G. Weis [22];  Dennis M. Hoffman has patented a gel composition containing oxidizing agents and thickening or gelling agents, used to detoxify chemical and biological agents by application directly to a contaminated area [23];  Hee-Man Yang has developed a magnet-sensitive and strippable polymeric coating that consists of a magnetic adsorbent with 137 Cs adsorption properties using a polyacrylamide (PAAm)/alginate(Alg)-based hydrogel with highly elastic properties for surface decontamination [24];  L. Thors has evaluated the skin decontamination procedures with reactive skin decontamination lotion (RSDL) of human epidermis exposed to low volatile organophosphorus compounds [25];  Gabriela Toader has reported a novel approach for water-based strippable coatings for surface decontamination consisting in the development of a new method of removing heavy metals from contaminated surfaces by using polyvinyl alcohol strippable coatings containing bentonite clay [26].…”