Portable ClO2 for Biological Warfare Decon

Authors: Alan Willey; James Tinlin; PROCTOR AND GAMBLE CO CINCINNATI OH

Abstract:

This report contains an update on the work carried out for the year 2004/2005 on the electrochemical decon system. This system produces the oxidant, chlorine dioxide(CIO2), at an electrode from an aqueous solution containing sodium hypochlorite. This activated solution can then be sprayed onto any contaminated surface. CIO2 has previously been shown to be highly effective at decontaminating mustard, VX and biological agents. Unfortunately, CIO2 is inactive towards G-agents and so additional chemistry is required to produce a universal decontamination system. Previous work has involved the addition of various nucleophiles to the decon solution in order to attack any G-agent via nucleophilic substitution. More recent work has focused on a completely new approach and has lead to the identification of a much more effective nucleophile, the hypobromite ion (BrO-), as the decon-active species for G-agents. BrO can be generated electrochemically using the current technology and, as such, does not require any fundamental changes in our approach. Furthermore, it is produced from the electrolysis of stable, inexpensive NaBr salt that can be readily incorporated into the sodium chlorite solution. This nucleophile has demonstrated high activity towards G-agent stimulants here at P&G and against G-agent at ECBC.

Limitations:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE