Chemical Decontamination

[Projo]

One of the things we carry in the field is a bag of active charcoal/carbon. It makes for a great immediate decon but can irritate the skin and should not be used around the eyes or mouth (just like the M291). It is messy so it's not something you want out of a sealed container. If flowing water is not available and a rapid means is need to remove chemicals from the skin, this gives an option.

We use calgon carbon powder also used in Zorflex FM50K/FM10 chemical protective garnments.


http://www.calgoncarbon.com/solutions/pdf/ZorflexVB_VB-Plus-CalgonCarbonTDS.pdf

Also used in Fibertecht

http://www.tswg.gov/subgroups/cbrnc/consequence-management/fibertecht.html?KeepThis=true&TB_iframe=true&height=500&width=600

An alternative is Z-tox flowable charcoal.
http://www.pestrong.com/298-d-tox-flowable-charcoal-decontamination-agent-25-gal.html

[Projo]

Nonaqueous (without water) methods provide a means for contaminant removal.

(a) The use of dry, gelled, or powdered decontaminating materials to absorb chemical agents is appropriate (if their use is expedient). Commonly available absorbents include dirt, flour, baking powder, sawdust, charcoal, ashes, activated carbon, alumina, silica gels, and clay materials. Although these absorbents may be an expedient means of decontamination, their effectiveness has not been determined. In general, absorbents only remove contamination, they do not always neutralize the agent.

(b) The DOD uses the M291 and M295 SDKs, which employ a charcoal‑based resin absorbent and are available for commercial purchase. However, while these kits are effective in removing spots of liquid chemical-agent contamination, they may not be suitable for treating mass casualties. This is due to their potentially limited availability and the relatively high labor requirements because of the size of the decontamination pad and the time it takes to clean large amounts of contamination from the victim.

Some CBRNE/WMD Instructions.

MULTISERVICE TACTICS, TECHNIQUES, AND PROCEDURES FOR DECONTAMINATION
http://www.fas.org/irp/doddir/army/fm3-11-5.pdf

JP 3-11, Operations in Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Environments 2008
http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/new_pubs/jp3_11.pdf

JP 3-05 Special Operations
http://www.fas.org/irp/doddir/dod/jp3-05.pdf

NBC Links page.
http://www.nbc-links.com/

[MacAttack]

Exactly what chemicals are you expecting to get on you that will not kill you that day?
And how are they getting on you in your everyday life that you need a huge bag of charcoal on you all the time?

If its bad enough that you need to decontaminate then don't you also need the full face mask and filters if not a whole suit?

[Projo]

My plan is avoidance but that doesn't always work. I've used it to decon mustard agent off skin ( a lot of blister agents will make you miserable but not kill you through skin absorbtion) and there are hundreds of other chemicals that might not kill you, but effect your skin . This is one of my jobs in the Military (DPOS) and I have read several times a sophisticated water decon system is needed. I just wanted to throw up something we carry in the field and can work in an emergency when water isn't readily available.

A thread I made on buried chemical munitions.
http://zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=93459