Performance Data

In response to a national initiative to combat the domestic chemical and biological warfare (CBW) threat, Sandia National Laboratories has developed Sandia National Laboratories Decon Formulation for mitigation and decontamination of chemical and biological (CB) agents. Sandia National Laboratories Decon Formulation can be deployed as a foam, liquid spray, or fog. EnviroFoam Technologies Is a Licensed Provider of Sandia National Laboratories' Decontamination Formulation.

EnviroFoam Technologies along with Sandia National Laboratories has developed an enhanced version of EasyDECON™ 100 decontamination solution. EasyDECON™ 200 has proven to kill or neutralize a broad range of WMD warfare agents faster than EasyDECON™ 100, yet is less irritating to mucus membranes and remains environmentally friendly.

EasyDECON™ 200 decontamination solution is now available for the U.S. Military and First Responders/Fire Fighter. The binary blend of EasyDECON™ 200 has simplified the preparation and EasyDECON™ 200 can be ready for use in minutes. EasyDECON™ 200 Liquid Binary Blend consists of a liquid Penetrator, liquid Fortifier and a liquid Fortifier booster.

This revolutionary decontaminant costs less and is faster acting against WMD agents. The following tables show the improved performance of DF-200 as compared to DF-100. The notation 'ND' refers to a concentration below detectable limits. For DF-100, performance data is given for both the optimal pH against a specific agent and for an intermediate pH (9.2) where the formulation works against all agents (but not optimally against any agent).

Traditional decontamination products are based on bleach, chlorinated solvents, or other hazardous or corrosive materials. Many work against only a limited number of either chemical or biological agents and are extremely caustic. EasyDECON™ 200 will not damage or stain most fabrics and is safe to use on most surfaces. EasyDECON™ 200 solution is an environmentally-friendly blend that includes ordinary household substances -- such as those found in hair conditioner and laundry detergent. When used as directed, EasyDECON™ 200 solution has proven to neutralize a broad range of contaminants, while at the same time is non-corrosive and adds no environmental load to the appropriate clean-up operation. Once applied, the solution draws the contamination into the liquid where the hazard is chemically altered and thoroughly oxidized, rendering the contamination harmless.

Performance Against Chemical Warfare Agents

In Sandia National Laboratories tests of Sandia National Laboratories Decon Formulation performance against chemical warfare (CW) agent simulants, half-lives for the decontamination of the simulants were on the order of minutes. Also, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies demonstrated that destruction of the CW simulants occurred without formation of potentially toxic byproducts. The simulant test results were confirmed by a facility licensed to perform live CW agent testing. The formulation was deployed as foam, and the half-lives for the decontamination of the live CW agents were on the order of 2 to 15 minutes.

Live agent tests on three chemical agents (soman, VX, and mustard) and two biological agents (anthrax spores and Yersinia pestis) were conducted at the Illinois Institute of Technology Research Institute (IITRI) in Chicago, Illinois. The results of kinetic testing of DF-200 on the chemical agents is shown in Figure 5.

Detection of very low levels of GD in the 15 and 60 minute samples was determined to be from carryover in the gas chromatography columns and not from unreacted agent.

Results of tests utilizing DF-200 against anthrax spores is shown in Figures 6 and 7 and against Yersinia pestis (i.e., the plague bacterium) are shown in Figure 8 (NG refers to 'no growth'). The detection limit for these tests were 10 CFU/ml. Note that the 'error bars' in the '% Reduction' column takes into account this detection limit.

The petri dishes used for cell growth on each of these tests were saved for 21 days following the tests to verify that DF-200 actually killed the spores rather than just inhibited their growth. No growth on any of the petri dishes was observed after the 21 day period.

Performance on Substrates

In a test of the effectiveness of the Sandia National Laboratories Decon Formulation on decontaminating a variety of substrate surfaces and orientations, the foam was deployed on seven different substrates. In these tests, the G-agent simulant (diphenyl chlorophosphate) was used. After exposure to the foam for 15 minutes, less than 5 mg of unreacted simulant on each substrate remained.

EnviroFoam Technologies, in conjunction with Sandia National Lab and other accredited test facilities has test data highlighting the biological kill capability of EasyDECON solution.

Other Contaminates

There are several chemical and biological agents that can be reproduced and disseminated. The cost and availability of these agents make them difficult but not impossible to obtain. Some of these contaminants are fast acting and can cause widespread illness or death. EasyDECON™ 200 was designed to counter these contaminants as well. In several comparison tests using other decontaminants and EasyDECON, EasyDECON™ 200 proved extremely effective.

Kinetic testing and contact hazard tests have been conducted at ECBC on live chemical agents. Results from the reaction rate tests (kinetic tests) are compared to DS2. DS2 is the current decontaminant used by the military. DS2 is extremely caustic and hazardous to the environment.

EasyDECON™ 200 solution is designed to eradicate a broad range of contaminants. Although it is environmentally friendly, all warnings and cautions must be followed. When used as directed, EasyDECON solution will neutralize contaminants rendering them harmless.