U.S. Army Central Command selects chem-bio decontamination formulation developed at Sandia
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M, September 30, 2002 -- A decontamination formulation originally developed at Sandia National Laboratories that renders harmless chemical and biological warfare agents has been selected for use by the U.S. Army Central Command (CENTCOM). CENTCOM placed an order with EnviroFoam™ Technologies last week for several thousand gallons of the company's EasyDECON™ solution. EnviroFoam licensed the formulation for EasyDECON from Sandia in August 2000. (See Sandia Press Release.)
The formulation neutralizes both chemical and biological agents and is nontoxic, noncorrosive, and environmentally friendly. The formulation can be deployed as a foam, mist, fog, spray, or liquid. (For more information, see Sandia Press Release.)
The order to EnviroFoam signals a decision to replace DS2, CENTCOM's previous decontamination formula, for use "where the real potential exists for biological and chemical warfare," says EnviroFoam President and CEO Peter Beucher. The Sandia formulation, on which EasyDECON is based, has proven effective against both biological and chemical agents, can be applied with current military hardware, has shown no collateral damage, and creates an effluent capable of being washed down the drain, he says.
"Our entire team is extremely proud of the vote of confidence demonstrated with this first major acquisition of what we anticipate to be the next generation of decon materials," says Beucher. "We worked very hard, participated in so many demonstrations, and chemical conferences. It is rewarding to realize that American soldiers will finally have the protection afforded by this novel technology."
EnviroFoam was one of two U.S. companies granted nonexclusive licenses to the decontamination formulation, which has been under development at Sandia, a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory, since 1997.
Sandia is a multiprogram DOE laboratory operated by a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corp. With main facilities in Albuquerque and Livermore, Calif., Sandia has R&D programs in national security, energy and environmental technologies, and economic competitiveness.
Sandia media contact:
John German, 505-844-5199, jdgerma@sandia.gov
EnviroFoam media contact:
Kevin Irvine, 256-319-0137, kevin.irvine@westwindcorp.com
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