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(MCD) Guidelines

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<strong>Guidelines</strong> for Military Mass Casualty Decontamination Operations<br />

During a Domestic HAZMAT/Weapon of Mass Destruction Incident<br />

Decontamination<br />

Solution<br />

M291 Skin<br />

Decontamination Kit<br />

Description<br />

Contains a finger-sized pad that is saturated with a carbon-based adsorbent<br />

and ion exchange resins. This powder is highly effective for skin decontamination,<br />

is non-toxic and non-irritating, and can be applied directly to the face<br />

and around wounds. The black powder also shows the areas that have and<br />

have not been decontaminated because of the resulting color contrast. The<br />

military typically uses this kit in the immediate/emergency decontamination<br />

process, but water has been shown to be more effective for some<br />

contamination. 13,15<br />

Aqueous Film Do not use this product in any casualty decontamination situation because it<br />

Forming Foam is known to be a skin and eye irritant. 49<br />

Sanitizing and/or Can be used to begin to remove liquid or solid contamination from a<br />

Baby Wipes casualty’s skin. This applies particularly during cold weather conditions and<br />

after gross decontamination while waiting for the mass decontamination line<br />

to be established. The sanitizing wipe could be effective against biological<br />

agents.<br />

Reactive Skin A commercially available product that can be used to aid in decontamination<br />

Decontamination operations. Reactive skin decontamination lotion is highly effective against<br />

Lotion<br />

chemical agents, and can neutralize the effects of many agents. 13 However, it<br />

is more expensive than soap and can be difficult to distribute to a large number<br />

of casualties. To use, open the individually-wrapped packet and blot the<br />

lotion onto visible spot contamination to begin neutralization. The reactive<br />

skin decontamination lotion can be used for the decontamination of intact skin<br />

around wounds, but is not approved for the decontamination of wounds. 13<br />

Bleach Can irritate the skin and open pores, so it is generally not recommended for<br />

use as a casualty decontaminant. If necessary, only a 0.5% solution should<br />

be used. 15 It is effective for the removal of chemical and biological agents, but<br />

not for radioactive agents. 13 Bleach reacts with a riot control agent to form a<br />

strong irritant, 50 so do not decontaminate riot control agents with any form of<br />

bleach. 51 The nerve agent Tabun (GA) may react to form cyanogen chloride<br />

(CK) in a bleach slurry. 52 A bleach and water solution may be used in the<br />

technical decontamination line for cleaning equipment and PPE. Full strength<br />

(5%) bleach can be used to decontaminate equipment such as litters or<br />

shears, but the equipment should always be rinsed thoroughly before it is<br />

reused. Bleach requires sufficient contact time with agent for complete<br />

neutralization, which depends on the agent, ambient temperature, and<br />

concentration of the bleach. Ensure time has elapsed so that complete<br />

neutralization occurs. 13<br />

Peroxides Are strong oxidizers and are highly reactive. While they may be effective at<br />

neutralizing contaminants, the break-down reaction can be violent and<br />

produce heat. The use of peroxide-containing solutions for casualty decontamination<br />

is not recommended, but it is recommended for the decontamination<br />

of equipment, facilities (furniture, walls, and doors, etc), and terrain. 13<br />

Caution is recommended if peroxide-based solutions are used during the<br />

technical decontamination process.<br />

30 Original

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