Vaporous Hydrogen Peroxide (VHP) Decontamination of a C-141B Starlifter Aircraft: Validation of VHP and Modified VHP (mVHP) Fumigation Decontamination Process via VHP-Sensor, Biological Indicator, and HD Simulant in a Large-Scale Environment

The chemical and biological weapons decontamination of a C-141B aircraft carried out during Oct-Nov 2004 is part of a Congressionally funded joint venture between U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center and Strategic Technology Enterprises (STE)/STERIS Corporation, Inc., (Mentor, OH) to develo...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Brickhouse, Mark D, Turetsky, Abe, MacIver, Brian K, Pfarr, Jerry W, Lalain /Iain /McVey, Theresa A, Alter, Wendlyn, Lloyd, John P, Fonti, Jr, Mark A
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
AMMONIA
BI(BIOLOGICAL INDICATOR)
BIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION
C-141B AIRCRAFT
CBW(CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WARFARE)
CHEMICAL AGENT SIMULANTS
Chemical, Biological and Radiological Warfare
COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS
CW(CHEMICAL WARFARE)
DECONTAMINATION
FUMIGATION
GEOBACILLUS STEAROTHERMOPHILUS
HD AGENT
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
MILITARY AIRCRAFT
PEST CONTROL
Transport Aircraft
VALIDATION
VAPORS
VHP(VAPOROUS HYDROGEN PEROXIDE)
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Summary:The chemical and biological weapons decontamination of a C-141B aircraft carried out during Oct-Nov 2004 is part of a Congressionally funded joint venture between U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center and Strategic Technology Enterprises (STE)/STERIS Corporation, Inc., (Mentor, OH) to develop and demonstrate the suitability of vaporous hydrogen peroxide/modified vaporous hydrogen peroxide (VHP/mVHP) technology. The purpose of this exercise was to ensure that the vapor could be evenly distributed within the aircraft's cargo hold and its concentration sustained during four runs of 5-24 hr. For the biological decontamination tests, commercial Geobacillus stearothermophilus biological indicator (BI) strips and coupons of three aircraft related surface materials contaminated with the same type of spores were strategically placed within the aircraft prior to exposure to the VHP/mVHP fumigant. Coupons of two surface materials contaminated with distilled mustard were used in the chemical warfare (CW) decontamination tests. Over 99.5% kill (3 of 600), of all commercial BIs was achieved for the four decontamination runs. The three positive BIs are exclusively associated with the 5-hr VHP run. In the 5- and 10.5-hr fumigant exposures, residual chemical and biological warfare (CBW) agent simulant levels were below the worker's threshold limits set by the Joint Portable Interior Decontamination System's Operational Requirements Document draft for the corresponding agents. The resulting data has clearly established the suitability of the VHP/mVHP technology for the decontamination of aircraft interiors contaminated with CBW threat materials. Prepared in cooperation with 20th Support Command (CBRNE). Prepared in collaboration with Steris Corporation, Mentor, OH. The original document contains color images.