Decontamination And Detoxification Of Toxic Chemical Warfare Agents Using Polyurethane Sponges

Organophosphorus (OP) nerve agents are some of the most potent toxic agents conceived by mankind, are specific inhibitors of cholinesterase (ChE), and therefore are a serious threat to military and civilian personnel. OP nerve agents can exist as a liquid and contaminate skin, penetrate, resulting in deleterious systemic effects including a cholinergic crisis. Another serious problem that may be encountered while caring for personnel contaminated with organophosphorus chemical warfare nerve agents is the possibility that there will be cross-contamination to the medical personnel. In addition, during combat or terrorist acts, individuals might be exposed to chemical toxins before they don their protective gear. We have been developing enzyme immobilized polyurethane foams that can effectively decontaminate the skin and other such exposed surfaces of the organophosphorus toxins in a wide variety of environmental conditions. With additives, the sponges provided increased protection for guinea pigs exposed to neat soman and VX compared to currently fielded kits, and reduces methylene blue uptake in mustard-exposed animals. Sponges have several criteria to meet to be effective personal decontaminants and detoxifiers of chemical warfare agents. The sponges must be lightweight for individual use, yet be shelf-stable under environmental conditions found in the field. In this manner, the sponges would provide immediate use for either the individual or a buddy in a field.

Based on results previously restricted for military use and inaccessible to the public, this practice-oriented handbook introduces the use of enzymes for fast and efficient decontamination of B/C weapons in various scenarios, including terrorist attacks. It draws on the internationally recognized technological leadership of the German armed forces, whose anti-B/C technology is among the most advanced worldwide. The text is rounded off with a look at future perspectives.

This groundbreaking book covers every aspect of deadly toxic chemicals used as weapons of mass destruction and employed in conflicts, warfare and terrorism. Including findings from experimental as well as clinical studies, this one-of-a-kind handbook is prepared in a very user- friendly format that can easily be followed by students, teachers and researchers, as well as lay people. Stand-alone chapters on individual chemicals and major topics allow the reader to easily access required information without searching through the entire book.This is the first book that offers in-depth coverage of individual toxicants, target organ toxicity, major incidents, toxic effects in humans, animals and wildlife, biosensors, biomarkers, on-site and laboratory analytical methods, decontamination and detoxification procedures, prophylactic, therapeutic and countermeasures, and the role of homeland security. Presents a comprehensive look at all aspects of chemical warfare toxicology in one reference work. This saves researchers time in quickly accessing the very latest definitive details on toxicity of specific agents used in chemical warfare as opposed to searching through thousands of journal articles. Will include the most agent-specific information on the market Includes detailed coverage of the most exhaustive list of agents possibly used as chemical warfare agents in one source. Section 4: Agents That Can Be Used as Weapons of Mass Destruction ? 25 chapters long. Other books on the market only include a sample selection of specific agents. Offering all possible agents detailed under one cover makes this appealing to a wider audience and saves researchers time The Forward will be written by Dr. Tetsuo Satoh, Chiba University, Japan. He is one of the most respected, recognizable authorities on chemical warfare agents which will set the authoritative tone for the book Covers risk to humans, animals and the environment equally. Researchers involved in assessing the risks involved with a possible chemical warfare attack and those who are developing response plans to such attacks must look at not only the risks to human health but to our wildlife and environment as well. The holistic approach taken in this book ensures that the researchers have ready access to the details no matter which aspect of the effects of CWA's they might be concerned with

This book contains unique contributions in the area of defense against chemical terrorism by experts from former Warsaw Pact countries. Decontamination and medical treatment are important aspects of protection from effects after intoxications with chemical agents. The book covers topics including new approaches in pre-treatment and prophylaxis of nerve agent intoxication, and diagnosis of exposure to chemical agents.

The primary objective of this research program is the development of a versatile enzyme-based system that is fully optimized for the decontamination, destruction, and detection of know chemical warfare agents. The catalytic properties of the wild-type enzyme phosphotriesterase are being enhanced and broadened for the hydrolic detoxification of the 0- and V-type nerve agents and their associated analogs. This goal is being achieved by the reorganization of the active site of the wild type phosphotriesterase through combinatorial and direct-mutagensis to create libraries of mutant enzymes with altered catalytic properties. High throughput screening methods have been developed to permit the isolation of those mutant proteins with improved catalytic properties toward the hydrolysis of all biologically toxic stereoisomers of the 0-and V-type agents. The individual amino acid residues within the active site that dictate the substrate and catalytic efficiency of this enzyme have been identified and characterized. Two to 10- fold improvements with single site- mutant proteins have been obtained in the turnover numbers for a subset of soman and sarin analogs. Fully optimized mutants will be created and identified by enhanced combinatorial mutagensis methods.

This volume describes the latest developments in protective clothing against nearly any kind of threat for both military and civilians. It deals with protection through the use of nanotechnology, interactive clothing and biotechnological processes. Factors such as comfort and ballistics are also considered in the book, and several practical examples are discussed. All papers are written by leading experts in their respective fields. Professionals and students alike will benefit from the knowledge and expertise imparted in these outstanding contributions.

This is the first book on toxic chemicals that puts a special focus on chemical weapons and bioterrorism. Leading experts provide up-to-date pharmacological and toxicological information on chemical warfare agents, industrial chemicals, environmental toxins, metalloid and an array of miscellaneous agents including their mechanism of toxicity. Also discussed are a number of antidotes, which are being used, or currently being investigated, for the treatments of the common toxicants.

Many books cover the emergency response to chemical terrorism. But what happens after the initial crisis? Chlorine, phosgene, and mustard were used in World War I. Only years after the war were the long-term effects of these gases realized. In the 60s, 70s, and 80s, these and other agents were used in localized wars. Chemical Warfare Agents: Tox

The synergy between synthetic biology and biocatalysis is emerging as an important trend for future sustainable processes. This book reviews all modern and novel techniques successfully implemented in biocatalysis, in an effort to provide better performing enzymatic systems and novel biosynthetic routes to (non-)natural products. This includes the use of molecular techniques in protein design and engineering, construction of artificial metabolic pathways, and application of computational methods for enzyme discovery and design. Stress is placed on current ‘hot’ topics in biocatalysis, where recent advances in research are defining new grounds in enzyme-catalyzed processes. With contributions from leading academics around the world, this book makes a ground-breaking contribution to this progressive field and is essential reading for graduates and researchers investigating (bio)catalysis, enzyme engineering, chemical biology, and synthetic biology.