SBIR-STTR Award

Versar proposes to examine the effectiveness of commercially available clays suspended in liquid media to remove organophosphorus Poisson mustard proteinaceous material and polynucleotides from contaminated objects. This effectiveness will be evaluated by measuring and comparing the components of the partitioning/sorptive process that are responsible for removal of the agents. Phase I experiments will test: (a) sorption of chemical/biological agents from liquid medium by sorbing (b) sorption of chemical agent by perameable surface material in the presence of liquid medium and (c) retention of chemical/biological agent by sorbent. Clay-containing formulations for decontamination unlike formulations which contain strong oxidizers or base should not damage TE surfaces of interior construction materials or state-of-the-art electronic equipment. Furthermore removal of agents by sorption with clay is rapids e.g., Adsorption of Soman by clay suspended in hexane is about 90% complete within 30 sec. The results obtained from Phase I will enable the air force to decide which combinations of sorbent and suspending liquid to develop for decontaminating the interior of a deep base.