An innovative approach to the decontamination of biological and/or chemical warfare agents is proposed. This recently developed technology involved utilizing a one atmosphere uniform glow discharge plasma (OAUGDP) as the sterilant/decontaminant. Initial laboratory results indicate a greater than six log kill of bacteria in under one minute. In addition, the highly ionizing nature of the plasma discharge is expected to quickly degrade chemical agents through energetic bond breaking mechanisms. International EcoScience, Inc. (IES), supported by the University of Tennessee, proposed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the OAUGDP technique on a selected number of stimulants for the biological/chemical agents on selected porous and non-porous surfaces. Concurrently, a comprehensive plan will be prepared detailing how to (1) make the system field compatible, (2) test the effectiveness of the system against a full spectrum of military significant chemical and biological agents, and (3) optimize the system for battlefield use. The benefits for military and commercial applications are significant; they include decontamination of military devices, both USA and allies, hospital use to control virulent organisms, and sterilization of surgical instruments.
Keywords: WARFARE AGENTS BIOLOGICAL CHEMICAL DECONTAMINATION STERILIZATION PLASMA
