Evaluation of Time Required for Water-Only Decontamination of an Oil-Based Agent

Study objective: The objective was to evaluate the time to decontaminate an area of skin exposed to an oil-based agent using a water-only decontamination protocol. Methods: A fluorescent mock chemical/biological agent was created. Each of 20 subjects had his/her forearm sprayed with the agent. Each subject placed his/her arm under a decontamination shower, which provided water at a pressure of 60–70 psi and 35°C. After 30 sec a black light was...