Enhanced Contaminated Human Remains Pouch: Initial development and preliminary performance assessments
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5055/ajdm.2011.0042Keywords:
contaminated human remains pouch, emergency response, decontamination, chemical and biological warfare agent, toxic industrial chemicalsAbstract
Objectives: To produce a proof of concept prototype Enhanced Contaminated Human Remains Pouch (ECHRP) with self-decontamination capability to provide increased protection to emergency response personnel.
Design: The key objective was to decrease the concentration of toxic chemicals through the use of an absorbent and reactive nanocellulose liner. Additionally, nanomaterials with biocidal properties were developed and tested as a “stand-alone” treatment.
Setting: Private company research laboratory.
Patients/participants: Not applicable.
Interventions: Not applicable.
Main outcome measures: Production of a functional prototype.
Results: A functional prototype capable of mitigating the threats due to sulfur mustard, Soman, and a large variety of liquid and vapor toxic industrial chemicals was produced. Stand-alone biocidal treatment efficacy was validated.
Conclusions: The ECHRP provides superior protection from both chemical and biological hazards to various emergency response personnel and human remains handlers.
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