Decontamination procedures

Name of the provider (company name or main contact name), or FIRE IN ID ? Chemical hazards emergency medical management

CCC addressed

Scope, rationale, context: general description. Precise here if this technology is currently use (eg. company name or contact info) Terrorist organizations throughout the world have used a variety of chemical, biological, and radiological weapons (collectively known as HAZMAT/weapons of mass destruction [WMD]) to further their agendas. The possibility of such incidents requires first responders to prepare for such incidents, which can affect individuals or inflict mass casualties.

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This page describes a procedure for decontaminating individuals as well as victims of a mass casualty incident. It was derived from Guidelines for Mass Casualty Decontamination during an HAZMAT/Weapon of Mass Destruction Incident: Volumes I and II, published by the U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC) and updated in August 2013, and from the Emergency Response Safety and Health Database.

TRL of the proposed solution - Innovation stage (if applicable) 1-2: Basic Technology Research

Web addresses/URL of flyers and information https://chemm.nlm.nih.gov/decontamination.htm

Expected/scheduled future developments

Recent Strategic, Tactical, and Operational Guidance
The Primary Response Incident Scene Management (PRISM) series of reports were written to provide authoritative, evidence-based guidance on mass casualty disrobe and decontamination during a chemical incident. For example, disrobing is an important decontamination method to protect people from chemical contamination. Removing clothes removes up to 90 percent of chemical contamination and wiping exposed skin with a paper towel or wipe removes another 9 percent of chemical contamination. After these steps, showering and drying off with a towel or cloth provide additional decontamination and can bring contamination levels down 99.9 percent. The PRISM guidance, based on scientific evidence gathered under a program of research sponsored by the Biomedical Advanced Research Development Agency (BARDA), is in three volumes: 1) Strategic Guidance, 2) Tactical Guidance, and 3) Operational Guidance.