Table J-6. Persistency of Selected Liquid Chemical Agents
| WEATHER CONDITIONS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| AGENT | SUNNY, AROUND 20°C, LIGHT BREEZE | WET AND WINDY, AROUND 10°C | CALM, SUNNY, LYING SNOW, AROUND -10°C |
| MUSTARD(HD) | 2-7 DAYS | 1/2-2 DAYS | 2-8 WEEKS |
| TABUN(GA) | 1-4 DAYS | 1/2-6 HOURS | 1 DAY-2 WEEKS |
| SARIN(GB) | 1/4-4 HOURS | 1/4-1 HOUR | 1-2 DAYS |
| SOMAN(GD) | 2-1/2-5 DAYS | 3-36 HOURS | 1-6 WEEKS |
| NERVE(VX) | 3-21 DAYS | 1-12 DAYS | 1-16 WEEKS |
(6) Active decontamination is attempted only when weathering will not decontaminate the packaging material in sufficient time. Decontamination procedures can be enhanced by using heat to vaporize the chemical agent; by reaction with decontaminants; or by removing with hot soapy water.
(a) The simplest (standard) decontamination materials are water and detergents. An effective decontaminant is hot water used with the addition of soap or detergent and scrubbing. Commercial abrasive powdered cleansers are effective decontaminants for many surfaces (metal, glass, Formica), but not wood or soft plastics.
(b) Water can be used to flush chemical agents from surfaces. High-pressure application produces a better cleansing action than low pressure. If the surface has absorbed the agent, flushing will remove the surface contamination, but will not affect the agent that is absorbed.
(c) Soaking contaminated items in boiling water is an excellent decontamination method for some agents. Water alone will not be sufficient to decontaminate all chemical agents. Soaking in warm or cold water may reduce the contamination slightly; however, the hazard may not be reduced sufficiently even after prolonged soaking. If hot water is not available, or if it might cause damage to the item, other methods of decontamination should be considered, such as decontaminating solutions or a caustic solution followed by thorough rinsing.
(d) Fibrous materials such as cloth and canvas are best decontaminated by washing and scrubbing.
(e) Glass, metal, porcelain, and plastic surfaces are best decontaminated by using hot water or hot soapy water. Some toxic materials are readily removed with no more than slight abrasion or brushing.
(f) Painted, varnished, and waxed surfaces are generally smooth and nonporous. Dust and liquids are readily removed by wiping, brushing, or vacuuming. Absorbed materials are removed by hot water, detergent, or complexing agents. None of these surfaces stand up well to heavy abrasive techniques. Agents can be attacked and removed by caustics, acids, and organic chemicals. Some of these surfaces readily absorb agents, so weathering following decontamination is advisable.