Abstract: A decontamination composition and method for detoxifying chemical warfare agents on surfaces, wherein said composition comprises mixtures of household cleaners and chemicals such as ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, isopropyl alcohol, baking soda and washing soda.

Abstract: This invention provides safe, non-infectious chimeras that include the nucleic acid signature of most bacterial and viral biological threat agents. These chimeras mimic properties of threat agents and are useful as simulants to develop, evaluate, test, and train on nucleic acid-based biodetectors and diagnostic products of interest in biodefense, without the need for accessing or producing virulent agents.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for chemical warfare agent detection training are provided. More particularly, methods and apparatus are provided to simulate the detection of low volatility chemical warfare agents by simulating the use of currently fielded U.S. Army detection kits without exposure to hazardous agents. A simulant is disposed in a sample heating assembly. The sample heating assembly is placed over a detection window of a detector, and the simulant is heated in order to make a simulated detection.

Abstract: A neck dam collar is formed of a substantially vapor-proof material. Resiliently compressible portions of the collar either act as a cushion, a spacer, or both between a neck dam and the wearer's neck. In one embodiment, the collar is a discrete, cylindrical tube of flexible, elastic material. In another embodiment, a protective garment includes the neck dam collar.

Abstract: A method for detecting ribosome inactivating protein (RIP) activity in a sample is provided that involves contacting a sample that contains an RIP with an inventive substrate that is depurinated to form product. The product is hybridized to a template and cleaved by an apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease such that releasing the blocked 3? end only in a sample that contains RIP activity. The 5? end of the product serves as a primer for extension by a polymerase reaction. The newly synthesized strand complementary to the template is detected by RT-PCR processes. A kit is provided suitable for field or laboratory use.

Abstract: An orifice test calibration device tests the functionality of protective mask testers. The orifice test calibration device has a semi-rigid tubular channel with one end for sealing the flow outlet port of the protective mask tester and a second end for sealing the vacuum inlet port of the protective mask tester. The device also includes a sealable opening within the tubular channel and an insertable orifice plug having a set diameter for insertion into the sealable opening in order to calibrate the protective mask tester.

Abstract: An analog Mueller matrix data acquisition system (AMMS) acquiring middle-infrared Mueller (M) matrices of backscattering surfaces. The M-elements are measured by means of an active photopolarimetric sensor. The AMMS records nine M-elements simultaneously in groups of four modulo 2 incident continuous-wave CO2 laser beams—one incident beam is tuned to a fundamental molecular absorption cross-section by the aerosol of detection interest (analytic wavelength ?a) while the other beam is detuned off that resonance band (reference wavelength ?r) and in the closest vicinity to ?a. Accordingly, those ?M elements exhibiting susceptible behavior to the aerosol analyte, driven on-then-off its molecular vibrational resonance band, cues an identification event thus providing detection decision information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a near-universal non-corrosive, non-toxic, environmentally safe and user friendly decontaminant capable of detoxifying organophosphorus (OP)-based G-type, V-type neurotoxic chemical warfare, sulfur-mustard, and related OP based hazardous industrial materials in a dry powder form. The decontaminant contains OPH enzyme, OPAA enzyme, DFPase enzyme, dehalogenase enzyme, quaternary ammonium salt, a pH control reagent, a fire-fighting agent, and a foaming agent. The decontaminant is mixed with available water for use.

Abstract: The Chemical-agent Access and Neutralization System (CANS) of the present invention is a small, portable, single-use, disposable chemical treatment apparatus that is used to access and treat Chemical Agent Identification Set (CAIS) ampoules, bottles and/or containers that contain vesicant agents, or chemical warfare agents such as mustard or Lewisite. The apparatus and method of use of the present invention provides a resultant treatment residue that remains totally contained in the CANS treatment container and is safe for disposal. The CANS treatment container can be over packed into a Department of Transportation (DOT) certified shipping container, and shipped to permitted hazardous waste management facilities for ultimate disposal.

Abstract: A process for removing epoxides from a process stream over a wide range of temperature and relative humidity, comprising the step of contacting the process stream with a filtration media comprising an acid form of a mesoporous zeolite produced from pentasil zeolite treated with a caustic agent, for a sufficient time to remove the epoxides therefrom.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for catalytic buffering of enzymatic decontamination reactions are provided. Enzymatic decontamination of organophosphorus or organohalogen compounds generates acidic reaction products that precipitously reduce the pH of the medium, thus impairing activity of the decontaminating enzymes. Catalytic buffering, that is, the use of an enzyme to produce ions from a substrate to modulate pH, can provide effective pH control. The compositions provided here include urease enzymes with mutations in the alpha subunit of the urease holoenzyme. These mutant ureases maintain urease activity in the presence of fluoride ions, which are organophosphorus and organohalogen hydrolysis products that otherwise inhibit urease activity. The fluoride-resistant ureases act as effective catalytic buffers during organofluorophosphorus hydrolysis reactions. Methods for using the fluoride-resistant ureases in enzymatic decontamination are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for redirecting a flow of aerosol-containing air into, for example, an aerosol sampler. The apparatus comprising a device for redirecting a portion of the flow of aerosol-containing air into an air intake disposed within the flow of aerosol-containing air, preferably using eduction caused by a pressurized gas stream. A sampling tube having an opening for receiving aerosol-containing air is disposed within the air intake to collect the redirected portion of aerosol containing air.

Abstract: A system and method for providing hazardous incident decision support and training includes a user interface component that receives situation definition data, a hazard assessment component and a decision aid. Decision support advice and decision prompts are presented by the system in response to the situation definition interface and hazard assessment. The hazard assessment and expert advice of the system are updated with elapsed time. In another embodiment of the present invention, graphical user interfaces are provided to display a set of menu entries wherein individual menu entries represent a hazardous incident characteristic. The user may select one or more of the menu entries to create a situation definition. Such definitions may be used, for example, to identify a hazardous agent based upon user-inputted signs and symptoms data.

Abstract: A composition for decontaminating a highly toxic material, wherein the composition includes a modified reactive sorbent comprising a reactive sorbent in combination with a sufficient amount of an organic solvent to saturate the pores of the reactive sorbent to yield a non-slurry, free flowing mixture. The present invention is further directed to a method for making such compositions and method for decontaminating surfaces using such compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and assays for determining the presence of staphylococcal enterotoxin A in a sample through detection of a nucleic acid encoding staphylococcal enterotoxin A.

Abstract: The various embodiments provide method of using hair follicle bulbs as biodosimeters for the detection of chemical exposure. The methods described herein utilize intact, plucked hair follicle bulbs and can be used to monitor real-time or near real-time changes in the levels of specific follicular bulb biomarkers to determine exposure to toxicants. By utilizing the living, responsive cells in the plucked hair follicle bulb in an immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis, the various embodiments mitigate the risks of false positives associated with segmental hair analysis and avoid the more invasive collection required for serum and urinalysis.

Abstract: The various embodiments provide method of using hair follicle bulbs as biodosimeters for the detection of chemical exposure. The methods described herein utilize intact, plucked hair follicle bulbs and can be used to monitor real-time or near real-time changes in the levels of specific follicular bulb biomarkers to determine exposure to toxicants. By utilizing the living, responsive cells in the plucked hair follicle bulb in an immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis, the various embodiments mitigate the risks of false positives associated with segmental hair analysis and avoid the more invasive collection required for serum and urinalysis.

Abstract: A quantitative fit test (QNFT) system and method for assessing the biological fit factor (FF) performance of respiratory protective devices. The biological QNFT system includes the following three main elements: an aerosol generation system; an exposure chamber; and an aerosol sampling subsystem. The aerosol sampling subsystem includes an aerosol spectrometer that counts particles in discrete size units ranging from 0.5 to 20 micrometers (?m) making it possible to obtain several size-specific FF measurements from a single respirator fit test. A virtual impactor in the aerosol generation system increases the number of challenge particles in the primary target size of interest (1 to 5 ?m) and increases the sensitivity of the method allowing FF values of up to one million to be measured without the need to correct for in-mask background particles.

Abstract: An adapter to connect a portable testing device known as the Joint Service Mask Leakage Tester (JSMLT) to the outlet valve body of a protective mask such as the M45 mask for testing and validating the operation of the outlet valve of the mask prior to use.

Abstract: An adapter for testing an outlet valve of a protective mask with a testing apparatus includes portions which oppose the valve and are configured to connect the valve to the tester in sufficient isolation for testing purposes. In one implementation, the valve has first and second notches configured to engage corresponding non-uniform geometries in an interference fit. In still further implementations, the adapter comprises an overmold with a resiliently compressible surface conformed to mate with the outlet valve and an insert at least partly encapsulated by the overmold and providing support to the resilient compression of the surface of the overmold. In use, the portions of the adapter engaging corresponding locations on the valve to be tested form an interference fit.