Volume 4, Number 4 June 2010
The quarterly update of U.S. EPA's Homeland Security
Technology Testing ft Evaluation Program (TTEP)
Decontamination of Galvanized Metal Contaminated with Chemical Agents
NHSRC has recently completed an evaluation of
chlorine dioxide (C1O2) fumigant for decontaminating
galvanized metal surfaces contaminated with sulfur mustard
(HD) and thickened HD (THD). HD is a chemical warfare
agent that is persistent in the environment and on building
materials. Because HD is one of the more persistent
chemical agents, an indoor or outdoor release of HD may
require surface decontamination. The efficacy of C1O2
fumigation for neutralizing HD and THD was determined
by spiking neat HD and THD onto galvanized metal
coupons (see top picture) and exposing the coupons to C1O2
fumigation for various contact times (1, 2, or 7 hours) at
specified environmental conditions.
Following exposure, HD or THD was extracted from
the coupons and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass
spectrometry to quantitatively determine the concentration
of HD and THD remaining. In addition, potential by-
products were identified by comparing mass spectra for
unknown peaks in the chromatograms to spectral libraries.
Following testing, the metal coupons were inspected for
any damage caused by the fumigant. The decontamination
chambers used for test and control substances are shown
in the bottom pictures to the right. The test chamber
was fabricated from black acrylic because C1O2 is light
sensitive. Ports were added to the chamber to accommodate
connection to the C1O2 generator, a humidification source,
and midget impingers for air sampling within the chamber
during decontamination. The report for this evaluation is
undergoing review and is expected to be released in the
summer of 2010. For more information on this evaluation,
contact Lukas Oudejans at oudejans.lukas@epa.gov or
919-541-2973.
Galvanized metal test coupons being prepared for testing
Decontamination chambers for test substances (left) and
controls (right)
Welcome to TTEP
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is actively participating in the national homeland security effort by ensuring the protection of the nation's
drinking water systems and is focused on improving the nation's ability to respond to terrorist attacks affecting indoor and outdoor environments. The
National Homeland Security Research Center (NHSRC) under EPA's Office of Research and Development has established the TTEP to assist this effort.
TTEP is conducting unbiased third-party performance evaluations of commercially available homeland security technologies, incorporating stakeholder
guidance and a high degree of quality assurance oversight. Completed TTEP documents may be found at www.epa.gov/nhsrc/ttep.html. Questions about
TTEP should be directed to Mr. Eric Koglin (koglin.eric@epa.gov or 702-798-2332).
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EPA and Air Force Partner on Evaluation
For the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and EPA, Battelle
recently completed an evaluation of the Inficon
HAPSITE Smart gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer
(GC-MS). The HAPSITE Smart is a portable GC-
MS designed for on-site analysis of volatile organic
compounds in air. The optional HAPSITE Headspace
Sampling System (HSS) and HAPSITE SituProbe
Purge and Trap attachment also facilitate on-site
water analysis. USAF Bioenvironmental Engineering
personnel use Inficon's HAPSITE Smart to detect and
measure contaminants in emergency response situations,
to conduct environmental sampling, and to monitor
personnel exposure to toxic chemicals. The use of
the HAPSITE Smart is also a critical part of the U.S.
Central Command Air Force's concept of operations for
determining health risks in chemical warfare scenarios.
Similarly, EPA has the responsibility to help protect the
public in instances of accidental or deliberate releases
of toxic industrial chemicals (TICs). That responsibility
makes the HAPSITE Smart a potentially valuable tool
for EPA's Regional Response Teams.
Performance tests were conducted by challenges with
chemical warfare agents (CWAs) in air, and with TICs
in water using the HAPSITE HSS and SituProbe Purge
and Trap attachments. Performance testing focused
on accuracy, precision, detection limit, and inter-unit
comparability. New CWA calibrations were developed
for selected agents to improve quantitative accuracy.
The HAPSITE Smart's capabilities were also expanded
by developing new calibration curves for selected TICs
and CWA degradation products in water. Testing of nine
HAPSITE Smart units with TICs showed good sensitivity
and within-unit precision but less precise results when
compared between units; software factors contributing to
this behavior were called to the vendor's attention. The final
report on the HAPSITE Smart evaluation will be submitted
to the USAF at the end of May 2010. For more information
about this evaluation, contact Thomas Kelly at kellyt@
battelle.org or 614-424-3495.
Evaluation of Household Cleaner as a Radiological
Decontamination Agent
The National Response Framework, Nuclear/
Radiological Incident Annex, published in June of
2008, designates EPA as a coordinating agency for
long-term recovery following terrorist incidents
involving radioactive materials. This directive
gives EPA the governmental responsibility for
environmental response following releases
of radiological materials which impacts non-
coastal private property. To meet the expected
technology needs associated with acts of
radiological terrorism, NHSRC is conducting
decontamination technology evaluations
through TTEP These technology evaluations
provide data to support selection and use
of decontamination technologies for indoor
environments contaminated with radiological
threat agents.
During the spring and summer of 2010, an
evaluation will be conducted using Simple
Green® commercial cleaner, which may be used
for radiological decontamination.
Simple Green
Cleaner
This cleaner was selected because of its widespread
availability in stores across the United States and the
consistency of its base chemical formulation regardless
of geographical region. It will be used to clean
coupons of several common indoor materials (wood
finished with polyurethane, vinyl flooring, painted
wall board, formica laminate, and polished granite)
following contamination with a known amount of
cesium-137. These surfaces were selected because
they are likely to be present in a residential setting
(e.g., food preparation areas, furniture, floors, etc.)
and to require decontamination following terrorist
use of a radiological dispersion device. Following
cleaning (spray on Simple Green, scrub with
brush, and wipe with damp towel), the residual
radiological activity will be measured to determine
the effectiveness of Simple Green as a radiological
decontamination agent. For more information
about this technology evaluation, contact
John Drake, EPA, at drake.john@epa.gov
or 513-235-4273.
EPA through its Office of Research and Development funded and managed the research described herein under Contract GS-23F-0011L to Battelle. It has been reviewed
by the Agency but does not necessarily reflect the Agency's views. No official endorsement should be inferred. EPA does not endorse the purchase or sale of any
commercial products or services.
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