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technical BRIEF
BUILDING A SCIENTIFIC FOUNDATION FOR SOUND ENVIRONMENTAL DECISIONS
2013 U.S. EPA INTERNATIONAL DECONTAMINATION
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE
NOVEMBER 5-7,2013
INTRODUCTION
The 2013 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) International Decontamination
Research and Development Conference brought together the scientific community and
practitioners tasked with performing on-site data collection and remediation. For three days at
EPA's campus in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, more than 170 national and
international participants representing local, state, and federal government agencies, academia,
industry, and public advocacy groups viewed presentations and actively engaged in panel
discussion and a poster viewing session. This diverse audience brought together experts in
emergency response, decision support tools, risk communication, sampling, detection,
treatment, decontamination methods, and waste management related to biological, chemical,
and radiological agents to explore current and future directions.
This Technical Brief outlines the events and presentations of the conference. The
information is organized by topic; the Plenary Session, General Sessions, and Poster
Session topics are outlined first, followed by topics covered during the Concurrent
Sessions.
Plenary Session
Dr. Shawn Ryan, Division Director of the Decontamination & Consequence
Management Division (DCMD) with EPA's National Homeland Security Research
Center (NHSRC), Dr. Lukas Oudejans, Chairperson of the NHSRC Conference
Organizing Committee and Dr. Greg Sayles, Acting Director of NHSRC welcomed
participants to the conference and provided opening remarks. Dr. Greg Sayles
introduced Mr. Lek Kadeli, the Acting Assistant Administrator of EPA's Office of
Research and Development (ORD).
This document does not constitute nor should be construed as an EPA endorsement
of any particular product, service, or technology.
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Mr. Kadeli quoted EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy's First 100 Days message: "Each
day my goal is to make EPA's work relevant and important to every community in the
United States...everyone wants to ensure that their kids are healthy, that their
communities and drinking water are safe and that their economies are strong". Mr.
Kadeli recognized that these are the hallmarks of community sustainability and that's
why EPA's mission to protect human health and the environment now encompasses
every facet of preparing communities for the challenges ahead and strengthening their
resiliency to bounce back the next time disaster strikes.
Dr. Peter Jutro (EPA) introduced the keynote speaker, the Honorable Dr. Richard J.
Danzig, expert consultant to the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security and
current Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Center for a New American Security.
Previously, Dr. Danzig served as the 71st Secretary of the Navy (November 1998 -
January 2001) and was a senior advisor to then Senator Obama on national security
issues during the 2008 Presidential campaign. Dr. Danzig underscored the importance
of heroes, not only the traditional idea of leaders who step forward in a crisis, but also
those who foresee the potential crisis and begin to prepare for it. The preparation for
remediation following e.g., a wide area biological release, is fraught with difficulties
due to the unpredictable nature of such crises, including the type and amount of
pathogen, modality of delivery, and distribution of contamination.
Dr. Danzig commended efforts such as the federal multi-agency Bioresponse
Operational Testing and Evaluation (BOTE) study and the Scientific Program on
Reaerosolization and Exposure (SPORE) program and stressed the need for similar
tools that the scientific community can use to provide definitive answers to
policymakers based on conclusive data. Dr. Danzig also discussed the issues of time
and scale, emphasizing the importance of identifying priority items, demanding more
situational awareness information, and communicating clear and concise information to
policymakers now to prepare an "all-hazards" response rather than waiting to respond
once a crisis has already occurred.
General Session 1 - Outcome Tabletop Exercise, Guidance, and Response
The first general session consisted of seven
presentations from federal agencies of the United
States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Japan. The
first presentation explained how the private sector
in Canada can help with the assessment and
remediation process following a chemical,
biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive
weapon (CBRNE) incident. Representatives from
Public Health England outlined guidance available
in the United Kingdom including Recovery
Handbooks for chemical and biological incidents. These documents are not considered
substitutes for specialist advice but would aid decision makers in the development of a recovery
strategy.
This document does not constitute nor should be construed as an EPA endorsement
of any particular product, service, or technology.
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The fourth presentation summarized ongoing research surrounding the accident at the
Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. The behavior of the radionuclides emitted into
the environment and the appropriate treatment and disposal technologies for the
radioactively contaminated waste were described The fifth presentation showed the
Hazard Mitigation Science and Technology Program for the U.S. Department of
Defense (DoD), which funds research to find new technologies and methods with goals
to limit the spread of contamination, return equipment to normal mission operation, and
enable operations at reduced levels of protection, among other goals. The DoD
presentation was followed by a presentation on the United Kingdom Government
Decontamination Service. In addition to providing an overview of the agency's ongoing
activities, this presentation identified efforts of developing and testing standard
operating procedures in response to a wide area biological release. A discussion on
the Biological Response and Recovery Science and Technology Roadmap wrapped up
the first general session. This working document helps categorize key scientific gaps in
the response to a biological incident, identify specific technological solutions, and
prioritize research activities to enable government to make decisions more effectively.
General Session 2 - Decision Support Tools
The common theme for the nine presentations
in this session was to provide the conference
attendees with information on available
software tools that can be used as part of a
structured decision-making process for
response and remediation.
Presenters described the tools and applications
related to
• quick urban and industrial complex
(QUIC) dispersion modeling, P|urne map following a radiological agent release
• prioritization analysis tool for all-
hazards/analyzer for wide-area restoration effectiveness (PATH/AWARE),
• visual sampling plan (VSP) tool,
• decision support toolset for weapons of mass destruction crisis management,
• utility of the tactical dynamic operational guided sampling (TAcDOGS) tool,
• decontamination strategy and technology selection tool (DeconST),
• decision support tool for use in carcass management,
• update of the waste estimation support tool (WEST),
• interactive all hazards waste management plan development tool.
This document does not constitute nor should be construed as an EPA endorsement
of any particular product, service, or technology.
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All tool developers participated in a one-hour panel discussion regarding the use,
training, inter-connectivity, and future of these tools. Conference participants then
attended demonstrations of these tools.
General Session 3 - Risk Communication and Systems
Approach & Food Safety-Decontamination and Disposal Issues
The second day of the conference began with a general session focused on risk
communication and systems approach. The importance of professional and public
perception, risk communication messaging, and social media following a contamination
event and subsequent decontamination and remediation was emphasized. The first
presentation compared professional and public assessments of critical information
needs and evaluated messages developed during previous workshops for
appropriateness and effectiveness. The second presentation focused on the research
need for risk communication practices during the remediation phase of a biological
incident. One conclusion of that study was that emergency management personnel may
benefit from including the influence of social media in their risk communication, a tool
that is not fully utilized at this time.
A third presentation on a systems approach to characterize the social environment for
decontamination and resilience concluded that meeting technical clearance goals after
remediation may not be enough to ensure re-occupancy and reuse of an area as social
factors such as community ties and sense of place influence re-occupancy decisions.
The final presentation of the third general session focused on food defense defined as
efforts to prevent the intentional contamination of food products by biological,
chemical, physical, or radiological agents. The presentation highlighted the current
research and challenges in the detection, decontamination, and disposal of
contaminated food.
General Session 4 - Low Tech/Self Help
The third and final day of the conference commenced with the fourth general session
highlighting low tech and self-help approaches to decontamination. The first presenter
discussed laundering of radioactively
contaminated materials to reduce exposure to
radiation. Washing clothing was found to be
effective in removal of radiological
contamination with the majority of
contamination transferred to the wastewater.
The second presenter reported an
experimental study in which high efficiency
particulate air (HEPA) vacuuming and
compressed air dusting were used to remove
radiological contamination from sensitive Example of a (radiologically) contaminated keypad
(electronic) devices such as cell phones,
This document does not constitute nor should be construed as an EPA endorsement
of any particular product, service, or technology.
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numerical keypads, and responder bags. Both approaches were highly effective to
remove contamination although the compressed air had a tendency to spread
contamination.
A third presentation summarized the efficacy of sporicidal wipes and addressed the
question of whether or not these wipes can be used to treat anthrax "hotspots" on
nonporous surfaces. Sporicidal wipes containing bleach were found to be more
efficacious than others. The presenter also noted that disinfecting wipes showed no
sporicidal activity. The final presentation in this session commented on the use of
chlorine bleach solution to treat contaminated wastewater. Results showed that both
pH-adjusted bleach (as per National Response team (NRT) guidelines) and diluted
bleach are both highly effective for inactivation of B. atrophaeus spp. globigii (Bg), a
surrogate for B. anthracis, in wash waters.
General Session 5 - Foreign Animal Disease Research
The fifth and final general session wrapped up the conference with a focus on foreign animal
disease-related research. The first presenter reported on lessons learned from low pathogenic
avian influenza outbreaks in Virginia and their relevance to an agro-terror attack or foreign
animal disease (FAD) outbreak. Transportation and disposal issues following a large scale FAD
outbreak were the main topic of the second presentation in this session. The third presenter
showed an approach to decontaminate vehicles using a
fully autonomous and portable wash tunnel. Although
originally designed to be used in response to an FAD
outbreak, the system could also be used during the
response phase following a biological or radiological
incident. The last presenter in this session described the
findings from a contaminated livestock combustion study
using a pilot-scale air curtain burner. Initial results showed
no viable spores in the exhaust gases, indicating
satisfactory combustion conditions. Ima9e of an air curtain burner
Mr. Juan Reyes, Acting Associate Administrator with EPA's Office of Homeland
Security and Lukas Oudejans (EPA) made final remarks, thanked the conference
planning team, and dismissed the conference.
Poster Session
An afternoon poster session on the second day of the conference provided a break
between sessions, with 18 posters representing a range of decontamination related
issues. Topics included techniques for decontamination of various surfaces and
environments, emerging technologies that allow faster and more accurate evaluation of
onsite contamination and fate and transport studies of various contaminants in
environmental and municipal systems.
Concurrent Sessions
The following biological, chemical and radiological agent sessions were conducted
concurrently during the second and third day of the conference to allow broader topic
This document does not constitute nor should be construed as an EPA endorsement
of any particular product, service, or technology.
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area coverage. The concurrent sessions focused on various aspects of biological,
chemical, and radiological contaminants and decontamination techniques, including
sessions specifically covering water and wastewater management.
Decontamination
The first of two biological agent decontamination
sessions opened with a presentation on new
processes for decontamination using aqueous gels
and foams. Various products were described with
specific mechanisms (e.g., self-drying and cracking
gels or gelified foams) to decontaminate surfaces
or volumes contaminated with radiological,
biological, or chemical agents. Next, the results of
a study assessing efficacy of low level chlorine
dioxide fumigation anthrax decontamination Mock office as used durin9 fumigation study
techniques in a mock office environment were
presented to allow more companies who can generate low concentration chlorine
dioxide to assist in remediation efforts. The next presentation explored efficacy of
methyl iodide fumigation techniques for a variety of anthrax contaminated surfaces with
a focus on irreplaceable historical artifacts. Methyliodide was found to be more
detrimental to historic pictures than methyl bromide while methyl iodide may be more
appropriate for nonporous surfaces. The session was concluded with a video about
returning Gruinard Island, Scotland, to an environmentally acceptable state appropriate
for civilian use following a biological warfare test by the British military in 1942.
Biological agent decontamination was also covered during a second concurrent
session, on the following day. This session opened with a presentation of the results of
research evaluating six decontamination technologies used to inactivate anthrax in
soils. Four of the tested approaches resulted in better than 6 log reduction in both B.
anthracis and the surrogate B. subtilis spores. Another study examined various
chlorine dioxide formulations as a biocide alternative to methyl bromide in the
decontamination of soil. A third presentation elaborated on survival of anthrax after
exposure to hot humid air as a decontamination method for sensitive equipment with
no impact on the functionality. The final presentation during this session explored
aerosol delivery of liquid decontaminants (oxidants, enzymes) as an aid in
decontaminating complex, confined, or "hard-to-reach" spaces.
Sampling and Detection
The biological agent sampling and detection session opened with two presentations that
provided results of evaluations of various vacuum sampling methods for extracting anthrax
spores. The first presentation evaluated previously identified vacuum technologies by optimizing
sample processing protocols while the second presentation focused on sampling results
obtained using robot cleaners in an effort to cover larger areas with one sample which would
result in lower cost and risk to the sampling personnel. This presentation was followed by a
This document does not constitute nor should be construed as an EPA endorsement
of any particular product, service, or technology.
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summary of findings after assessing available commercial
off-the-shelf (COTS) hand-portable biodetection equipment.
The session concluded with a presentation on the effects of
various agents (i.e., pH-adjusted bleach, chlorine dioxide,
and vaporous hydrogen peroxide) used for anthrax
decontamination on the rapid viability polymerase chain
reaction (RV-PCR) method of anthrax spore detection. Data
showed that the RV-PCR method could allow higher
throughput analysis of post-decontamination clearance Microbiological sampling using
samples as compared to the traditional culture-based vacuum sock
analysis.
Fate and Transport
The biological agent fate and transport session kicked off with a presentation on the
quantification of the re-aerosolization of bacterial spores deposited on flooring (carpet
and vinyl) by decontamination personnel walking across the surfaces.
The next three presentations were associated with the Scientific Program on
Reaerosolization and Exposure (SPORE), a multiple federal agency effort. The first
presentation provided an overview of the SPORE initiatives and objectives. Four
priority gaps were identified, namely, development of appropriate and validated air
sample collection methods for reaerosolized viable and inhalable spores, determination
of reaerosolization, determination of suitable surrogates or simulants and
determination of sampling and analytical methods as well as sampling strategies. This
presentation was followed by a detailed description of a SPORE project focused on
quantitative resuspension of anthrax spores from common surfaces. This session was
wrapped up with the description of another SPORE project to evaluate suitability of
Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk) as a behaviorally representative surrogate for
B. anthracis.
Persistence
The biological agent persistence session began by presenting the results of a large-
scale sampling of soil across the U.S. for Bacillus sp. and Bacillus anthracis. Threshold
values were identified as prospective investigative tools in determining whether an
anthrax outbreak was 'potential' or 'probable' at any given geographic location in the
contiguous United States. This presentation was followed by an assessment of the
persistence of vegetative B. anthracis in the environment as a function of relative
humidity and after ultra violet (UV) exposure.
Sampling and Detection
The chemical agent sampling and detection session began with a presentation
reviewing methods used at U.S. Army chemical agent disposal facilities for
decontamination, waste management, and verification techniques to allow closure of
facilities and return to public use. Near real time and/or sorbent tube monitoring was
used to detect residual agent, and unventilated air monitoring was used to verify
This document does not constitute nor should be construed as an EPA endorsement
of any particular product, service, or technology.
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whether decontamination was effective. The presentation also discussed the events
and lessons learned from the ESS Pursuit incident. The next speaker described the
results of a study conducted to evaluate analytical laboratory protocols for identifying
and measuring chemical warfare agents (CWAs) in environmental matrices. The
speaker also discussed the shelf lives of the ultra-dilute solutions which
allow EPA to handle CWAs.
The third presentation introduced EPA's mobile laboratory asset, the Portable High-
Throughput Integrated Laboratory Identification Systems (PHILIS). The presentation
explained how its successful on-site analysis aided the cleanup of residential areas in
Vermont.
Image of Portable High Throughput Integrated Laboratory Identification Systems (PHILIS)
This application illustrates the dual use of these mobile assets as their mission
includes the ability to analyze CWAs and toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) in
environmental samples. The next presentation wrapped up the session with a
description of EPA's Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzer (TAGA) mobile laboratory
containing a direct air monitoring instrument employing triple quadrupole mass
spectrometry. Work on the real-time detection of CWAs will have the potential to help
first responders in the event of such releases.
Fate, Persistence and Transport
The chemical agent fate, persistence, and transport session began with a presentation
that focused on efforts to model and predict fate and transport processes of chemical
warfare agents on surfaces following chemical contamination. Modeling efforts of
laboratory experiments were successful in many cases. However, some data suggest
transport limitations within droplets or reactivity, leading to the conclusion that
modeling and experimentation must be coupled to become more useful.
The second and last presentation in this session discussed the effects of temperature
and humidity on adsorption and desorption of CWAs by activated carbon beds which
informs the engineering controls required during hot air decontamination. Results for
sulfur mustard and sarin indicate that breakthrough times are affected by temperature,
but not in a consistent manner across various carbon types.
This document does not constitute nor should be construed as an EPA endorsement
of any particular product, service, or technology.
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Decontamination
The chemical agent decontamination session kicked off with a presentation explaining
the issues and potential evaluation of sampling and decontamination techniques
associated with improper indoor use of pesticides to control pests (e.g., bed bugs).
Three project goals were identified: develop sampling and modeling approaches to
evaluate surface residues, develop surface threshold values, and determine efficacies
of decontaminants. Challenges associated with the analysis of Lewisite during
decontamination studies were discussed in a second presentation. Various analytical
approaches including cool on-column inlet gas chromatography and derivatization of
Lewisite with gas chromatography were discussed as possible aids to determine
Lewisite decontamination.
The third presentation focused on the effectiveness of various textile technologies
(wipes) in decontaminating skin and personal protective equipment. Wipes were
evaluated against various chemical warfare agents, and the results indicate
performance equal to a Fuller's Earth pad. The session closed with a presentation
explaining the development of the Hazard Mitigation, Material and Equipment
Restoration (HaMMER) advanced technology demonstration program, designed to
advance the assessment and integration of new products into hazard mitigation.
Results from this DoD program indicate that the decontamination processes and
products tested can significantly reduce remaining chemical agent hazards to well
below military requirements if used in a synergistic manner.
Fate, Transport, and Decontamination
The radiological agent fate, transport and decontamination session started with a
presentation exploring the fate and transport of radionuclides on common urban
surfaces, followed by a presentation of an investigation of the sorption and speciation
of the same radionuclides. The third presentation explained the challenges and
knowledge gaps involved in applying various tested radiological decontamination
technologies to urban environments. The session concluded with a presentation on
humic acid-based sorbents applied to toxic substances.
Water and Waste Water Management
The first water and waste water management session began with a presentation
outlining an investigation of the United Kingdom's capability to manage contaminated
water in drinking water treatment facilities and sewage treatment plants. Water
treatment facilities generally know what treatment processes to use; however, with
many counties participating, no data harmonization occurs, hence detailed information
would be required on actual capacities to identify any area at risk.
An update on water decontamination activities followed, including an outline of the
Critical Infrastructure Partnership Advisory Council's (CIPAC's) framework for decision-
makers to aid in decontamination of chemical, biological, and radiological agents from
water systems.A disposal guide and preparedness tool that serves as a reference to
assist water utility actions was discussed.
This document does not constitute nor should be construed as an EPA endorsement
of any particular product, service, or technology.
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The second waste and waste water management session opened with the author
presenting selected results from the US EPA Homeland Security Research Program's
projects to evaluate treatment and system decontamination options for water and
wastewater. Of particular interest is the design and development of a water security
test bed (WSTB) to investigate chemical, biological, and radiological detectors,
decontaminants, and decontamination procedures at full scale. The next presenter
outlined a report released by the National Homeland Security Research Center titled
"Decontamination of Drinking Water Infrastructure: A Literature Review and Summary."
The same presenter also provided a more detailed description of aforementioned
planned WSTB experiments.
This presentation was followed by a presentation elaborating on the Irreversible Wash
Aid Additive Process, which washes radioactive cesium from surfaces and renders the
radionuclide environmentally immobile. The presentation on the Irreversible Wash Aid
Additive Process also included results from a full scale demonstration to
decontaminate a vehicle while preventing the release of contaminated water into the
environment through the use of rapidly deployable barriers. The session concluded
with a presentation on the fate of radionuclides deposited on various components of
drinking water distribution systems.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For more information, visit the EPA Web site at www.epa.gov/nhsrc.
Technical Contact: Lukas Oudejans (oudeians.lukas@epa.gov)
General Feedback/Questions: Kathy Nickel (nickel.kathy@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA's Homeland Security Research Program (HSRP) develops products based on scientific
research and technology evaluations. Our products and expertise are widely used in preventing,
preparing for, and recovering from public health and environmental emergencies that arise from
terrorist attacks or natural disasters. Our research and products address biological, radiological, or
chemical contaminants that could affect indoor areas, outdoor areas, or water infrastructure. HSRP
provides these products, technical assistance, and expertise to support EPA's roles and
responsibilities under the National Response Framework, statutory requirements, and Homeland
Security Presidential Directives.
This document does not constitute nor should be construed as an EPA endorsement
of any particular product, service, or technology.
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