&EPA
technical BR
Decontamination Options Tool for Remediation Decisions
(Decon-O-Tron)
Homeland Security Research Program to develop a tool to aid in the selection of
decontamination methods
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. 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.
Introduction
The response community recognizes that a systems
approach to remediation that acknowledges
interdependences between activities (Figure 1) is
necessary for making decisions most advantageous to the
overall remediation. Decontamination of facilities and
outdoor areas is a critical component of any remediation.
Considerable information is available regarding
decontamination methods. EPA is developing a decision
support tool that organizes and allows users to retrieve
information via queries based on site specific information.
The attributes of various decontamination methods can then
be factored against other remedial conditions and
constraints to arrive at the remedial strategies for a given
situation.
The knowledge base for decontamination options includes information on parameters that can
impact the overall remediation:
• Effectiveness: How is the efficacy of the decontaminant impacted by the contaminant
and surfaces or enclosures to which it is applied?
• Application conditions: What is the dependency of efficacy on the decontaminant
application conditions?
• Environmental factors: What is the impact of environmental conditions on achieving
the required decontaminant application conditions?
• Material demand: What is the impact of the materials being decontaminated on the
decontamination process?
• Material compatibility: What is the impact of decontamination process on the
materials being decontaminated?
Waste generation: What residual materials will be generated by the decontamination;
can materials be simply and inexpensively disposed, or will disposal be difficult?
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Environments!
Factors
Operational
Factors
Figure 1: Interdependences of Homeland Security Remediation Activities
Decontamination Options Tool
A compilation of information on various decontamination methods has been assembled into a
database that includes:
• Biological agent the method is effective against
• Decontaminant type (e.g., fumigant, liquid, foam, gel, vapor/fog)
• Decontaminant chemical or product
• Vendor
• Testing specifications
o Testing type (e.g., efficacy, material demand, material compatibility)
o Testing method (e.g., gas, immersion, spray)
o Testing parameters (e.g., varied concentration, time, relative humidity)
o Test Scale (e.g., bench-top, glove box, room-size)
o Test neutralization method (e.g., aeration, chemical)
o Material types
o Test coupon size
o Inoculation method
o Starting agent amount
o Sampling type (e.g., extractive, surface sampling)
o Analysis method (e.g., culture, polymerase-chain reaction)
• Efficacy, material demand, or material compatibility results as a function of test
parameters
• References
January, 2012
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The decontamination options support tool will allow the user to query data relevant to site specific
conditions, resulting in manageable tables of information on applicable decontamination methods. This
information, in combination with sampling requirements, waste management and other key inputs,
could be used to develop site-specific cost estimates for different remediation options. A framework for
this tool (Figure 2) illustrates the use of data and information on decontamination methods to down-
select to viable and feasible remediation options. The decontamination options support tool is expected
for release in late 2012.
For additional information contact Dr. Shawn Ryan (ryan.shawn@epa.gov)
What decontamination methods are
effective options considering
the contamination type and
sties?
If certain materials were removed, <
other decontamination options might be
effective for the remaining materials?
Time/cost of
overcoming
environmental
constraints
What decontamination methods
are likely to be successfully
Implemented based upon
environmental constraints?
Source redcution
and waste
management
costs
What decontamination methods
are likely to be successfully
implemented based upon
operational constraints?
If selected areas were treated with different
approach(es) or selected materials removed.
what other decontamination options
could likely be successfully Implemented?
What decontamination methods
are most suitable options
based upon availability, time, and cost
(factoring in waste management!
decontamination
option dependent
Figure 2: Decontamination Method Down-selection Process
January, 2012
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