Blister Agent Decontamination

[go to: Decontamination Section for details]

WARNING! Blister agent decontamination must occur immediately. The agent should be blotted off, not wiped off so the agent will not be spread furthering contamination.

Mustards should not be decontaminated with water, except for the eyes, as it will spread the agent. Eyes and mucous membranes should be flushed with water, saline, or isotonic sodium bicarbonate. For phosgene oxide, alkalis are effective for chemical inactivation. Chlorination solution may also be used to inactivate mustard and lewisite, but is less effective for HN3, and is ineffective for phosgene oxime. For phosgene oxime, chemical inactivation by using alkalis, such as Fuller's earth, can be used.