NCJ Number
191574
Date Published
1999
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This chapter focuses on the use of electrically driven technologies and their improvement by using them with chemical sensitizers to neutralize biological warfare agents.
Abstract
In the past, the thought of decontaminating areas affected by chemical and biological agents was thought too difficult. But now, countering the dispersal of those agents may be useful with the help of the advances in emerging electric technologies. That neutralizing relies on sending energy to agents, which breaks down their chemical bonds and makes them ineffective. Electric power is the most promising means to send that energy. Table 13-1 shows environments which effect deployment of electrotechnologies. Table 13-2 shows the technology, such as ultraviolet light, available, and the factors that determine efficiency. The total system power required for each electrotechnology can be reduced to two equations. One relates the electrical system to the power required for disinfection. The other considers how efficiently the form of energy couples to the threat pathogen. Ultraviolet light (UV) transfers energy in light into the microorganism, disinfecting it. UV light can be used with a photochemical sensitizer, which attracts aerosols, to neutralize agents. Electron beams have sterilized wastewater. Disinfection using electron beams has nearly the same effect as the UV-hydrogen peroxide process and does not require the use of chemical additives. However, the process requires shielding to prevent X-ray exposure to workers. X-rays may be useful to disinfect agents that have infected internal areas that are hard to get to, such as the interior of aircraft wings. However, X-rays may damage sensitive electronic equipment. As a gas, ozone could penetrate into cracks and hollow surfaces. But it is only modestly efficient, corrosive and could be explosive. Pulsed electric fields appears promising for inactivating bacteria. The technology is efficient, but it has not been investigated for its possibilities with cell membranes. An Air Force laboratory is testing lasers in treating aerosols or large surface areas. Gas plasma, or ionized gas, has been shown to inactivate spores and bacteria on surfaces. Microwaves can disinfect bacteria, especially when used with chlorine or with moisture. Because of the diversity of environments that would require decontamination, it is unlikely that one technology would be useful for all purposes. So a number of electrotechnologies must be developed in parallel and used in their applicable areas. Tables, footnotes