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Rozsypal T. Persistence of A-234 nerve agent on indoor surfaces. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 357:141968. [PMID: 38615965 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the fundamental physical characteristics of extremely toxic compounds and their behavior across different environments plays a crucial role in assessing their danger. Additionally, this knowledge informs the development of protocols for gathering forensic evidence related to harmful chemicals misuse. In 2018, former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter were poisoned in Salisbury, England, with a substance later identified as the unconventional nerve agent A-234. Contamination with the compound was found on items inside Skripal's home. The aim of this paper was to determine the persistence of A-234 on selected indoor surfaces. Ceramics, aluminum can, laminated chipboard, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) floor tile, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle, acrylic paint and computer keyboard were used as matrices. The decrease in surface contamination and further fate of the compound was monitored for 12 weeks. Persistence determination involved optimizing the wipe sampling method. Simultaneously, evaporation from the surface and permeation of the contaminant into the matrix were closely monitored. The experimental findings indicate that the nerve agent exhibits remarkable persistence, particularly on impermeable surfaces. Notably, the process of A-234 evaporation plays a minor role in determining its fate, with detectable concentrations observed solely above solid, non-porous surfaces such as ceramics and aluminum can. The surface persistence half-life varied significantly, ranging from 12 min to 478 days, depending on the material. The article has implications for emergency response protocols, decontamination strategies, public health and crime scene investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomáš Rozsypal
- Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defence Institute, University of Defence, Vita Nejedleho 1, 68203, Vyskov, Czech Republic.
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Oudejans L, Wyrzykowska-Ceradini B, Morris E, Jackson S, Touati A, Sawyer J, Mikelonis A, Serre S. Evaluation of Malathion, DIMP, and Strawberry Furanone as CWA Simulants for Consideration in Field-Level Interior Building Remediation Exercises. ACS CHEMICAL HEALTH & SAFETY 2023; 30:270-278. [PMID: 38269393 PMCID: PMC10805241 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chas.3c00029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Field-level exercises with the purpose to assess remediation following the deliberate release of a highly toxic chemical in an indoor environment can be conducted using low(er) toxicity simulants if they are closely linked to the behavior of the toxic chemical itself. Chemical warfare agent (CWA) simulants have been identified on their suitability based on chemical structural similarities and associated physical and chemical properties. However, there are no reported studies that combine measurement of simulant parameters like persistence on surfaces, ability to sample for, and capability to degrade during the decontamination phase such that the level of success of a field-level exercise can be quantified. Experimental research was conducted to assess these gaps using a select number of CWA simulants. The organophosphate pesticide malathion was found to be a suitable simulant for use in field-level exercises that simulate the release of the highly persistent nerve agent VX based on its high persistence, effective surface sampling and analysis using standard analytical equipment, and the in situ degradation in the presence of different oxidizing decontaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Oudejans
- Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | | | - Eric Morris
- Science Systems Applications, Inc., Hampton, Virginia 23666, United States
| | - Stephen Jackson
- Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Abderrahmane Touati
- Jacobs Technology, Inc., Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Jonathan Sawyer
- Jacobs Technology, Inc., Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Anne Mikelonis
- Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Shannon Serre
- Consequence Management Advisory Divison, Office of Land and Emergency Management, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
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Willison SA, Stout D, Mysz A, Starr J, Tabor D, Wyrzykowska-Ceradini B, Nardin J, Morris E, Snyder EG. Evaluating wipe sampling parameters to assess method performance and data confidence during remediation of hazardous pesticide misuse chemicals on indoor materials. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 856:159053. [PMID: 36179849 PMCID: PMC9827677 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Pesticide misuse incidents are reported worldwide each year. The potential exposure to pesticides creates a concern for occupants in affected homes, apartments, and other occupied buildings. Pesticides that are improperly applied within these locations may require remediation prior to reoccupation. Incident response personnel rely heavily on data from sampling results to identify residue levels and determine when site remediation is complete. Surface wipe samples are often collected for this purpose. Therefore, it is important to ensure sampling and analysis procedures are well established for the contaminants of concern, particularly for wipe sampling variables that can affect analysis results. This investigation evaluated the effects of surface wipe media, wipe wetting solvents, pesticide concentrations effects, composite sampling, surface types, and pesticide formulation effects on analysis results for fipronil, permethrin, and deltamethrin. Tested surface types included galvanized steel, vinyl tile, and plywood. Wipe media included pre-packaged, sterile cotton gauze, pre-cleaned cotton twill, and a pre-packaged, pre-wetted wipes. Surface recovery results are reported for commercially available fipronil formulations and compared to technical grade fipronil solutions. Fipronil recoveries were 92-107 % for twill wipes, 81-98 % for cotton gauze wipes, and 79 % for pre-packaged, pre-wetted wipes on a galvanized steel surface. Permethrin recoveries were 83-116 % for twill wipes, 66-94 % for cotton gauze wipes, and 73 % for pre-packaged, pre-wetted wipes on a galvanized steel surface. Deltamethrin recoveries were 67-88 % for twill wipes, 55-71 % for cotton gauze wipes, and 63 % for pre-packaged, pre-wetted wipes on a galvanized steel surface. The data collected in this study can inform surface wipe sampling methods and potentially assist in obtaining more accurate sampling data associated with pesticide misuse incidents involving the target analytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart A Willison
- U.S. EPA, Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, 26 Martin Luther King Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA.
| | - Daniel Stout
- U.S. EPA, Center for Environmental Management and Monitoring, 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Durham, NC 27711, USA
| | - Amy Mysz
- U.S. EPA, Region 5, 77 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604, USA
| | - James Starr
- U.S. EPA, Center for Environmental Management and Monitoring, 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Durham, NC 27711, USA
| | - Dennis Tabor
- U.S. EPA, Center for Environmental Management and Monitoring, 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Durham, NC 27711, USA
| | | | - Josh Nardin
- Jacobs Technology, Inc., 600 William Northern Blvd, Tullahoma, TN 37388, USA
| | - Eric Morris
- Jacobs Technology, Inc., 600 William Northern Blvd, Tullahoma, TN 37388, USA
| | - Emily Gibb Snyder
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Durham, NC 27709, USA
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Oudejans L, See D, Dodds C, Corlew M, Magnuson M. Decontamination options for indoor surfaces contaminated with realistic fentanyl preparations. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 297:113327. [PMID: 34311256 PMCID: PMC8573902 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The significant increase in illegal use of the synthetic opioid fentanyl is leading to unintentional overdose fatalities. Spills of fentanyl where it is abused or prepared for illegal distribution can result in persistent contamination of areas. Remediation can be attempted through physical removal but may benefit greatly from application of decontamination solutions that provide in-situ degradation of fentanyl. This work investigates the efficacy of decontamination technologies for degradation of fentanyl-HCl on indoor surfaces. Decontamination studies were conducted to evaluate the oxidative degradation of fentanyl based on percarbonate, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, and chlorine (bleach) chemistries. This study utilized an experimental design relevant to field operations to provide direct information to first or hazardous materials responders and providers of environmental fentanyl remediation services, who may otherwise rely on unverified approaches. Across a range of nonporous indoor surfaces, results suggest that water (with or without detergent) spraying alone can physically remove 70-90% of fentanyl (with all fentanyl recovered in runoff). In nearly all cases, the spray application of peracetic acid or acetified bleach oxidants resulted in statistically significant degradation of fentanyl (>95% reduction), with noticeably lower efficacy for other oxidants (e.g., pH neutral bleach and OxiClean™). The decontamination efficacy was significantly reduced upon the addition of cutting agents that competed for oxidant demand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Oudejans
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Homeland Security and Materials Management Division, USA.
| | | | | | | | - Matthew Magnuson
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Homeland Security and Materials Management Division, USA
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Determination of malathion's toxic effect on Lens culinaris Medik cell cycle. Heliyon 2020; 6:e04846. [PMID: 32954032 PMCID: PMC7486440 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to determine the toxic effect of malathion pesticide on root growth, cell division and the chromosomal abnormalities frequency using the L. culinaris test. Initially, the lentil seeds were subjected to different doses of malathion (0.0 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 mgL-1) and during 24, 48, and 72 h, the root length was measured. Subsequently, at 72h, the mitotic index, mitotic inhibition, and cellular abnormalities were calculated for all treatments. According to the obtained results, it was visualized that the root growth was inversely proportional to the concentration of malathion at all times of exposure. After 72h of exposure, the lowest values of the mitotic index and inhibition were presented at malathion concentrations 20, 25 and 30 mgL-1. Additionally, micronuclei cell abnormalities, metaphase sticky chromosomes, split chromosomes, nuclear lesions, irregular anaphase, anaphase bridges, binucleated cells, absence of nucleus and telophase bridge were observed. Finally, Malathion induced mitodepressive and cytotoxic effects in the meristematic cells of the L. culinaris root tip. A high frequency of abnormality was found in the micronuclei, which represented an indicator of a high degree of toxicity at the cellular level.
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Hryniewicz BM, Wolfart F, Gómez-Romero P, Orth ES, Vidotti M. Enhancement of organophosphate degradation by electroactive pyrrole and imidazole copolymers. Electrochim Acta 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2020.135842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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