Synthetic Opioids in Operational Environments – Part II: Decontamination


All kinds of vehicles have been used in drug manufacture, including buried school buses ©CBRNe World


decontamination procedure can be employed using a non-alcohol-based, low pH wipe to remove as much potential contamination as possible. It should be noted that the efficacy of wipes for removing threat materials, including synthetic opioids, has not been well characterised. Harsh oxidising chemicals like


bleach or peracetic acid should not be applied directly to the skin. Avoid any soaps or solutions at basic pH (pH > 7) as the increased pH will increase skin absorption. Avoid any wipes or solutions that are alcohol-based as alcohol has also been shown to double the rate of skin absorption.4


Furthermore, avoid


wipes with any other solvents present as there is little information available about their performance and effects on fentanyl skin permeation. Once dry, provide clean clothes or a temporary garment and monitor for any clinical symptoms of fentanyl exposure.


PPE, sensitive equipment, and evidence packaging First, ensure the PPE, sensitive equipment and evidence packaging is not a source of contamination spread. Consider performing an initial gross decon using a highly absorbent wipe to remove any obvious signs of contamination from the PPE or equipment.


The next step is to select the decontamination agent and use a technical decontamination process to reduce contamination to a level that is non-detectable. At present the most appropriate solutions are those containing a surfactant and oxidant, specifically 4–5% peracetic acid or 8- 10% hydrogen peroxide. They can be utilised to destroy residual amounts of synthetic opioids as long as the pH is modified to between five and seven. The pH modification will ensure that the material is not destructive to the sensitive equipment and materials, and will provide a secondary vapour suppression capability.5 Based on published data on the Dahlgen Decon product3


, the solution


should remain in contact with the PPE or sensitive equipment for five minutes to ensure complete destruction of all fentanyl and fentanyl analogues. In addition, the solutions should be used within six to 12 hours of mixing to maintain appropriate concentrations and their effectiveness. Avoid using solutions at the pH extremes as they can be harsh on sensitive equipment and PPE materials. If in doubt about the success of the


process, it can be repeated. Sensitive equipment, PPE areas where high levels of contamination are visible or areas within three to four inches (76-


102mm) of an interface that will be opened when doffing the gear can also be wiped to remove any residual decontaminant. Trace detection techniques can be used to monitor decontamination effectiveness. Any potential evidence should be


captured and managed following evidentiary best practice. The outside of the evidence packaging container should be decontaminated as if it were sensitive equipment (see process above) to minimise any potential for secondary contamination.


Surfaces/area Following a synthetic opioid response, there are likely to be areas within a facility or in the environment where the response entity must destroy any residual materials to ensure continued public safety. First, if possible prevent the surface


from being a source of contamination spread. Then consider an initial gross decon step using a highly absorbent wipe to remove any obvious signs of contamination from the surface. This is likely to be most useful for small areas of contamination. As for decontamination of PPE,


sensitive equipment and evidence packaging, select the decontamination agent and use a technical decontamination process to reduce the


CBRNe Convergence, Orlando, USA, 6-8 November 2018 www.cbrneworld.com/convergence2018 26 CBRNe WORLD February 2018 www.cbrneworld.com


CBRNeWORLD


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68