Assessment of Low-Level Hydrogen Peroxide Fumigation for Remediation of Indoor Environments Contaminated with Persistent Toxic Chemicals
Citation:
Oudejans, L., W. Williamson, AND S. Roy. Assessment of Low-Level Hydrogen Peroxide Fumigation for Remediation of Indoor Environments Contaminated with Persistent Toxic Chemicals. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-21/122, 2021.
Impact/Purpose:
A release of chemical warfare agents VX or sulfur mustard (HD) will create an acute and significant exposure risk to the public as well as remediation contractors who would be tasked to cleanup a contaminated site. Such contaminated site may hold sensitive equipment which would be more difficult to decontaminate considering the need for no or very minimal material incompatibilities. Traditional decontamination solutions such as bleach or hydroxide salt containing products tend to be highly corrosive. Vaporous hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizer that was found to be effective at high concentrations and has no or minimal compatibility issues. This report describes the decontamination efficacy research that was conducted using a low concentration hydrogen peroxide vapor approach which can be generated with low cost COTS materials such as a humidifier. The results of this research will inform the EPA response community and other Federal, State, Tribal and Local agencies on decontamination options for sensitive equipment and should be considered as part of the remediation strategy to cleanup VX or HD contaminated sites.
Description:
This report addresses the application of low concentration hydrogen peroxide vapor for the remediation of surfaces contaminated with the persistent chemical warfare agents VX and sulfur mustard (HD) and the pesticide (and chemical warfare agent surrogate) malathion. A low concentration hydrogen peroxide vapor environment can be created using low-cost indoor humidity control systems. Here, the focus is on the concentration and fumigation requirements to achieve high efficacy through degradation of the selected chemicals by the hydrogen peroxide vapor.