Office of Research and Development Publications

Chlorine Exposure During a Biological Decontamination Study in a Mock Subway Tunnel

Citation:

Archer, J., R. DeVries, AND A. Imler. Chlorine Exposure During a Biological Decontamination Study in a Mock Subway Tunnel. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE. Taylor & Francis, Inc., Philadelphia, PA, 16(7):., (2019).

Impact/Purpose:

The purpose of this field study was to expand the understanding of the effectiveness of different biological decontamination (decon) methods and strategies by testing them in a field setting. Personal exposure to chlorine vapor was monitored during a phase of the study that involved decon using low pressure spraying. The goal of the monitoring was to conduct an exposure assessment of personnel conducting the mock subway tunnel decon. There is currently little information in the published literature regarding personal exposure of emergency response workers during biologically-contaminated surface decon. Information obtained through this study can be used by EPA emergency responders, federal partners, and local and state emergency response groups, to assist with decontamination decision making following a real-world event.

Description:

The Underground Transport Restoration (UTR) Operational Technology Demonstration (OTD) was a full-scale study focused on remediation of a subway system after contamination with a Bacillus anthracis (Ba) surrogate (Bacillus atrophaeus, subspecies globigii [Bg]). The study involved all aspects of remediation of a subway system tunnel contaminated with a biological surrogate, including pre-decontamination (characterization) and post-decontamination (clearance) sampling and waste management. The primary OTD objective was to expand the understanding of the operational effectiveness of decontamination (decon) methods and strategies by testing them in a field study. As an additional data collection effort, personal exposure to chlorine gas was monitored throughout the decontamination portion of the study.