Evaluation of Fourth Generation Agent Sample Collection from Surfaces, Water, and Soil
Citation:
Willison, S., M. Magnuson, L. Oudejans, T. Malloy, A. Dindal, Z. Willenberg, D. See, C. Dodds, W. Hayes, M. Corlew, M. Grzeskowiak, J. Smith, AND J. Vasko. Evaluation of Fourth Generation Agent Sample Collection from Surfaces, Water, and Soil. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-23/118, 2023.
Impact/Purpose:
The Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response (CESER) within the Office of Research and Development (ORD) conducts applied, stakeholder-driven research and provides responsive technical support to help solve the Nation’s environmental challenges. An example of an environmental challenge is recovering from a Fourth Generation Agent (FGA) environmental incident, similar to that in Salisbury, UK in 2018. This report summarizes sampling results of a FGA to determine the sample collection efficiencies from environmental matrix types (e.g., surfaces, water, and soil). Sampling parameters included the evaluation of three different wipe materials and two different wipe wetting solvents to determine optimal sampling efficiencies for the tested surface matrix types. An unconventional sampling procedure involving two different strippable coatings applied to the contaminated surface was also evaluated. Three soil types, three water types (from drinking water utilities), and three surface types were also tested. The results are documented and discussed and intend to benefit remediation personnel during such an incident.
Description:
Lack of surface sampling and analysis methods are available to identify potential toxic byproducts of Novichok agents. While Novichok agents were sampled and analyzed, there was not much information to support and/or investigate potential breakdown/byproducts from environmental F&T or decontamination processes used in Salisbury. This research will aim to address these gaps during an incident for an environmental response with a Novichok.