An anesthetized domestic swine model was used to compare the efficacy and cross-contamination potential of selected skin decontaminant products and regimens against the
chemical warfare agent,
VX. Animals topically exposed to 2x, 3x or 5x LD(50)
VX showed typical signs of
organophosphate nerve agent poisoning, including
miosis, salivation, mastication, dysrhythmias, and respiratory distress prior to death. Animals were exposed to 5x LD(50)
VX and then decontaminated 45 min later with the reactive skin decontamination lotion (RSDL),
Fuller's earth (FE), 0.5%
hypochlorite, or soapy water. Survival was 100% when the reactive skin decontamination lotion or FE was utilized, although 50% of
Fuller's earth-decontaminated animals exhibited serious signs of
VX poisoning. Decontamination of
VX-treated animals with 0.5%
hypochlorite was less effective but also increased survival. Soapy water was ineffective in preventing lethality. Blood
cholinesterase levels were not predictive of clinical outcome in decontaminated animals. The potential of "decontaminated"
VX in open
wounds to cause
poisoning was assessed by vigorously mixing 5x LD(50)
VX with the test decontaminants for 5 min and then placing the mixture onto a full-thickness skin
wound. Soapy water was ineffective in preventing lethality. Although treatment with dry
Fuller's earth prevented death and all signs of
organophosphate poisoning, a significant proportion of treated animals decontaminated with
Fuller's earth in aqueous
suspension exhibited serious signs of
organophosphate poisoning, suggesting that live agent may be desorbed from
Fuller's earth when it is exposed to a liquid environment. Animals treated with reactive skin decontamination lotion or 0.5%
hypochlorite-
VX mixtures showed no signs of
organophosphate poisoning during the 6- h test period.