Just got a Chem-bio handbook designed for first responders. Note that some decon materials are available at K-Mart (hypochlorite [bleach]; calcium hypochlorite [pool treatment]; garden sprayer; garbage cans; sponges; brushes; and, gloves, etc.). Going shopping. Any other info or discussion would be appreciated. M

-- Meandi (Anybody@else.com), November 07, 1999

Answers

Don't forget a plastic children's wading pool to stand in while perfroming your decon. You need to control where any contamination goes and trapping it in wading pool is actually what has been used for several years by state and federal emergency response teams.

I thought I was gonna bust a gut the time I saw a California DOT HAZMAT team break out a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle wading pool for their decon location set-up. But they got them on sale and it saved the taxpayers some cash.

WW

-- Wildweasel (vtmldm@epix.net), November 07, 1999.

Yeah, I've been thinking about buying a copy of that book too. Bleach sounds like a sufficient disinfectant and I have some but would sure like to find a source of "Envirochem" disinfectant too which is supposed to be the best. The pool is a good tip (I figured any pathogens washed off my suit would be killed by the disinfectant). Any live pathogens washed into the pool would likely be killed (by UV in sunlight) long before the water in the pool evaporated assuming the pool was out in the open.

Besides a source for envirochem I also need to know how dillute the bleach water solution should be.

A few thoughts....at www.sportsmansguide.com they have military, size medium, rubber gloves with liners for about $7 for 10 pair (only one size though)...I purchased class #1 gloves (4mm to use as liners) rated for pathogens at www.gemplers.com for $20/box of 100 (as well as rubber boots, tyvek hooded suits, etc.). We have MCU series masks that use the 40mm cartridges....Have some new in the can U.S. filters for these but am also buying what I'm are Israeli C-2 spec NBC filters from one source for $5 (www.cheaperthandirt.com) and less than $3 (quantity 12) from another. If this latter source provides a good product I'll post the info here...expecting 2 filter shipments next week. Cheaper also has gloves, hoods to use w/ M17 masks, boot covers and MOPP suits.

I'm also looking for sources of info on using UV light sources (such as the germicidal fluorescent tubes from Graingers) for killing various bugs/virii. Would like to find out how to calc the UV intensity levels needed, exposure (air/suited humans) at what level vs. time for effectiveness, safety issues, etc. Barely know what questions to ask...but I'm learning.

P.S.- Any tyvek suits should be coated and also have taped and sealed seams. Best of luck to all of us....DCK

-- Don Kulha (dkulha@vom.com), November 07, 1999.

Thanks for the info WW and DCK. The info I have on the bleach solution says .5% for patient decon and 5% for equipment. It refers to calcium hypochlorite...(I did go shopping and couldn't find a thing at 3 stores! I guess either out of season or some other reason.) It says you can use 5% on skin if washed-off within 10 minutes. Further it says 6 ounces (170 g) of calcium hypochlorite to 5 gallons (19 liters) of water to make the .5%. Add 8 times that to make the 5%. It says to make it fresh.

I also have some masks (on back order) and some fancy sort of filters in addition. I'll dig up the info on those if you're interested. I'll try to see what I can find re your questions/suggestions.

Should've bought that Ninja Turtle pool during the summer!

Thanks again, M

-- Meandi (Meagain@de.con), November 07, 1999.

Just a further note...I notice that the amounts of calcium hypochlorite to water are given, but the product used is not specified...one product has 65% and the other has 67% calcium hypochlorite. I don't know if that would make a difference. I gather this is to remove chemicals.

A funny note is that they mention putting dry powders (soap detergents, earth, and flour) on your skin to reduce the chemical that could travel through your skin. Flour followed by wiping with a wet tissue was effective against various agents. Better have some of that wheat ground!

It would certainly be worth our efforts to compare info or find another source.

We might want to move to Preps?

M

-- Meandi (Meagain@decon.treatment), November 07, 1999.

Meandi ... That dry flour followed by wet tissue is probably to fill the skin pores thru which ths toxins could more easily enter the body. Eagle

-- Hal Walker (e999eagle@freewwweb.com), November 08, 1999.

Thanks for the info on dilution rates Meandi....good info.

Got an MCU series NBC mask in large today (Cost $99 delivered) used but in superb condition. I was very pleased to find an MCU overhood included in the mask bag (have bought 3 masks previously from these folks and didn't get one of these). Very pleased in that I've seen these listed for $40-50 seperatly.Still awaiting my two filter shipments to evaluate these sources which I'll report on.

Still looking for envirochem disinfectant.....DCK

-- Don Kulha (dkulha@vom.com), November 08, 1999.