Utilizing a one-atmosphere uniform glow discharge plasma for chemical/biological warfare agent decontamination

Summary form only given, as follows. An innovative approach to the decontamination of chemical and/or biological warfare agents is described. This recently developed technology involves utilizing a one atmosphere uniform glow discharge plasma (OAUGDP) as the decontaminant/sterilant. The plasma provides a very powerful but environmentally safe oxidizing and disinfecting technique without the use of strong chemicals (chlorine bleach) or high temperatures (autoclaving). Initial laboratory results indicate a greater than six log kill of bacteria in under one minute, significantly faster than autoclaving. In addition, the highly ionizing nature of the plasma discharge is expected to quickly degrade chemical agents through energetic bond breaking mechanisms. The active species of the air plasma are nonpersistent and are expected to revert to the components of atmospheric air. Selected simulants for the highly toxic agents were exposed to the OAUGDP and the sterilizing/decontamination effect quantified.