Appendix D
DECONTAMINATION OF SPECIFIC SURFACES AND MATERIALS
This appendix should be used to determine how to decontaminate various surfaces Table D-1 lists specific surfaces or materials and briefly explains the representative methods of how to conduct a CBRN decontamination In turn detection and identification equipment must be used to check the completeness of decontamination
Table D-1 Decontamination Procedures for Specific Surfaces and Materials
Surface or Material
Types of Contamination and How to Decontaminate Chemical Biological Radiological
Asphalt roads Weather Flush with water Spray with an STB slurry from
the PDDE Cover with STB (pure form)
When liquid contamination is visible and personnel are nearby use STB dry mix
Cover small areas or paths across roads with 4 inches of earth
Weather (remain masked) Wet with water (will help prevent
secondary aerosols but does not decontaminate)
Pour spray or spread oil on the surface (suppresses dust and associated reaerosolization)
For critical but limited areas bull Spray with an STB slurry from
the PDDE bull Apply 2 household bleach
solution
Brush or sweep Flush with water (this may
drive some of the contamination into the surface waste must be controlled)
Clean with a vacuum
Roofs Weather Flush with water Spray with an STB slurry from
the PDDE Cover with STB (pure form)
When liquid contamination is visible and personnel are nearby use STB dry mix
Cover small areas or paths across roads with 4 inches of earth
Weather (remain masked) Wet with water (will help prevent
secondary aerosols but does not decontaminate)
Pour spray or spread oil on the surface (suppresses dust and associated reaerosolization)
For critical but limited areas bull Spray with an STB slurry from
the PDDE bull Apply 2 household bleach
solution bull Apply detrochlorite Leave it
on at least 30 minutes and then flush it with water
Brush or sweep Flush with water (this may
drive some of the contamination into the surface waste must be controlled)
Clean with a vacuum
Brick and stone roads
Weather Wash with soapy water
preferably hot Spray with an STB slurry from
the PDDE or apply with brushes and brooms Leave the slurry on for 24 hours and then flush it with water
Cover small areas or paths across roads with 4 inches of earth
Weather (remain masked) Wet with water (will help prevent
secondary aerosols but does not decontaminate)
Pour spray or spread oil on the surface (suppresses dust and associated reaerosolization)
For critical but limited areas bull Spray with an STB slurry from
the PDDE bull Apply 2 household bleach
solution
Brush or sweep Flush with water (this may
drive some of the contamination into the surface waste must be controlled)
Clean with a vacuum Use abrasion (sand
blasting) This provides direct and complete removal of contaminated dust however sand and equipment being used becomes contaminated
4 April 2006 FM 3-115MCWP 3-373NTTP 3-1126AFTTP(I) 3-260 D-1
Table D-1 Decontamination Procedures for Specific Surfaces and Materials (Continued)
Surface or Material
Types of Contamination and How to Decontaminate Chemical Biological Radiological
Brick and stone buildings bunkers gun emplacements and tank obstacles
Weather Wash with soapy water preferably
hot Spray with an STB slurry from the
PDDE or apply with brushes and brooms Leave the slurry on for 24 hours and then flush it with water
Use STB (pure form or dry mix) around buildings where wastewater runs
Weather (remain masked) Wet with water (will help
prevent secondary aerosols but does not decontaminate)
Pour spray or spread oil on the surface (suppresses dust and associated reaerosolization)
For critical but limited areas
bull Spray with an STB slurry from the PDDE
bull Apply 2 household bleach solution
bull Apply detrochlorite Leave it on at least 30 minutes and then flush it with water
Brush or sweep Flush with water (this may
drive some of the contamination into the surface waste must be controlled)
Clean with a vacuum Use abrasion (sand
blasting) This provides direct and complete removal of contaminated dust however sand and equipment being used becomes contaminated
Concrete roads Weather Spray with an STB slurry from the
PDDE Cover with an STB slurry or dry
mix Cover small areas or paths across
roads with 4 inches of earth Scrape the layer of contaminated
earth to the side of the road
Weather (remain masked) Wet with water (will help
prevent secondary aerosols but does not decontaminate)
Pour spray or spread oil on the surface (suppresses dust and associated reaerosolization)
For critical but limited areas
bull Spray with an STB slurry from the PDDE
bull Apply 2 household bleach solution
Brush or sweep Flush with water (this may
drive some of the contamination into the surface waste must be controlled)
Clean with a vacuum Use abrasion (sand
blasting) This provides direct and complete removal of contaminated dust however sand and equipment being used becomes contaminated
Earth roads gun emplacements bivouac areas pathways and bomb craters
Weather Spray with an STB slurry from the
PDDE Cover with STB (pure form)
When liquid contamination is visible and personnel are nearby use STB dry mix
Cover small areas or paths across roads with 4 inches of earth
Scrape the layer of contaminated earth to the side of the road
Weather (remain masked) Wet with water (will help
prevent secondary aerosols but does not decontaminate)
Pour spray or spread oil on the surface (suppresses dust and associated reaerosolization)
For critical but limited areas
bull Spray with an STB slurry from the PDDE
bull Apply 2 household bleach solution
bull Burn
Earthmoving (removal) Try to control contaminated dust as equipment may become contaminated Consider waste disposal
Sealing (with earth) Equipment may become contaminated
D-2 FM 3-115MCWP 3-373NTTP 3-1126AFTTP(I) 3-260 4 April 2006
Table D-1 Decontamination Procedures for Specific Surfaces and Materials (Continued)
Surface or Material
Types of Contamination and How to Decontaminate Chemical Biological Radiological
Grass fields low vegetation and open terrain
Weather Burn Spray with an STB slurry from the
PDDE Cover with STB (pure form or dry
mix) Explode drums of STB Clear paths through the area using
detonating cord or other detonating devices
Weather Burn Weather (remain masked) Wet with water (will help
prevent secondary aerosols but does not decontaminate)
Pour spray or spread oil on the surface (suppresses dust and associated reaerosolization)
For critical but limited areas
bull Spray with an STB slurry from the PDDE
bull Apply 2 household bleach solution
Earthmoving (removal) Try to control contaminated dust as equipment may become contaminated Consider waste disposal
Sealing (with earth) Equipment may become contaminated
Undergrowth tall grass meadows jungles and forests
Weather Burn (may cause a downwind vapor
hazard) Spray STB slurry with a PDDE Explode drums of STB Clear a path with detonating cord
bangalore torpedoes or demolition snakes
Weather (remain masked) Wet with water (will help
prevent secondary aerosols but does not decontaminate)
Pour spray or spread oil on the surface (suppresses dust and associated reaerosolization)
For critical but limited areas
bull Spray with an STB slurry from the PDDE
bull Apply 2 household bleach solution
Earthmoving (removal) Try to control contaminated dust as equipment may become contaminated Consider waste disposal
Sealing (with earth) Equipment may become contaminated
Sand beaches and deserts
Weather Flush with water Spread STB (pure form) or spray
STB slurry over the surface Cover paths with roofing paper Scrape off 2 to 4 inches of the
contaminated top layer
Weather (remain masked) Wet with water (will help
prevent secondary aerosols but does not decontaminate)
Pour spray or spread oil on the surface (suppresses dust and associated reaerosolization)
For critical but limited areas
bull Spray with an STB slurry from the PDDE
bull Apply 2 household bleach solution
Earthmoving (removal) Try to control contaminated dust as equipment may become contaminated Consider waste disposal
Sealing (with earth) Equipment may become contaminated
4 April 2006 FM 3-115MCWP 3-373NTTP 3-1126AFTTP(I) 3-260 D-3
Table D-1 Decontamination Procedures for Specific Surfaces and Materials (Continued)
Surface or Material
Types of Contamination and How to Decontaminate
Chemical Biological Radiological
Fabrics canvas covers tarpaulins tentage mask carriers web gear and clothing
Cotton NOTE Do not use for MOPP
gear Immerse in boiling soapy water
for 1 hour (1 pound of soap to 10 gallons of water) and stir
Use a 5 sodium carbonate solution for G agents
Immerse in boiling water for 1 hour
Launder by standard methods Use STB slurry Weather except for V agents Woolen Immerse in warm soapy water
(100oF) for 1 hour or longer with light agitation
Dry items slowly because the fabric may shrink
Cotton Boil in water for 15 minutes Immerse in a 2 household
bleach solution for 30 minutes and rinse immediately
Launder (destroys or inactivates all but highly resistant spores)
Woolen Launder (fabric may shrink)
Brushing removes contamination dust but it presents a dust hazard to personnel
Laundering is the most practical procedure however the fabric may shrink Try to control waste
Leather boots gloves belts and other nonsensitive items
Scrub with hot soapy water and rinse
Immerse in warm soapy water at 120degF for 4 hours and rinse
Use a 5 sodium carbonate solution for G agents
Aerate
Immerse in a 2 household bleach solution for 30 minutes followed by a water rinse and aeration
Equipment that should not be immersed can be wiped with hypochlorite or peracetic acid
Brush Flush with water or soapy
water
Glass windows and other glass surfaces (except lenses)
Use an IEDK Wash with hot soapy water Rinse with clear water or an
organic solvent Blot off the surface Air Weather
Use an IEDK Clean with chlorine or peracetic acid solutions
Use an IEDK Wash with a detergent Flush with water Wipe with solvents
Glass lenses Wash with hot soapy water Rinse with clear water or an
organic solvent Blot off the surface Air Weather
Wipe with alcohol or hypochlorite and remove it quickly with soap and water
Brush or wipe (be careful so as not to scratch the lens)
Use compressed air to blow the contamination from the surface
Metal (unpainted) ammunition
Wipe with soapy water Wipe with organic solvent and dry Aerate
Wipe with a 2 household bleach solution
Aerate
Brush or wipe
Metal (unpainted) machinery
Wipe with soapy water Wipe with organic solvent and dry Aerate
Weather Clean with soapy water
Brush or wipe Wash with a detergent Flush with water
D-4 FM 3-115MCWP 3-373NTTP 3-1126AFTTP(I) 3-260 4 April 2006
Table D-1 Decontamination Procedures for Specific Surfaces and Materials (Continued)
Surface or Material
Types of Contamination and How to Decontaminate Chemical Biological Radiological
Metal (painted) vehicles weapons and equipment
Use IEDK to decontaminate individual gear
Weather Wash with hot soapy water and
rinse Spray with STB slurry from the
PDDE remove it in 1 hour and oil the surface
Weather Wash with a detergent Steam-clean using a
detergent Apply STB slurry
Brush or wipe Wash Use organic solvents
caustic agents (not on aluminum or magnesium surfaces) complexing agents (of small value on weathered surfaces) or abrasives
Wood buildings vehicle bodies boxes crates and similar items
Apply STB slurry with the PDDE brooms or swabs
Let the slurry remain 12 to 24 hours then flush the surface with water Repeat the application and flush it again
Scrub with hot soapy water and rinse
Weather
Weather Apply STB slurry Apply detrochlorite to
vertical surfaces leave it on at least 30 minutes and then flush it with water
Wash the interior with large amounts of water (some contamination may soak into surfaces of unpainted wood)
Wipe the contamination from the surface
Plastics (opaque) insulation telephones and panel boards
Aerate Wash with hot soapy water and
rinse Weather
Wipe with hypochlorite or peracetic acid
Wipe or brush Wash with a detergent Flush with water
Plastics (transparent) eyepieces and airplane canopies
Aerate Wash with hot soapy water and
rinse Weather
Wipe with alcohol or hypochlorite and remove it quickly with soap and water
Wipe or brush Wash with a detergent Flush with water
Unsealed electronic equipment
Use a mild evaporative solvent such as alcohol
Use a mild detergent and water Rinse with distilled water Keep the solution out of
adjustable switches connectors and relays
Use hot-air blowers
Use a mild evaporative solvent such as alcohol
Use a mild detergent and water
Rinse with distilled water Keep the solution out of
adjustable switches connectors and relays
Use hot-air blowers
Wipe or brush Use hot-air blowers
Rubber (impermeable) aprons suits and other items
Immerse in soapy water (just below the boiling point) for 1 hour Do not agitate Rinse with clear water and hang to dry
Use a 10 sodium carbonate solution for G agents rinse and air
Apply hot soapy water with brushes and rinse
Spray with an STB slurry from the PDDE
Wash off with clear water after a few minutes
Immerse in a 2 household bleach solution for 30 minutes followed by a water rinse and aeration
Equipment that should not be immersed can be wiped with hypochlorite or peracetic acid
Brush Scrub or flush with water or
soapy water
4 April 2006 FM 3-115MCWP 3-373NTTP 3-1126AFTTP(I) 3-260 D-5