The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) has been working to develop standardized test methods for determining the efficacy of liquid decontaminants against bio-warfare agents on hard or porous surfaces. The method requirements include testing liquid contaminants at an increased challenge level with reduced contact times, testing on a wide range of materials, and with minimal manipulation of the sample. The need for reproducible assays and standard methods for testing is recognized within the Department of Defense and Environmental Protection Agency test communities. The objective of this project was to develop, standardize, and verify a method for evaluating the efficacy of liquid decontaminants on surfaces and coatings for select biological toxins. Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay was selected as the method of analysis for the protein biotoxins and Enzyme-linked Immunosorbant Assay was used for the molecular toxins. Analysis of the data generated: (1) standard curves; (2) baseline recovery data on four military-relevant surfaces; (3) percent recovery of C. botulinum Type A toxin complex, Ricin, Aflatoxin, and T-2 mycotoxin on four surfaces after treatment with the liquid decontaminants 10% bleach, DF-200, or HTH. Verification was successfully completed by repetitive sampling and analysis. Preliminary testing for validation was accomplished by comparing the reproducibility of the test results using a different method of analysis, liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, at an alternate laboratory (Dugway Proving Ground). The method generated provides a standard for efficacy testing of liquid decontaminants against biotoxins that will be recommended for incorporation into the TOP 8-2-061.
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