Personal Decontamination Kit (Developed by DRDE Gwalior)

Chemical decontamination converts the toxic CWAs into innocuous products which can be handled safely, whereas in the physical process they are just removed from the site. Chemical decontamination procedures include nucleophilic reactions, electrophilic reaction (oxidations), thermal destruction, and photochemical and radiochemical reactions. In general, sodium hydroxide dissolved in organic solvent breaks down most substances, but should not be used in decontaminating skin other than in extreme emergencies when alternative means are not available. Chloramines are effective against mustard and V agents, but ineffective against G agents. Soda solution renders nerve agents of G type harmless, but as far as V agents are concerned, it produces a product, which is as toxic as the original substance.