AI Article Synopsis

  • Novichoks, a type of toxic chemical, pose significant environmental risks, and effective decontamination methods are crucial for their neutralization, particularly A-234, a nerve agent.
  • This study conducted detailed experiments using various analytical methods to examine A-234's persistence in the environment and the effectiveness of different decontaminants.
  • Results indicate that A-234 remains stable in sand and is resistant to many traditional decontaminants, but can be effectively neutralized within 30 minutes using specific agents like Oxone® and calcium hypochlorite.

Article Abstract

With the fact that there are Novichoks in the list of toxic chemicals by the Chemical Weapons Convention parties, it is necessary to develop methods of effective neutralization of the agents as well as for other organophosphorus toxic substances. However, experimental studies on their persistence in the environment and effective decontamination measures remain scarce. Therefore, here, we investigated the persistence behavior and decontamination methods of A-234 (ethyl N-[1-(diethylamino)ethylidene]phosphoramidofluoridate), a Novichok series, A-type nerve agent to assess its potential risk to the environment. Different analytical methods were implemented, including P solid-state magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), liquid P NMR, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and vapor-emission screening using a microchamber/thermal extractor with GC-MS. Our results showed that A-234 is extremely stable in sand and poses a long-lasting risk to the environment even when released in trace quantities. Moreover, the agent is not easily decomposed by water, dichloroisocyanuric acid sodium salt, sodium persulfate, and chlorine-based water-soluble decontaminants. However, it is efficiently decontaminated by Oxone® monopersulfate, calcium hypochlorite, KOH, NaOH, and HCl within 30 min. Our findings provide valuable insights for eliminating the highly dangerous Novichok agents from the environment.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131150DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

risk environment
8
chromatography-mass spectrometry
8
environment
5
elimination a-234
4
a-234 environment
4
environment decontaminants
4
decontaminants fact
4
fact novichoks
4
novichoks list
4
list toxic
4

Similar Publications

The primary approach to assessing monitored natural attenuation (MNA) is currently based on a conceptual model utilizing the total contaminant concentrations, assuming a single aqueous species. However, many contaminants, such as metals and radionuclide - including iodine, can exist in multiple species that behave chemically differently in the environment and can exist simultaneously. For example, radioiodine often occurs concurrently as three major aqueous species: iodide (I), iodate (IO), and organo-I, which undergo distinct attenuation pathways and exhibit markedly different mobility and geochemical behavior.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Emergency managers' challenges with wildfires and related cascading hazards in California.

J Environ Manage

January 2025

Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA; Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA; Department of Health, Society, and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA; Department of Population Health and Disease Prevention, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.

This study investigates the complexities faced by emergency managers in wildfire-prone areas to uncover pressing issues and potential solutions. Four themes are discerned through three focus group discussions with emergency managers from nine counties across California. First, there is unequal access to resources for both risk assessment and response, with counties that have fewer resources facing significant challenges in effectively managing wildfire risks.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Mutagenicity, DNA Repair Gene Polymorphism, and Differentially Expressed Plasma Protein Fractions among Textile Dyeing Workers.

J Occup Environ Med

November 2024

Industrial Medicine and Occupational Health, Public Health and Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess mutagenicity biomarkers among Egyptian textile dyeing workers, their alteration with gene polymorphism, and the changes in plasma proteins' expression.

Methods: Using a detailed questionnaire, a comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on 212 workers (106 textile dyeing exposed group and 106 control group). CBMN-Cyt assay, ERCC2 gene polymorphism, and plasma protein fractions were analyzed in workers' blood samples.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: The study investigated the effects of air pollutants on the incidence of acute angle-closure glaucoma (AACG) in Hefei, China.Methods: A combination of generalized additive models (GAM) and distributed lag non-linear models (DLNM) was used to explore the relationship between air pollutants and the incidence of AACG.Results: Exposure-response curves showed that exposure to PM2.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: Hotel workers are at risk for burnout. We tested the association between effort-reward imbalance (ERI) and burnout.

Methods: Participants were recruited through social media and completed an online survey.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!