Biocatalytic nerve agent detoxification in fire fighting foams

Current events across the globe necessitate rapid technological advances to combat the epidemic of nerve agent chemical weapons. Biocatalysis has emer ged as a viable tool in the detoxification of organophosphorus neurotoxins, such as the chemical weapons VX and sarin. Efficient detoxification of con taminated equipment, machinery, and soils are of principal concern. This st udy describes the incorporation of a biocatalyst (organophosphorus hydrolas e, E.C. 3.1.8.1) into conventional formulations of fire fighting foam. The capacity of fire fighting foams to decrease volatilization of contained con taminants, increase surface wettability, and control the rate of enzyme del ivery to large areas makes them useful vehicles for enzyme application at s urfaces. The performance of enzyme containing foams has been shown to be no t only reproducible but also predictable. An empirical model provides reaso nable estimations for the amounts of achievable surface decontamination as a function of the important parameters of the system. Theoretical modeling illustrates that the enzyme-containing foam is capable of extracting agent from the surface and is catalytically active at the foam-surface interface and throughout the foam itself. Biocatalytic foam has proven to be an effec tive, "environmentally friendly" means of surface and soil decontamination. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.