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Scientists Announce Mustard Gas Neutralizer
Czech scientists have announced technology that they say could neutralize mustard gas used in a terrorist strike or on the battlefield, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported Friday (see GSN, June 13). The breakthrough was the result of two years of work on a NATO assignment by researchers at Masaryk University in Brno and the Czech Military Institute of Protection. “The enzyme (employed through our method) reacts within minutes, is able to split several molecules of mustard gas per second, and its decontaminating effect is expected to last for hours at an average temperature of 30 degrees Celsius,” said Jiri Damborsky of Masaryk University. “It has a longevity period of one year when stored at 4 degrees centigrade.” Previous agents used in mustard decontamination have also damaged the contaminated surface, Damborsky said. That does not appear to be the case with this substance. The enzyme must undergo further research and certification. If approved, it could be used as a gel or foam to decontaminate human and animal skin, structures, equipment and the environment, Military Institute scientist Frantisek Oplustil told RFE/RL (Tereza Nemcova, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Aug. 5).
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