Methods are described for detecting chemical warfare agents that contain organophosphorus compounds. Compositions containing either (1) a sufficient amount of phosphonate ester hydrolase with an alkali agent or (2) a sufficient amount of phosphonate ester hydrolase, a sufficient amount of organophosphorus hydrolase and a sufficient amount of a organophosphorus acid anhydrolase, may be utilized to test for organophosphorus compound-containing chemical warfare agents. These enzymes will react with such chemical warfare agents to produce degradation products, specifically phosphonate esters.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This patent application is related to patent application Ser. No. 10/131,946 which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
The present invention relates to a near-universal non-corrosive, non-toxic, environmentally safe and user friendly decontaminant capable of detoxifying organophosphorus (OP)-based G-type, V-type neurotoxic chemical warfare, sulfur-mustard, and related OP based hazardous industrial materials in a dry powder form. The decontaminant contains OPH enzyme, OPAA enzyme, DFPase enzyme, dehalogenase enzyme, quaternary ammonium salt, a pH control reagent, a fire-fighting agent, and a foaming agent. The decontaminant is mixed with available water for use.
