Persistence of A-234 nerve agent on indoor surfaces

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60162694%3AG45__%2F25%3A00563261" target="_blank" >RIV/60162694:G45__/25:00563261 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141968" target="_blank" >https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141968</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141968" target="_blank" >10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141968</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Persistence of A-234 nerve agent on indoor surfaces

Original language description

Understanding the fundamental physical characteristics of extremely toxic compounds and their behavior across different environments plays a crucial role in assessing their danger. Additionally, this knowledge informs the development of protocols for gathering forensic evidence related to harmful chemicals misuse. In 2018, former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter were poisoned in Salisbury, England, with a substance later identified as the unconventional nerve agent A-234. Contamination with the compound was found on items inside Skripal's home. The aim of this paper was to determine the persistence of A-234 on selected indoor surfaces. Ceramics, aluminum can, laminated chipboard, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) floor tile, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle, acrylic paint and computer keyboard were used as matrices. The decrease in surface contamination and further fate of the compound was monitored for 12 weeks. Persistence determination involved optimizing the wipe sampling method. Simultaneously, evaporation from the surface and permeation of the contaminant into the matrix were closely monitored. The experimental findings indicate that the nerve agent exhibits remarkable persistence, particularly on impermeable surfaces. Notably, the process of A-234 evaporation plays a minor role in determining its fate, with detectable concentrations observed solely above solid, non-porous surfaces such as ceramics and aluminum can. The surface persistence half-life varied significantly, ranging from 12 minutes to 478 days, depending on the material. The article has implications for emergency response protocols, decontamination strategies, public health and crime scene investigations.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_SC - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the SCOPUS database

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

10500 - Earth and related environmental sciences

Project

—

Continuities

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2024

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Chemosphere

ISSN

0045-6535

e-ISSN

1879-1298

Volume of the periodical

357

Issue of the periodical within the volume

červen

Country of publishing house

GB - UNITED KINGDOM

Number of pages

8

Pages from-to

141968

UT code for WoS article

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EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-85190613298