Rapid Decontamination of Chemical Warfare Agents from the Skin

Medical decontamination of the skin should be suitable for a variety of biological surface detoxification and decontamination schemes for both chemical weapons and pesticides (known as organophosphates), such as those directed against cholinesterases. With the constant threat of chemical warfare, terrorist acts, or spilling of pesticides, the development of improved means of protecting individuals from exposure to these agents, and decontaminating them when they are exposed, is critical. An understanding of skin, the primary barrier to chemical warfare agents, is required to develop novel treatments post-exposure. Therefore, the skin is defined and explored in this chapter.