Optimization of formulation components and evaluation of 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES) removal efficiency of a PVA/Fuller’s Earth/surfactant-based skin decontamination gel
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54939/1859-1043.j.mst.110.2026.84-91Keywords:
Vesicants; Sulfur mustard; CEES; Skin decontamination.Abstract
Vesicants are chemical warfare agents that pose severe risks to human health upon exposure, particularly in military contexts. This study presents an optimized hydrogel comprising Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), Fuller’s earth, and decyl glucoside for the rapid ex vivo decontamination of 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES), a sulfur mustard simulant, from porcine skin. The formulation synergizes the polymeric matrix of PVA, the adsorption capacity of Fuller’s earth, and the micellar solubilization of decyl glucoside. Residual CEES was quantified via GC-MS. Using a Box-Behnken design and Response Surface Methodology (RSM), the impact of component ratios on dynamic viscosity and decontamination efficiency (DE) was analyzed. Results revealed that DE is driven by the significant quadratic effects of individual components, rather than linear viscosity trends or pairwise interactions. The optimal formulation (9.0 wt% PVA, 11.7 wt% Fuller’s earth, and 2.1 wt% decyl glucoside) achieved a maximum DE of 96.5%. These findings confirm the proposed gel as a highly effective, rapid-response countermeasure for vesicant exposure, validating the role of RSM in formulation design.
References
[1]. Sidell F. R., et al., “Medical aspects of chemical and biological warfare”, The Surgeon General at TMM Publications, Borden Institute, (1997).
[2]. K. Chmielinska., et al., “Environmental Contamination with Persistent Cyclic Mustard Gas Impurities and Transformation Products”, Global Security: Health. Science and Policy, Vol. 4(1), pp. 14-23, (2019).
[3]. Clarkson. E. D., & Gordon. R. K., “Rapid Decontamination of Chemical Warfare Agents from the Skin”, Handbook of Toxicology of Chemical Warfare Agents, Academic Press, pp.1127-1139, (2015).
[4]. Cao. Y., et al., “In vitro human skin permeation and decontamination of 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES) using Dermal Decontamination Gel (DDGel) and Reactive Skin Decontamination Lotion (RSDL)”,Toxicology Letters, Vol 291, pp.86–91, (2018).
[5]. Cao. Y. et al., “Binding affinity and decontamination of dermal decontamination gel to model chemical warfare agent simulants”, J. Appl. Toxicol, 38(5), pp. 724–733, (2018).
[6]. Thomas. E. et al., “CeO2-based peelable gel for neutralization and skin decontamination toward chemical warfare agents”, Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 687, 133520, (2024).
[7]. Toader. G. et al., “Eco-Friendly Peelable Active Nanocomposite Films Designed for Biological and Chemical Warfare Agents Decontamination”, Polymers, 13(22), 3999, (2021).
[8]. Vu. N. D., Vu. Q. H., Nguyen. T. V.,& Nguyen. B. C., “Efficacy of a DCBRN-01VN skin decontaminant on animals exposed to 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide”, Journal of Science and Technique – Section on Physics and Chemical Engineering, Vol 1(2), pp. 85 -101, (2023).
[9]. Schmid-Wendtner MH. Korting HC, “The pH of the skin surface and its impact on the barrier function”, Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, Vol 19(6), pp.296–302. (2006).
[10]. Peppas. N.A., Bures. P., Leobandung. W., Ichikawa. H., “Hydrogels in pharmaceutical formulations”, Eur. J. Pharm, Biopharm, Vol 50, pp. 27–46, (2000).
[11]. Tadros. T.F.,“Rheology of dispersions and topical formulations”, Adv. Colloid Interface Sci., Vol 168, pp.263–277, (2010).
[12]. Rosen. M. J., Kunjappu. J. T., “Surfactants and Interfacial Phenomena”, 4th ed.; Wiley: New York, (2012).
[13]. Chan. H. P., et al., “Skin decontamination: principles and perspectives”, Toxicology and Industrial Health, 29(10), pp. 955-968, (2012).
[14]. Beltran. O. et al., “Structural modification of regenerated fuller earth and its application in the adsorption of anionic and cationic dyes”, DYNA, 82, pp.165-171, (2015).
[15]. Shlomit Dachir, et al., “Chapter 7 Fuller’s Earth: Old and Faithful Skin Decontaminant Against Toxic Agents”,Skin Decontamination A Comprehensive Clinical Research Guide, pp.101-120, (2020).
