One of my trainers, a surgeon, once put it simply, “the solution to pollution is dilution”. Well that might work for a wound infection, but it doesn’t address the growing concerns regarding the impact that bacterial and chemical contaminants have on our environment. Simply washing these problems “down the drain” is no longer acceptable. Our planet has shown the ability, to some extent, to neutralize biological contaminants, but has struggled with chemical pollution and now we are seeing more incidents of invasive waterborne bacterial and viral infections arising from our waterways. I recently spoke to a gentleman who suffered a relatively minor skin laceration while working on his boat in a nearby river. Within a few hours he was hospitalized with sepsis and necrotizing fasciitis requiring intensive care medicine, a prolonged hospital stay and subsequent multiple surgeries. He was very close to losing his arm not to mention his life and, most likely will have diminished use of that limb.

How these issues impact our public safety divers should be clear. We call upon these dedicated souls to go into environments that most of us wouldn’t want to touch with the proverbial ten foot pole, swim around in it for awhile and then get out bringing the mess with them. Now what do we do? Hosing down procedures might dilute the contaminants, but may only serve to spread these substances and create disposal issues. Adding chemical detergents and disinfectants have been effective in many circumstances, but unless chosen carefully these agents may end up being a pollutant themselves.

I recently saw a demonstration of a product that may be extremely useful for these situations and I would like to present the product information here:
When confronted with chemical or biological contamination, Intelagard equipment and EasyDECON DF200 provide an effective and comprehensive response. Public Safety Drysuit and easyDECON

EasyDECON DF200 is ideal for dive gear and drysuit decontamination:

* Expands the decontamination solution and provides even coverage to maximize contact with the contaminant
* Provides visual reference for coated surfaces so you can see what has been decontaminated
* EasyDECON DF200 is an environmentally friendly, non-chlorine based formula registered with the EPA and is completely biodegradable. Run off from the decontamination process does not need to be contained.
* Scientifically proven to be safe to use on all types of dive gear including personal protective gear, rubber, nylon, plastics, metal and fabrics
* Provides one step definitive decontamination against biological contaminants
* Best of all, EasyDECON DF200 decontamination solution is capable of killing or neutralizing a broad range of biological and chemical contaminants including those most likely to be encountered by public safety divers.
* Here is a partial list of those contaminants that DF200 will effectively decontaminate:
E.coli
Chlorine
Salmonella
Hydrogen Cyanide
Pfiesteria
Organophosphates such as fertilizers and pesticides
Giardia
Malathion
Fungus and Molds
Bacteria, tissues and odor from decomposition
Ammonia

And many more. Contact us if you have a question about a specific type of contaminant.

Easy Decontamination on a public safety dry suit. While EasyDecon DF200 does not neutralize hydrocarbons, it is a surfactant and will repel hydrocarbons for further definitive decontamination.

This revolutionary technology is available in a variety of containers such as the 22 ounce Personal Incident Decontamination (PID) Spray, 5-gallon pail kits, 100-gallon drum kits and 500-gallon tote kits. PID units can decontaminate approximately 1-2 divers and their gear while 5 gallons will decontaminate 10 divers and their gear.

DF200 should always be used at 100% strength to maximize its effectiveness.

EasyDECON DF200 is non-corrosive and adds no environmental load to the appropriate clean up operation. Kill time occurs within 1 - 30 minutes after application. Dwell time will vary depending on contaminant and environmental conditions.

For specific information regarding DF200, please visit www.DUI-Online.com and view the following documents:

* Contaminant Comparison, EviroFoam Technologies, Inc.
* DF-200: An Enhanced Formulation for Decontamination and Mitigation of CBW Agents, Biological Pathogens, and Toxic Industrial Chemicals
* SANDIA Report: Inactivation of Various Influenza Strains to Model Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) with Various Disinfectant Chemistries
* Efficacy of Sandia National Laboratories DF-200 Against Food Borne Pathogens
* Listeria monocytogenes and Pseudomonas putida Biofilms Treated with Sandia National Laboratories Decon Foam-200
* Anti-Microbial Tests Conducted with DF-200
* Biodegradability of Easy Decon Using the CO2 Evolution Method
* Abstract Technical Report Envirofoam TechnologiesTM
* Usage of EasyDecon on Toxic Industrial Chemicals
* Summary of Biological Kill Test Results (Kinetic Testing)
* Material Safety Data Sheet

EasyDECON DF200 formula is licensed by Sandia National Laboratory and based on their technology. The
formulation has undergone extensive testing and meets or exceeds all of Sandia’s test criteria.

EasyDECON DF 200 Decontamination Solution has been successfully tested by the U.S. Military and a host of other accredited testing institutions on a number of live and simulated Chemical and Biological warfare agents.

These testing facilities include:

* ABC Laboratories Biodegradation Test Marine Corps Systems Command
* Battelle Research Institute (MARCORSYSCOM) (Live Agent)
* Central Command Urgent Needs Naval Surface Warfare Center
* Requirement Testing (Live Agent) (NAVSEA Dahlgren Division)
* Edgewood Chemical and Biological Rice University
* Center (ECBC) (Live Agent) Soldier Biological and Chemical Command
* Environmental Protection Agency (Live Agent) (SBCCOM)
* IIT Research Institute (Live Agent) West Desert Test Center (Dugway)
* Kansas State University (Live Agent) Proving Ground)

Intelagard and EasyDECON DF200 are powerful tools for any professional tasked with decontamination. When every moment counts, you’ll be glad you have the power of Intelagard and EasyDECON™ DF200.

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