An innovative Fuller’s earth-based film-forming formulation for skin decontamination, through removal and entrapment of an organophosphorus compound, paraoxon-ethyl

Abstract

Organophosphorus compounds (OPs), such as VX, pose a significant threat due to their neurotoxic and hazardous properties. Skin decontamination is essential to avoid irreversible effects. Fuller’s earth (FE), a phyllosilicate conventionally employed in powder form, has demonstrated decontamination capacity against OPs. The aim of this study was to develop a formulation that forms a film on the skin, with a significant OP removal capacity (>95 %) coupled with sequestration capabilities, favorable drying time and mechanical properties to allow for easy application and removal, particularly in emergency context. Various formulations were prepared using different concentrations of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), FE and surfactants. Their removal and sequestration capacity was tested using paraoxon-ethyl (POX), a chemical that simulates the behavior of VX. Formulations with removal capacity levels surpassing 95 % were mechanically characterized and cell viability assays were performed on Normal Human Dermal Fibroblast (NHDF). The four most promising formulations were used to assess decontamination efficacy on pig ear skin explants. These formulations showed decontamination levels ranging from 84.4 ± 4.7 % to 96.5 ± 1.3 %, which is equivalent to current decontamination methods. These results suggest that this technology could be a novel and effective tool for skin decontamination following exposure to OPs.