Snider, T.H., J.D. Waugh, and J.P. Skvorak. Characterization of Nerve Agent Penetration Through Porcine and Human Skin and the Efficacy of A Fielded Decontaminant. The Toxicologist 1999. 48(1S): 79. Abstract #370.

Pinacolyl methylphosphonofluoridate - 00096-46-0;

The chemical warfare nerve agents, pinacolyl methylphosphonofluoridate (GC) and O-ethyl S-2-diisopropylaminoethylmethylphosphonothiolate (VX), are potent cholinesterase inhibitors that are rapidly absorbed through skin. Studies were performed dosing dermatomed skin in an in vitro skin penetration model, the RCR Low-Flow Cell, to determine (1) the effect of -70 C cryopreservation on the penetration rates of GC and VX through cryopreserved human skin, and (3) the decontamination efficacy of the powder fielded in the U.S. Army M291 decontamination pack against GC and VX applied onto cryopreserved human skin. The two endpoints used to assess agent skin penetration were (1) the time period between agent application and significant inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AchE) added to the receptor fluid, and (2) gas chromatographic assay for agent extracted from the receptor fluid. Cryopreservation of porcine skin slightly but significantly slowed GD by not VX penetration. There was no significant difference between the mean times of human skin penetration, as measured by AchE inhibition, of GD (9.3 min) and VX (13.9 min). The M291 powder significantly reduced the amount of both agents that penetrated cryopreserved human skin.