In vitro decontamination efficacy of the RSDL® (Reactive Skin Decontamination Lotion Kit) lotion component against riot control agents: Capsaicin, Mace™ (CN) and CS.

The study examined the degradation of riot control agents (RCAs): 2-chloroacetophenone (CN), 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile (CS), and capsaicin, using the Reactive Skin Decontamination Lotion Kit (RSDL®) lotion and evaluated the the direct liquid phase reactivity of the RSDL lotion component with each RCA. RSDL lotion was mixed with the selected RCAs at different molar ratios. Reactivity of the active ingredient potassium 2,3-butanedione monoximate (KBDO) with the RCA was observed for one hour. Samples of 10 μL were taken and quenched, analyzed for residual RCA using LC-MS. CN, was degraded at molar ratios of two and above in less than 2 min. At a molar ratio of 1:1 KBDO:CN, ∼90 % of CN was degraded within 2 min, the remaining 10 % residual CN was observed for one hour without any change. CS, degradation of more than 68 % of CS was achieved at 20:1 M ratio of KBDO:CS within 1 h of reaction time. For capsaicin, no degradation was observed regardless of the higher molar ratios of up to 20:1 and longer reaction times of up to one hour. This study provides evaluation of neutralizing action of the RSDL lotion without assessment of the physical removal component by the RSDL Kit.