Efficacy of RSDL® (Reactive Skin Decontamination Lotion) Kit in the Management of Acute Sulfuric Acid Burns in Rabbits

• Published in: Journal of military and veterans' health. Vol. 32; no. 2; pp. 8 - 16
• Main Authors: V Savransky, P Anantharam, L Cochrane, J Barry, J Mikler
• Format: Journal Article
• Published: Canberra Department of Defence 01.04.2024
• Subjects: Animal models; Decontamination (from gases, chemicals, etc.); Dermatotoxicology; Environmental aspects; Equipment and supplies; Irrigation water; Management; Methodology; Quality; Sulfuric acid industry; Wound healing
• ISSN: 1835-1271

RSDL (Reactive Skin Decontamination Lotion) Kit is approved for decontaminating chemical warfare agents and T-2 fungal toxins. This work aimed to investigate the efficacy of RSDL or water irrigation for sulfuric acid dermal decontamination against untreated control in rabbit models.Rabbits were randomly assigned to Groups 1 (no decontamination), 2 (water) or 3 (RSDL) and exposed to sulfuric acid (0.1 mL/3-4 cm2) for 30 seconds. Decontaminants remained on-site for 2 minutes. Decontamination efficacy with RSDL and water were similar. Wound pH was higher and erythema persisted longer after decontamination versus control. Oedema developed by Day 3 and resolved by Day 15 in all groups. Necrosis started by Day 3, and all wounds had necrosis by Day 21. Wound areas following decontamination were significantly smaller than controls. Microscopically, all wounds in all groups had full-thickness epidermal and dermal necrosis. In summary, RSDL and water were similarly effective in reducing wound size and increasing wound pH by Day 3 compared to controls. Histopathology data demonstrated similar tissue injury across all groups and showed no signs of wound healing after exposure. RSDL was a reliable decontamination method in the absence of immediate access to water.