By Dr. Jeremy Slagley
Air Force Institute of Technology

The 711th Human Performance Wing (711 HPW) of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has sponsored medical patient decontamination research at the Air Force Institute of Technology's Nuclear Expertise for Advancing Technologies (NEAT) Center since 2018. Because AFIT had already developed methods to estimate human exposure risk from residual chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) agents after medical patient decontamination, 711 HPW sponsored the NEAT Center to investigate decontamination options for Cold Region Expeditionary Medical Operations (CREMO). AFIT’s NEAT Center has a CRADA agreement for shared laboratory space at AV, Inc., in Beavercreek, Ohio.

As part of Air University’s broader mission to educate and develop joint warfighters, AFIT provides advanced academic education and research that prepares officers, enlisted members, civilians and international partners to apply technical expertise in real-world operational environments, supporting more informed and effective decision-making. 

AF Civil Engineer (32E) and USMC Environmental Engineering Management (8831) officers launched into the research, evaluating a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) mobile air shower system as well as modifying the existing Multiple-Use Research for Particulate Hazard and Environmental Exposure (MURPHEE) chamber (named for AFIT grad, Capt. Ed Murphy, Jr., of “Murphy’s Law”). Students used manikins and surrogate CBR agents with low hazard, comparing the air showers for ambulatory and litter-bound patients to other, traditional methods of decontamination. For surrogate biological and radiological dry aerosols, a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuum was used. For surrogate chemical agents, liquid and vapor absorption methods were used.  

The illustration and photo above show AFIT’s Multiple-Use Research for Particulate Hazard and Environmental Exposure (MURPHEE) chamber,
used in research to support research for the 711th Human Performance Wing of AFRL. (U.S. Air Force graphic and photo)

AFIT researchers showed that the COTS system for ambulatory patients approached 97-99% reduction in re-aerosolized risk for surrogate bio and rad dry aerosols, compared to 84-90% reduction for manual HEPA vacuuming. Litter-bound patient decontamination has been more difficult, achieving 90% reduction for biological surrogates, but performing worse than no decontamination for radiological surrogates. Air-based chemical agent decontamination removes the evaporated agent by 80% but does not remove the liquid agent from continuing to evaporate. The Air Combat Command Medical Modernization Office has asked the NEAT Center to develop a prototype transportable automated litter-bound patient decontamination system for CREMO environments in FY26-27.  

Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) mobile air shower system. (U.S. Air Force graphic and photo)

About AFIT

AFIT’s Graduate School of Engineering and Management (GSEM) provides in-residence and distance learning graduate degrees and certificates in engineering, applied science, mathematics and management. GSEM provides its students with several significant advantages, including a more personalized educational experience; academic programs with a defense-related focus, and research on high-priority defense problems.  

AFIT is located at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. AFIT’s mission is to educate defense professionals to innovatively accomplish the deterrence and warfighting missions of the USAF and USSF. AFIT’s vision is to lead defense-focused education, research and consultation to accelerate military superiority across all domains and is accomplished through operationally relevant advanced academic education, research, and professional continuing education. For more information, please visit the AFIT webpage or contact GSEM outreach at AFIT.EN.Outreach@us.af.mil.