Method and Formulation for Neutralizing Toxic Chemicals and Materials

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a formulation and associated method for neutralizing one or more toxic chemical and/or materials including toxic industrial chemicals and toxic industrial materials, such as irritants, heavy metals, radioactive metals, acids and acid irritants, pesticides, and various agricultural chemicals, (collectively referred to as toxic chemical, materials, or simply toxins) as well as decontaminating surfaces that have come into contact with these agents. As a result, the formulation of the present invention can be used for neutralizing a broad spectrum of toxic chemicals and materials. In one embodiment, the active ingredient comprises 2,3, butanedione monoxime (also known as diacetyl monoxime (DAM)), and alkali salts thereof such as potassium 2,3-butanedione monoxime (KBDO). The formulation also typically includes a carrier in which the active ingredient is dispersed. In one embodiment, the carrier comprises polyethylene glycol (PEG); monomethoxypolyethylene glycol (mPEG); and combinations and derivatives thereof.

1 . A method for neutralizing a broad spectrum of toxic industrial chemicals and materials, the method comprising the steps of
 applying a composition having an active ingredient to a toxic industrial chemical or material to thereby neutralize said toxic industrial chemical or and material, wherein the active ingredient comprises one or more of 2,3-butanedione monoxime, an alkali salt thereof, and an alkaline earth salt thereof, or a derivative thereof, wherein the toxic industrial chemical or material is selected from one or more of 1,1′-bi(ethylene oxide), acrylonitriles, allyl alcohols, allyl chlorides, methyl mercaptan, sulfuric acid (H 2 SO 4 ), hydrochloric acid (HCl), hydrofluoric acid (HF), perchloric acid (HClO 4 ), hydrobromic acid (HBr), hydroiodic acid (HI), nitric acid (HNO 3 ), nitrous acid (HNO 2 ), acetic acid, hydrogen selenide, hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), acid byproducts of nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), phosphoric acids, acetic anhydride, maleic anhydride, mixed anhydrides, fluoroacetic acid, chloroacetic acid, and hydrazine.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the toxic industrial chemical or material is selected from the group consisting of 1,1′-bi(ethylene oxide), acrylonitriles, allyl alcohols, allyl chlorides, and methyl mercaptan. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the toxic industrial chemical or material is selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid (H 2 SO 4 ), hydrochloric acid (HCl), hydrofluoric acid (HF), perchloric acid (HClO 4 ), hydrobromic acid (HBr), hydroiodic acid (HI), nitric acid (HNO 3 ), nitrous acid (HNO 2 ), acetic acid, hydrogen selenide, hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), acid byproducts of nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), phosphoric acids, acetic anhydride maleic anhydride, mixed anhydrides, fluoroacetic acid, and chloroacetic acid. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the active ingredient is dispersed in a carrier that is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, monomethoxypolyethylene glycol, and polyethylene glycol ether. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the toxic industrial chemical or material is hydrazine. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition containing the active ingredient is applied in an amount ranging from about 1:1 to 20:1 based on the amount of toxic industrial chemical or material. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of neutralizing said toxic industrial chemical or material comprise sequestering said toxic industrial chemical or material. 
     
     
         11 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method of neutralizing a broad spectrum of pesticides, the method comprising:
 reacting a composition having an active ingredient with a pesticide to thereby neutralize said pesticide, wherein the active ingredient comprises one or more of 2,3-butanedione monoxime, an alkali salt thereof, and an alkaline earth salt thereof, and wherein the pesticide is selected from the group consisting of carbamates, organochlorine, and pyrethroids, wherein the carbamate is selected from the group consisting of 2-methyl-2-(methylthio)propionaldehyde O-methylcarbamoyloxime, 2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-7-benzofuranyl methylcarbamate, 3-hydroxycarbofuran, ethyl N-[2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethyl]carbamate, ethienocarb, aldicarb sulfone, aldicarb sulfoxide, butylate, S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate, methiocarb, methomyl, molinate, oxamyl, pebulate, propham, propoxur, thiobencarb, triallate, and 2-(1-methylpropyl)phenyl N-methylcarbamate.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the pesticide includes a carbamate selected from the group consisting of 2-methyl-2-(methylthio)propionaldehyde O-methylcarbamoyloxime, 2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-7-benzofuranyl methylcarbamate, 3-hydroxycarbofuran; ethyl N-[2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethyl]carbamate, ethienocarb, aldicarb sulfone, aldicarb sulfoxide, butylate, S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate, methiocarb, methomyl, molinate, oxamyl, pebulate, propham, propoxur, thiobencarb, triallate, and 2-(1-methylpropyl)phenyl N-methylcarbamate. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the composition is applied to the skin of a person in need thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the composition is a cream, a gel, or a lotion. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the active ingredient is dispersed in a carrier and wherein the method further comprises reacting the carrier with the pesticide to thereby sequester the pesticide. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the active ingredient is 2,3-butanedione monoxime or an alkali salt thereof, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the active ingredient comprises potassium 2,3-butanedione monoxime. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the composition further comprises a carrier in which the active ingredient is dispersed. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the active ingredient is dispersed in a carrier that is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, monomethoxypolyethylene glycol, and polyethylene glycol ether. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the composition containing the active ingredient is applied in an amount ranging from about 1:1 to 20:1 based on the amount of the pesticide. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the composition is for use in 1) protecting a skin surface prior to or after exposure to the pesticide, or 2) decontaminating a surface after exposure to the pesticide. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the active ingredient is 2,3-butanedione monoxime or an alkali salt thereof, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the active ingredient comprises potassium 2,3-butanedione monoxime.