R&D center designs new tests for decontaminants.

• Position: SECURITY BEAT: Homeland Defense Briefs

The Army's Edgewood Chemical Biological Center in Aberdeen, Md., has developed a new test method that will allow military and medical communities to better assess the performance of decontaminants.

The testing standard was developed by Jose-Luis Sagripanti, senior biochemistry research advisor at ECBC. The test has been adopted as the new international standard by the American Society for Testing and Materials.

The three-step method has been used in the investigation of anthrax mail attacks in the United States, as well as in military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The Defense Department continues to search for more effective testing methods for decontaminants, which are used to eliminate potentially deadly agents from military equipment returning from the battlefield, such as Humvee trucks, protective suits and gas masks.

The testing technology will expand to civilian use, officials said.

"The three-step method has applications for an important commercial segment that needs testing and evaluation of decontaminant, sporicidal and sterilant agents for defense, food processing and medical applications, as well as for bactericidal soaps, lotions, cleaners, paints and...