Military Develops "Green" Cleaners For Terrorist Attack Sites

An anonymous reader writes "Chemists with the US military have developed a set of ultra-strength cleaners to be used in the aftermath of a terrorist attack. The formulas are reportedly tough enough to get rid of nerve gas, mustard gas, radioactive isotopes, and anthrax. But they are also non-toxic, based on ingredients found in foods, cosmetics, and other consumer products."

Comments

Re:Remove or neutralize?

[orzetto]

Are radioactive isotopes harder to remove than your generic chocolate stain?

Considering most radioactive isotopes are heavy metals with a relatively "fuzzy" chemistry, which can easily become soft acids, yes, it's tougher than chocolate, as any student who attended an inorganic-chemistry course could confirm you. Ever tried removing stains of Mercurochrome?

Re:Am I alone in translating "green"

[drinkypoo]

Whenever I hear a product called "Green-" I always translate that to mean "inferior".

That's because you're either stupid or a troll. This is not a false dichotomy: there's no third way. For example, orange oil kills ants faster than poison, while mint oil kills yellowjackets faster than poison. Both smell nice and have zero nasty side effects even if you get them on your skin (they can cause irritation if not washed away, but that's about it.)

Isn't a massive terrorist attack causing widespread destruction likely to cause FAR more pollution than anything we'd have to do to clean up AFTER IT?

Your argument can be summed up as thus: If I have already been shot with a large-caliber weapon, who cares if I must be shot with a small-caliber weapon during surgery? Thus it is just as stupid as everything else you said.

The Power of Nightmares

[Anonymous Coward]

I am always reminded of that fine BBC documentary* about the, for lack of better words, ZOMG TERRORISTS scare that takes it's sweet time to dissipate. Probably because there is too much money to be made. Such as selling this kind of junk.

* Available on Google video http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2798679275960015727

Re:Am I alone in translating "green"

[drinkypoo]

I'm afraid I have to agree with the GP here. If I've been exposed to an NBC agent, I want something that I know works. I really don't care if it kills the grass I'm standing on.

The problem is that stuff that kills the grass you're standing on tends to get into the water table. Anyway, some of the decontamination products used today are probably not all that harmful, as you say; for example, if your humvee gets an agent sprayed on it, the official response is to wash it with a pressure washer and soap. Or, you know, so says the book.