Page 131 - JSOM Summer 2020

FIGURE 3 Predecontamination (left) and postdecontamination (Table 2). Furthermore, successful contaminant reduction was
(right) images representing successful contaminant reduction achieved in all replicates that underwent HPC (P < .0001) and
(≥ 50% contaminant removal).
leather was successfully decontaminated in all replications
(P < .0001) as shown in Table 2. Conversely, soaking did not
impact reduction (P = .26). Overall, successful contaminant
reduction (82.5%) was more common than failure (17.5%)
for phase 2.

TABLE 2 Impact of Cleanser on Canine Equipment
Decontamination During Phase 2
Failure a Success
Cleanser 0 1 2 3 P Value
Johnson’s b 0 5 5 10 .0414*
Dawn c 0 2 4 14 .0004*
FIGURE 4 Predecontamination (left) and postdecontamination Material
(right) images representing failed contaminant reduction
(< 50% contaminant removal). Leather 0 0 5 15 < .0001*
Nylon 0 7 4 9 .2632
Method
HPC d 0 0 2 18 < .0001*
Soak e 0 7 7 6 .2632
*Denotes statistical significance (P < .05).
a Scores were assigned as follows: 0 = <25% contamination reduction,
1 = 25%–50% contamination reduction, 2 = 51%–75% contami-
nation reduction, and 3 = >75% contamination reduction; effective
contaminant reduction was measured as either failure or success with
scores of 0 and 1 classified as failure (< 50% reduction), and scores of
2 and 3 classified as success (≥ 50% reduction).
b Johnson’s Head-To-Toe Baby Wash.
TABLE 1 Impact of Cleanser, Material, and Method on Canine c Dawn Ultra Dishwashing Liquid.
Equipment Decontamination During Phase 1 d HPC = 2-minute soak, followed by a 3-minute oscillating high-
Failure a Success pressure cleaning.
Soak = 2-minute agitation, 24-hour soak, followed by a 30-second
Cleanser 0 1 2 3 P Value e rinse.
Johnson’s b 6 6 4 1 .1435
Dawn c 2 6 9 1 .8145 Discussion
Simple Green d 8 7 3 0 .0075*
Material Strategies promoting effective decontamination of working
canine equipment used during deployed situations such as
Leather 8 5 4 1 .0963 combat operations or disaster response are lacking. Military
Nylon 7 6 5 0 .0963 working dog handlers receive significant training regarding
Biothane 1 8 7 1 1.0000 managing the safety and well-being of dogs in the field. How-
Method ever, the information and training to support proper decon-
A e 6 6 2 1 .1435 tamination of equipment lack necessary detail which may be
B f 4 7 6 1 .4807 provided by evidence-based protocols.
C g 6 6 6 0 .2379
*Denotes statistical significance (P < .05). These data are the first to examine the role that different ma-
a Scores were assigned as follows: 0 = < 25% contamination reduction, terials, cleansers, and cleaning methods may play in successful
1 = 25%–50% contamination reduction, 2 = 51%–75% contami- reduction of an oil-based contaminant from working canine
nation reduction, and 3 = > 75% contamination reduction; effective equipment. While none of the combinations tested in phase 1
contaminant reduction was measured as either failure or success with were associated with successful contaminant reduction, the in-
scores of 0 and 1 classified as failure (< 50% reduction), and scores of
2 and 3 classified as success (≥ 50% reduction). troduction of HPC in phase 2 significantly increased the likeli-
b Johnson’s Head-To-Toe Baby Wash. hood of successful contaminant reduction for both leather and
c Dawn Ultra Dishwashing Liquid. nylon materials.
d Simple Green Original.

e A = 5-minute soak, and a 30 second rinse.
f B = 5-minute soak, 30 second rinse, a second 5-minute soak, and a Contaminated environments are a major concern following
30-second rinse. deployed canine operations. While purposeful CBRNE expo-
g C = 3-minute soak, additional 2-minute agitation, followed by a 30- sure from combat or terrorist attack is quite rare in work-
second rinse. ing dogs, the potential for direct contact with toxic chemicals
including dioxins, hydrocarbons, and heavy metals released
to achieve effective contaminant reduction (66%) was more into the environment due to damaged infrastructure is quite
common than success (33%) for phase 1. high. In a recent study of combat-related deaths in 92 military
working dogs during Operation Enduring Freedom and Oper-
Phase 2 ation Iraqi Freedom, none were related to CBRNE exposure. 15
Greater frequency of successful contaminant reduction was
achieved across all cleaning methods and material types when Dioxin residues accumulated in rivers, canals, and storm wa-
either Dawn (P = .0004) or Johnson’s (P = .0414) was used ter and sewage drains can pose a significant risk to responders

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