The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) is trialling the NanoScale FAST-ACT Individual Decontamination Mitt for use by the Australian Defence Force against chemical warfare agents.
The FAST-ACT Individual Decontamination Mitt contains FAST-ACT (First Applied Sorbent Treatment – Against Chemical Threats) powder in a contained pad with a polyethylene backing.
The mitt slips over the user’s glove to apply free-flowing powder for chemical decontamination.
FAST-ACT can be safely applied to liquid contamination enabling soldiers and emergency responders to decontaminate their equipment when faced with a wide variety of known or unknown chemical hazards.
In June 2010 NanoScale Corporation was awarded a $30 million contract to supply the US Army with decontamination kits, which include the FAST-ACT mitt.
During 2011 the company will be producing 360 kits per hour, 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
NanoScale’s Australian distributor Enware Australia has the FAST-ACT mitts available for Australian industry, and is launching the product in India, Thailand and Singapore.