Rethinking Hospital Decontamination: Why Dry Decon Belongs in Your Emergency Plan

In the event of a chemical incident or mass casualty event, hospitals must act quickly to protect patients, staff, and infrastructure. Traditional water-based technical decontamination has long been a standard protocol, but it brings limitations—especially during high-pressure scenarios where rapid, scalable response is critical. 

Today’s global threat landscape—including geopolitical unrest, volatile chemicals, and large-scale gatherings like the upcoming World Cup—requires hospitals, particularly mass casualty centers and Level 1 trauma facilities, to reassess their decontamination protocols and emergency tools. 

That’s why hospitals in the USA, Sweden, Canada, and Singapore are turning to dry emergency decontamination solutions like FAST-ACT—a ready-to-use, waterless system designed for speed, safety, and real-world use during chemical, mass casualty incidents. 

Limitations of Traditional Decon During Mass Events 

In a Preparedness and Response environment, relying solely on water-based cleanup procedures can be risky and impractical. In the case of chemical agent exposure or the use of volatile chemicals, time is critical—and water may not always be the most effective or safest solution. 

• Indoor settings and winter conditions may prevent use of showers or rinse stations. 
• Rinse runoff increases the risk of secondary contamination and must be treated as hazardous waste. 
• Water exposure can damage sensitive equipment and worsen wounds. 
• Setup time can delay essential treatment and care to survivors. 
• Water-based systems may not scale effectively for mass events. 

These scenarios highlight the urgent need for a form of decontamination that is fast, portable, and easy to deploy—without compromising safety. 

For more information on Wet vs. Dry decontamination, read more.  

What Is Dry Decontamination? 

Dry decontamination is a method that uses absorbent materials and active drying agents to neutralize and/or remove chemical threats from skin, hair, surfaces and clothing without the need for water. It’s a proven solution for the safe removal of hazardous agents, especially when water is unavailable or poses additional risks. 

What Tools Are Included in FAST-ACT? 

The FAST-ACT products designed for contaminant removal and rapid decontamination and neutralization during chemical incidents: 

• FAST-ACT 400g Pressurized Cylinder
  Enables full-body removal of contamination via dry powder spray. The powder binds and neutralizes toxic chemicals. 

• FAST-ACT Decontamination Mitts
  These single-use, CE certified mitts are ideal for survivor decontamination on intact skin. They allow staff to pat—not scrub—contaminated areas, providing a quick, targeted solution with minimal irritation or discomfort. 

• FAST-ACT Decontamination Wipes
  CE Certified, these wipes offer safe removal of contaminants and are ideal for use when more delicate application is needed. 

Each component is designed for use by trained health care providers and emergency staff, with minimal setup or infrastructure required. 

Evidence-Based Performance 

FAST-ACT has been independently evaluated and confirmed as effective for contaminant removal and rapid decontamination: 

• Reduced chemical contamination levels to below NATO safety thresholds 
• Did not interfere with essential treatment or wound healing 
• Can be safely used on unconscious or non-responsive patients with basic respiratory protection 
• Backed by third-party toxicity testing demonstrating FAST-ACT is non-toxic to eyes, skin, and lungs—proven safe for personnel exposure during use. 

This allows hospitals to incorporate FAST-ACT into their decontamination procedural plans with confidence and clinical support. 

Scalable, Practical, and Grant-Eligible 

With minimal infrastructure required and scalable deployment, FAST-ACT supports hospital needs during mass events, chemical incidents, or planned large gatherings. Many hospitals are now evaluating it as a cost-effective tool for improving Preparedness and Response strategies. 

What’s Next 

In Part 2 of this series, we will break down the official Hospital SOP for FAST-ACT, offering a detailed look at how trauma hospitals are implementing dry decontamination in real-world emergency scenarios. 

For more information on how FAST-ACT can fit into your hospital’s Preparedness and Response plan, reach out to our team.