EPA Research Partner Support Story: Decontaminant testing to effectively degrade fentanyl and its analogs
Partners: Indiana State Department of Health; Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and Massachusetts Department of Fire Services; Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan State Police Forensic Science Division and Western Wayne County (MI) Hazmat Team
Challenge: Remediation of indoor fentanyl contamination
Resource: Decontaminant testing to effectively degrade fentanyl and its analogs
Project Period: 2020 – 2024
Fentanyl, a drug typically used in healthcare settings to manage pain, has been increasingly used illegally to enhance other opioid drugs due to its inexpensive production cost and higher potency. As the popularity of fentanyl rises, so does the potential for contamination of indoor environments, which poses exposure risks to first responders. In most cases, a lack of awareness of the need and methods to decontaminate premises where fentanyl was found presents risks for re-entry or re-occupancy.
“EPA’s Office of Research and Development’s (ORD) bench-scale fentanyl decontamination research on surface decontamination options and personal protective gear decontamination will help the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) develop Clandestine Drug Lab Cleanup Guidance for fentanyl. The ORD research also helps MDHHS understand by-products that may be formed as a result of degradation of fentanyl during the surface decontamination process. The ORD research team has been a valuable resource and continues to assist the MDHHS team as we make informed, science-based decisions and assess decontamination approaches.” – MDHHS Environmental Assessment and ATSDR Unit Manager Andrea Keatley
To address this challenge, EPA developed a fact sheet in 2018 that provides local, state and county hazmat partners with the most pertinent information needed for a safe response to opioid contaminated sites. In 2019, EPA ORD researchers, with input from regional on-scene coordinators, tested multiple off-the-shelf, easy-to-access products for their ability to decontaminate fentanyl and its analogs, including on multiple common materials found in buildings such as glass, laminate and wood. Results show the best methods to be a spray application of several decontamination solutions—peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and pH adjusted solution containing hypochlorite—followed by a one-hour contact time.
Additionally, EPA ORD studied methods for cleaning personal protective equipment (PPE), such as Tyvek suits, hazmat suits, firefighter turnout gear, and neoprene gloves, worn by first responders. Decontamination of these materials needs to occur in a shorter timeframe, only 1-5 minutes, as compared to the materials in the home. Research showed that solutions containing peracetic acid are highly effective in degrading fentanyl in only a couple of minutes. This initial research will be used to scale up efforts to address a larger scale decontamination application and establishing effective operational procedures that will minimize additional hazards. Further research will also address materials that are more difficult to decontaminate, such as those that are porous, and fumigation methods for more complex contamination scenarios.
Results of this research will inform federal, state, tribal and local agencies on the requirements for safely entering, decontaminating, and eventually clearing indoor environments contaminated with fentanyl. A technical brief summarizing decontamination testing conditions, efficacies and protocols was published in 2022 for responders.