Disclosed is a method of decontamination by exposing a zirconium oxy(hydroxide) aerogel to a liquid, vapor, or gaseous sample suspected of containing a phosphonate compound. The aerogel may be doped with Fe.sup.3+ ions, Ce.sup.3+ ions, or SO.sub.4.sup.2− ions. The aerogel may be made by: providing a solution of ZrCl.sub.4; FeCl.sub.3, CeCl.sub.3, or Zr(SO.sub.4).sub.2; and a solvent; adding a cyclic ether to the solution to form a gel; infiltrating the gel with liquid carbon dioxide; applying a temperature and pressure to form supercritical fluid carbon dioxide; and removing the carbon dioxide for form an aerogel.

Disclosed is a method of decontamination by exposing a zirconium oxy(hydroxide) aerogel to a liquid, vapor, or gaseous sample suspected of containing a phosphonate compound. The aerogel may be doped with Fe.sup.3+ ions, Ce.sup.3+ ions, or SO.sub.4.sup.2− ions. The aerogel may be made by: providing a solution of ZrCl.sub.4; FeCl.sub.3, CeCl.sub.3, or Zr(SO.sub.4).sub.2; and a solvent; adding a cyclic ether to the solution to form a gel; infiltrating the gel with liquid carbon dioxide; applying a temperature and pressure to form supercritical fluid carbon dioxide; and removing the carbon dioxide for form an aerogel.

Disposal means for large scale efficient disposal of medication and controlled substances comprising a homogeneous mixture of one or more surfactants, aerobic enzymes, anaerobic enzymes, soluble bitterants, insoluble bitterants, colorants, excipients, thickener agents, and humectant. Unwanted medication and controlled substances, such as opioids, are introduced to the solution and rendered inert and/or useless.

Disposal means for large scale efficient disposal of medication and controlled substances comprising a homogeneous mixture of one or more surfactants, aerobic enzymes, anaerobic enzymes, soluble bitterants, insoluble bitterants, colorants, excipients, thickener agents, and humectant. Unwanted medication and controlled substances, such as opioids, are introduced to the solution and rendered inert and/or useless.

Materials for decontamination of compounds having a phosphorous-sulfur bond or a phosphorous-oxygen bond. A porous polymer, such as poly(dicyclopentadiene), contains particles of zirconium hydroxide. The polymer optionally has hydroperoxide groups.

A reagent system for treating heavy metal-contaminated materials is provided and includes an oxidizer, a soluble phosphate, and an alkaline hydroxide source, such as a caustic soda or lime. A method of treating mine waste bearing one or more heavy metals is also provided and includes the step of admixing a reagent system with heavy metal-containing material to preferentially reduce the leachability of heavy metals and form precipitates and complexes of low metal solubility that remain stable within the host solid matrix for long durations in acidic and abrasive conditions.

A reagent system for treating heavy metal-contaminated materials is provided and includes an oxidizer, a soluble phosphate, and an alkaline hydroxide source, such as a caustic soda or lime. A method of treating mine waste bearing one or more heavy metals is also provided and includes the step of admixing a reagent system with heavy metal-containing material to preferentially reduce the leachability of heavy metals and form precipitates and complexes of low metal solubility that remain stable within the host solid matrix for long durations in acidic and abrasive conditions.

Methods of disposing of pharmaceuticals including liquid pharmaceuticals and dissolved solid pharmaceuticals are disclosed. The methods relate to depositing one or more liquid pharmaceuticals into or onto a substrate that includes (a)(i) fibers, or (ii) both fibers and foam, and (b) activated carbon. The substrate adsorbs active pharmaceutical ingredients and absorbs a carrier liquid to facilitate safe disposal of the one or more liquid pharmaceuticals. Pharmaceutical disposal kits suitable for disposing of liquid pharmaceuticals and dissolved solid pharmaceuticals are also disclosed. The pharmaceutical disposal kits include a substrate that (1) includes (a)(i) fibers or (ii) both fibers and foam, and (b) activated carbon, and (2) is capable of adsorbing active pharmaceutical ingredients and absorbing a carrier liquid to facilitate safe disposal of the one or more liquid pharmaceuticals.

Waste disposal substrates are also disclosed. The waste disposal substrates include (a) at least one layer of fibers, (b) at least one layer containing activated carbon; and (c) at least one layer containing superabsorbent particles. Methods of using waste disposal substrates are also disclosed. Methods of using a waste disposal substrate may include contacting a waste disposal substrate with a liquid fluid, the waste disposal substrate containing: (a) at least one layer of fibers, (b) at least one layer containing activated carbon; and (c) at least one layer containing superabsorbent particles. The liquid fluid, or a component of the liquid fluid, is collected, dissolved, adsorbed, inactivated, destroyed, and/or disposed of within the waste disposal substrate.

Methods of disposing of pharmaceuticals including liquid pharmaceuticals and dissolved solid pharmaceuticals are disclosed. The methods relate to depositing one or more liquid pharmaceuticals into or onto a substrate that includes (a)(i) fibers, or (ii) both fibers and foam, and (b) activated carbon. The substrate adsorbs active pharmaceutical ingredients and absorbs a carrier liquid to facilitate safe disposal of the one or more liquid pharmaceuticals. Pharmaceutical disposal kits suitable for disposing of liquid pharmaceuticals and dissolved solid pharmaceuticals are also disclosed. The pharmaceutical disposal kits include a substrate that (1) includes (a)(i) fibers or (ii) both fibers and foam, and (b) activated carbon, and (2) is capable of adsorbing active pharmaceutical ingredients and absorbing a carrier liquid to facilitate safe disposal of the one or more liquid pharmaceuticals.

Waste disposal substrates are also disclosed. The waste disposal substrates include (a) at least one layer of fibers, (b) at least one layer containing activated carbon; and (c) at least one layer containing superabsorbent particles. Methods of using waste disposal substrates are also disclosed. Methods of using a waste disposal substrate may include contacting a waste disposal substrate with a liquid fluid, the waste disposal substrate containing: (a) at least one layer of fibers, (b) at least one layer containing activated carbon; and (c) at least one layer containing superabsorbent particles. The liquid fluid, or a component of the liquid fluid, is collected, dissolved, adsorbed, inactivated, destroyed, and/or disposed of within the waste disposal substrate.

Disclosed is a method of decontamination by exposing a zirconium oxy(hydroxide) aerogel to a liquid, vapor, or gaseous sample suspected of containing a phosphonate compound. The aerogel may be doped with Fe.sup.3+ ions, Ce.sup.3+ ions, or SO.sub.4.sup.2− ions. The aerogel may be made by: providing a solution of ZrCl.sub.4; FeCl.sub.3, CeCl.sub.3, or Zr(SO.sub.4).sub.2; and a solvent; adding a cyclic ether to the solution to form a gel; infiltrating the gel with liquid carbon dioxide; applying a temperature and pressure to form supercritical fluid carbon dioxide; and removing the carbon dioxide for form an aerogel.