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.

A method for producing an aqueous foam comprising (a) preparing a solution comprising at least one surfactant and at least one protic polar solvent, (b) bringing the solution into contact with a pressurised gas to obtain a two-phase mixture, and (c) injecting the two-phase mixture to obtain the aqueous foam after expansion or dispersion of the gas. The solution further comprises at least one gelling compound chosen from a non-nitrogenous polysaccharide and gelatin. An aqueous foam obtained by such method and uses of the same, in particular in the fields of decontamination, the purification of effluents, or the defusing or containment of explosive devices or suspected explosive devices.

A method for producing an aqueous foam comprising (a) preparing a solution comprising at least one surfactant and at least one protic polar solvent, (b) bringing the solution into contact with a pressurised gas to obtain a two-phase mixture, and (c) injecting the two-phase mixture to obtain the aqueous foam after expansion or dispersion of the gas. The solution further comprises at least one gelling compound chosen from a non-nitrogenous polysaccharide and gelatin. An aqueous foam obtained by such method and uses of the same, in particular in the fields of decontamination, the purification of effluents, or the defusing or containment of explosive devices or suspected explosive devices.

Metal ion-directed carboxylic acid functionalized polyoxometalate hybrid compounds, and their preparation method and applications in catalyzing the degradation of chemical warfare agent simulants. In the synthesis, Na.sub.2MoO.sub.4, p-hydroxybenzonic acid (PHBA), alanine (Ala), KCl, transition metal cations and As.sub.2O.sub.3 as raw materials and water are used as solvent. At room temperature, 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES) and the prepared polyoxometalate hybrid compounds were mixed together in anhydrous ethanol and stirred, and H.sub.2O.sub.2 was subsequently added into the reaction system. The catalytic reaction for the degradation of CEES was finished within 5 min under stirring. In the catalytic hydrolysis of diethyl cyanophosphonate (DECP), the catalyst, DECP, DMF and H.sub.2O were put together and mixed fully. The prepared polyoxometalate hybrid compounds have the advantages of high conversion, high selectivity and easy recyclability in catalyzing the degradation of two types of chemical warfare agent simulant.

Metal ion-directed carboxylic acid functionalized polyoxometalate hybrid compounds, and their preparation method and applications in catalyzing the degradation of chemical warfare agent simulants. In the synthesis, Na.sub.2MoO.sub.4, p-hydroxybenzonic acid (PHBA), alanine (Ala), KCl, transition metal cations and As.sub.2O.sub.3 as raw materials and water are used as solvent. At room temperature, 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES) and the prepared polyoxometalate hybrid compounds were mixed together in anhydrous ethanol and stirred, and H.sub.2O.sub.2 was subsequently added into the reaction system. The catalytic reaction for the degradation of CEES was finished within 5 min under stirring. In the catalytic hydrolysis of diethyl cyanophosphonate (DECP), the catalyst, DECP, DMF and H.sub.2O were put together and mixed fully. The prepared polyoxometalate hybrid compounds have the advantages of high conversion, high selectivity and easy recyclability in catalyzing the degradation of two types of chemical warfare agent simulant.

A treatment method is capable of degrading or sterilizing harmful substances or microorganisms of which the degradation, detoxification, or the like is not easy for ozone gas alone. A harmful substance treatment method is one that makes ozone gas act on harmful substances, microorganisms, or the like in an environment humidified using a surfactant solution. The harmful substances include anticancer drugs. As a surfactant to be used, a non-ionic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, or an amphoteric surfactant can be used.

A treatment method is capable of degrading or sterilizing harmful substances or microorganisms of which the degradation, detoxification, or the like is not easy for ozone gas alone. A harmful substance treatment method is one that makes ozone gas act on harmful substances, microorganisms, or the like in an environment humidified using a surfactant solution. The harmful substances include anticancer drugs. As a surfactant to be used, a non-ionic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, or an amphoteric surfactant can be used.

In one aspect, a composition for decomposing pharmaceutically active agents comprises an oxidizer comprising a permanganate, and an isocyanurate; and an immobilizer. In another aspect, a composition comprises up to 50 wt. % of an oxidizer comprising potassium permanganate and sodium dichloroisocyanurate dehydrate, wherein the wt. % is based on a total weight of the composition.

In one aspect, a composition for decomposing pharmaceutically active agents comprises an oxidizer comprising a permanganate, and an isocyanurate; and an immobilizer. In another aspect, a composition comprises up to 50 wt. % of an oxidizer comprising potassium permanganate and sodium dichloroisocyanurate dehydrate, wherein the wt. % is based on a total weight of the composition.