PMC

Photographs of high surface contamination levels: (a,b) 1st and 2nd CL decontamination of 5 g/L; (c,d) 1st and 2nd C1 decontamination of 22.5 g/L; (e,f) 1st and 2nd DeconGel decontamination of 5 g/L; (g,h) 1st and 2nd DeconGel decontamination of 22.5 g/L.

(a) Knitted APP source (bottom view), decontamination chamber with the plasma source, diagnostic sensors, and a photograph of the air plasma discharge in the decontamination chamber (tilted view). (b) Plasma decontamination process using the knitted APP source (cross-sectional view) and CARC disk with real samples of chemical agents (HD, GD, and VX).

Cost per person per unit area was calculated by the estimated decontamination cost divided by the population of the unit area. Population data are based on the 2010 Population Census.

To measure decontamination potential we mixed equimolar 5me-dCTP amplified mtDNA into non-methylated Target mtDNA. Methylated and non-methylated DNA were from mtDNA haplogroups differing in 8 loci. Each haplogroup mtDNA sample was barcoded with unique DNA barcodes prior to pooling, decontamination and amplification. Complete decontamination was measured via sequencing the mixed libraries to 10,000× coverage and measuring heteroplasmy levels with and without MspJI decontamination. MspJI digestion removed 100% of expected heteroplasmy contaminants(red) suggesting it can decontaminate up to equimolar contamination events. Undigested pooled libraries were sequenced as a control (blue) and exhibited 35–65% heteroplasmy levels. These artificial heteroplasmies were produced by pooling a methylated mitochondrial Long Range PCR product from a different haplogroup into a non methylated product. This haplogroup is completely removed by the decontamination methods described.