Fuller's Earth

A dry decon step for gear, vehicles and skin

Fuller’s Earth is a powder made of clay minerals. Responders apply it directly onto chemical protective clothing, equipment and vehicles, where it adsorbs liquid chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals from the surface. M2DCON describes the material as completely safe for use on skin, so the same sorbent can be used on personnel as well as on hardware. It is rapidly deployable and easy to apply, and M2DCON rates it effective for a wide range of downrange requirements.

Storage and packaging

• Shelf life: greater than five years.
• Temperature: not affected by temperature extremes.
• Packaging: 1-lb bags for logistical ease, sold in cartons of forty bags.
• Model number: FE-DCON-CT40-01LB (Fuller’s Earth Sorbent, 1-lb bag, 40 bags per carton).

Who uses it

Military personnel and civil emergency services currently use M2DCON Fuller’s Earth to decontaminate clothing and equipment after CBRN or hazmat exposure. Its long shelf life and tolerance of heat and cold make it practical to stage in vehicles and caches. Public agencies can buy through FarrWest as a pre-approved vendor on BuyBoard and the Purchasing Cooperative of America.

Frequently asked questions

What is Fuller's Earth used for in decontamination?

In CBRN and hazmat response, Fuller's Earth is used as a dry sorbent. The clay-mineral powder is applied to chemical protective clothing, equipment, vehicles and skin to adsorb liquid chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals. Military and civil emergency services use it because it is quick to deploy and easy to apply.

How is M2DCON Fuller's Earth packaged?

M2DCON packs Fuller's Earth Sorbent in 1-lb bags and sells it in cartons of forty bags under model number FE-DCON-CT40-01LB. The single-pound bags are meant for logistical ease, letting teams carry and issue smaller quantities rather than opening a full carton at once.

Does Fuller's Earth expire?

M2DCON lists a shelf life of greater than five years for its Fuller's Earth Sorbent and states that it is not affected by temperature extremes. That makes it a low-maintenance item to keep staged in vehicles or storage for long periods between incidents.