Good body and respiration protection is essential for the maintenance of operational capacity for a limited period after a CW attack. If the aggressor has used persistent substances, the unit generally must be decontaminated when regrouping or reorganizing. The need for decontamination can only be established by means of detection. If detection is not possible, then decontamination must be done solely on suspicion of contamination, e.g., if the unit has passed on the fringe of a contaminated area. Most CW agents can be destroyed by means of suitable chemicals.
Some chemicals are effective against practically all types of substances.
However, such chemicals may be unsuitable for use in certain conditions since they corrode, etch or erode the surface. Sodium hydroxide dissolved in organic solvent breaks down most substances but should not be used in decontaminating skin other than in extreme emergencies when alternative means are not available. Decontaminants that have effect only against a certain group of substances can be an alternative in favour of a substance with general effect. Examples of such substances are chloramine solutions which are often used to decontaminate personnel. However, the final product will always be poisonous.