Patent Publication Number: US-9849055-B2

Title: Multi-layered hazardous material containment bag

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/095,159, filed on Dec. 22, 2014, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     1. Field of Disclosure 
     The present disclosure relates to a hazardous material containment bag system. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a hazardous material containment bag system having a multi-layered structure or bags that form a matrix of structural layers and active agent(s) to minimize contamination when handling or transporting human remains or hazardous materials exposed to a chemical, biological, radiological, and/or toxicological agent. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Safe containment for the handling and transporting of hazardous materials, such as contaminated forensic material and equipment and, particularly, human remains continues to be a problem. Those handling such contaminated material run the risk of being exposed to the contamination and, as a result, of themselves being contaminated. 
     Conventional bags for the handling and transporting of contaminated material or of human remains generally comprise a tough, impermeable, preferably air- and fluid-tight, outer material. If the outer material is torn, punctured or otherwise compromised, the containment ability of conventional bags for the handling and transporting of contaminated material is lost in whole or in part. 
     Conventional bags for the handling and transporting of contaminated material or human remains provide only non-specific protection against contamination by a chemical, biological, radiological, and/or toxicological agent. By “non-specific” is meant protection that is not designed or directed to containing the specific contamination that is present. As a result, those handling and/or transporting such contaminated material or human remains run the risk of exposure and usually wear auxiliary protection. Such auxiliary protection has shortcomings, such as being cumbersome, preventing effective communication between those handling and/or transporting the contaminated material or human remains, and being not completely effective unless appropriately selected for the particular contamination faced. In this latter regard, often the precise nature of the contamination is not immediately known, so that the selection of the containment for the contaminated material or human remains, and/or the protection for those handling and transporting contaminated materials or human remains, involves a level of guesswork. 
     Therefore, a need exists for a bag or bag system for the handling and transporting of contaminated material, such as chemicals, biological materials, radiological materials, and/or toxicological agents, or human remains that can provide secure containment of the contaminating agent that is the source of such contaminated material or human remains. 
     A need also exists for a bag or bag system for the handling and transporting of contaminated material or human remains that can provide safe and effective protection for those handling and transporting such contaminated material or human remains. 
     A need further exists for a bag or bag system for the handling and transporting of contaminated material or human remains for which the identity of the contaminating agent is not known. 
     In addition, a need exists for a bag or bag system for the handling and transporting of contaminated material or human remains that serves to maintain to a large degree its containment ability if the bag is torn, punctured or otherwise compromised. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure provides a hazardous material containment bag or bag system for the handling and transporting of contaminated material, such as chemicals, biological materials, radiological materials, and/or toxicological agents, or human remains. 
     The present disclosure also provides such a hazardous material containment bag that has a multi-layered structure or bags that form a matrix of structural layers and active agent(s) to minimize (as defined herein, to prevent or at least reduce) contamination by a chemical, biological, radiological and/or toxicological agent. 
     The present disclosure further provides a hazardous material containment bag that has a multi-layered structure that forms a matrix of structural layers and active agent(s) for handling and transporting of contaminated material or human remains that is a flexible, sealable container having an outer substrate that forms the overall structure of the hazardous material containment bag, and a closure that provides access to the inside of the hazardous material containment bag and, thus, opens and closes the bag, and an absorbent body inside the hazardous material containment bag. 
     The present disclosure yet further provides a hazardous material containment bag that has a multi-layered structure that forms a matrix of structural layers and active agent(s), in which an active agent is present in any of its structural layers that is selected to neutralize or minimize contamination by a contaminant that is a chemical, biological, radiological and/or toxicological agent, to provide flexibility and adaptability to handle the challenge of the contaminant. 
     The present disclosure still further provides that a hazardous material containment bag that has a multi-layered structure that forms a matrix of structural layers and active agent(s) that can be made of a material and/or chemical agent in its structure that interacts with odor-causing chemical compounds from the human remains, embalming chemicals, or contaminated material inside the hazardous material containment bag, to prevent or at least reduce migration of the odor-causing chemical compounds into the ambient environment by the absorption or adsorption of gases or odors including volatile chemicals. 
     The present disclosure also provides that a multi-layer hazardous material containment bag that has a multi-layered structure that forms a matrix of structural layers and active agent(s) can optionally incorporate nanotechnology, such as nanoparticles, in any of its structural layers to increase the safety of handling, containment, and transportation of material, human remains, or hazardous materials. 
     The present disclosure further provides for one of the layers in the multi-layered structure being an absorbent material, which will help immobilize hazardous liquid, bodily fluids, and/or gases emanating from the hazardous contaminants or human remains. 
     The present disclosure further provides for a second embodiment which is a bag system having an inner bag and a separate outer bag with the inner bag being a multi-layered structure having an absorbent material, which will help immobilize hazardous liquid, bodily fluids, and/or gases emanating from the hazardous contaminants or human remains. 
     As mentioned above, the present disclosure relates to a hazardous material containment bag or bag system. More particularly, the present disclosure relates, in one embodiment, to a hazardous material containment bag for transporting human remains, or a deceased animal body (e.g., a horse or dog), or a hazardous material that has been contaminated by a chemical, biological, radiological, and/or toxicological agent. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a top plan view of an embodiment of a hazardous material containment bag of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  shows a top plan view of another embodiment of a hazardous material containment bag of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  shows a bottom view of the hazardous material containment bag of the embodiments of  FIG. 1 or 2 . 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective top view of the hazardous material containment bag in  FIG. 2  with a recloseable flap open. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a portion of another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6A  shows a sectional, perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 6B  shows an end perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 6C  is an exploded area  6 C of  FIG. 6A . 
         FIG. 7  shows a top, schematic of the embodiment of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded schematic view that illustrates an active agent positioned between layers of material in an embodiment of the hazardous material containment bag. 
         FIG. 9  shows a partially exploded view of an embodiment of a hazardous material containment bag of the present disclosure having a plurality of individual layers. 
         FIG. 10  shows a partially exploded view of another embodiment of a hazardous material containment bag of the present disclosure having a plurality of individual layers. 
         FIG. 11  shows an exploded sectional view of reinforced gripping devices of the embodiment of the hazardous material containment bag in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of the embodiment of the hazardous material containment bag with a decedent&#39;s body therein of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment, namely a modular hazardous remains system, of the present disclosure taken along line  13 - 13  of  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a biological inner bag of the system of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15( a )  is a cross-sectional view of the biological containment inner bag of  FIG. 14  taken along line  15 - 15  of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 15( b )  is a detailed view of a portion of the inner biological containment bag of  FIG. 15( a ) . 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a chemical inner bag of the system of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 17( a )  is a cross-sectional view of the chemical containment inner bag of the system of  FIG. 13  taken along line  17 - 17  of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 17( b )  is a detailed view of a portion of the inner chemical containment bag of  FIG. 17( a ) . 
         FIG. 17( c )  is a cross-sectional view of anther embodiment of the inner chemical containment bag of  FIG. 17( a ) . 
         FIG. 17( d )  is a detailed view of a portion of the inner chemical containment bag of  FIG. 17( c ) . 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view of the inner bag of the system of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view of the system of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the system of  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Referring now to the drawings and, in particular, to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a first exemplary embodiment of a hazardous material containment bag of the present disclosure generally represented by reference numeral  10 . The overall aesthetic appearance of hazardous material containment bag  10  is analogous to the lightweight absorbent body bag disclosed in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/741,331, now published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0263178A1, which application is incorporated by reference. However, hazardous material containment bag  10  of the present disclosure has a multi-layered structure. This structure forms a matrix of structural layers and active agent(s) to minimize (as defined herein means prevent or at least reduce) contamination by a chemical, biological, radiological and/or toxicological agent. 
     As used in this application, “minimize” (or “minimizing”) contamination means prevent (or substantially prevent) or at least reduce contamination by a chemical, biological, radiological and/or toxicological agent. 
     To “reduce” contamination means to decrease contamination by at least 50% as compared with a conventional bag; and more preferably, means to decrease contamination by at least 60%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 99%, and all increments therein, and optimally 100%. Clearly, the larger percentage decrease in contamination is the most preferred. 
     The matrix of structural layers and active agent(s) of hazardous material containment bag  10  can be selected to provide optimal effectiveness, flexibility and adaptability to minimize contamination by a chemical, biological, radiological and/or toxicological agent. 
     In one embodiment, hazardous material containment bag  10  has a matrix of structural layers and an active agent that form a “base” structure that minimizes contamination by a known range of chemical, biological, radiological and/or toxicological hazards, and which can also be used even when the chemical, biological, radiological and/or toxicological hazard has not yet been identified. 
     In another embodiment, hazardous material containment bag  10  has a matrix of structural layers and an active agent that are selected to form a “targeted” structure that minimizes contamination by a particular range of chemical, biological, radiological and/or toxicological agents that have been identified. 
     For example, the structural layers of materials in hazardous material containment bag  10  can be selected as to the number of layers, the material used for each layer, the thickness of each layer, the spacing between adjacent layers, and one or more coatings or treatments (e.g., urethane coating, surfactant) on or in each layer. 
     Similarly, hazardous material containment bag  10  can have one or more active agents that are a chemical compound present in and/or on any layer to interact with and minimize contamination by a chemical, biological, radiological and/or toxicological agent. For example, a structural layer that forms an interior surface of cover  80  and/or backing substrate  12  can have an active agent that is a chemical compound that chemically reacts with and neutralizes a toxic and/or noxious gas exuded by human remains or a hazardous material enclosed in hazardous material containment bag  10 . 
     In another embodiment, hazardous material containment bag  10  also has a chemical compound that is a surface active agent for odor control. Any layer can also have another active agent that is a chemical compound that interacts with an odor-causing agent exuded from human remains, embalming chemical, or hazardous material to chemically neutralize the odorous compound, or that adsorbs or absorbs the odorous compound. In this embodiment, hazardous material containment bag  10  also has one or more structural layers that form a physical barrier to penetration by an odorous compound, where the one or more structural layers are, for example, the backing substrate, absorbent body, cover, and/or the sublayers that form one or more of these structures. For example, a structural layer that is part of cover  80  and or backing substrate  12  can have a chemical compound that is a highly porous material that attracts, adsorbs and traps volatile organic compounds on its surface (such as, but not limited to, activated carbon), and thereby minimizes the amount of volatile organic compounds penetrating cover  80  and/or backing substrate  12 . In this embodiment, the matrix of active agent and structural layers prevents or at least reduces the odorous compound from penetrating hazardous material containment bag  10 , where the odorous compounds would otherwise contaminate the bearers and the nearby environment. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 4 , hazardous material containment bag  10  has a cover  80 . Cover  80  includes a closure  90 . Hazardous material containment bag  10  preferably has one or more gripping devices  25  along one side of hazardous material containment bag  10 , and corresponding gripping devices  25  along the opposite side of hazardous material containment bag  10 . Gripping devices  25  are provided with a reinforcement piece  35  to strengthen gripping devices  25  for use. Cover  80  includes a recloseable flap  140  that can be opened to provide access to the interior of hazardous material containment bag  10  for contaminated material or human remains to be placed therein.  FIGS. 1 and 2  each illustrate a different reclosable flap  140 . Further, recloseable flap  140  is in the closed position in each of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     A binder  18  can be connected to one or more edges at the perimeter of hazardous material containment bag  10 . Binder  18  provides a defined edge to and reinforces the integrity and shape of hazardous material containment bag  10  when in use. Binder  18  can be made of a webbing material, such as polyester or polypropylene, or nylon or a nylon-based material. Binder  18  can be connected to hazardous material containment bag  10  with thread, adhesive, VELCRO®, or can be thermally attached. Binder  18  can be attached onto the edge of hazardous material containment bag  10  to a width of between about one-quarter (¼) inch and about 2 inches, with a preferred width of about 1.25 inches along a long edge of hazardous material containment bag  10 . Hazardous material containment bag  10  also has a thermal seal  130  around the perimeter of the hazardous material containment bag  10 , thereby forming a compartment  135  having a continuous seal to make compartment  135  partially or, preferably, completely water- and fluid-resistant or impervious. Hazardous material containment bag  10  can also have one or more pockets  145  for storing documents. 
     Hazardous material containment bag  10  can also have one or more gussets (not shown), or gusset areas, that provide extra material for expansion of containment bag  10  to address if the contaminated item or decedent&#39;s body are large. Each gusset is preferably located at a corner of containment bag  10 . More preferably, containment bag  10  has a gusset at each of the four corners. In another embodiment, each gusset can have from about one (1) inch or larger seal at the seal point, and more preferably has a six (6) inch seal at the seal point, in all four corners of containment bag  10 . 
     Cover  80  has a first side (not shown) and a second side  82 . First side faces the bottom side of hazardous material containment bag  10 , and second side  82  is a top (outside or exposed) side of cover  80 . The second (top) side  82  of cover  80  is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Cover  80  is positioned on the top of hazardous material containment bag  10  and is connected to backing substrate  12 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     Cover  80  in conjunction with backing substrate  12  is intended to enclose contaminated material or human remains placed inside hazardous material containment bag  10 , and also provide system integrity for the entire hazardous material containment bag  10 . Cover  80  can be one or more pieces of material shaped and sized to join together on top of hazardous material containment bag  10  to form a tent-like interior in hazardous material containment bag  10  in which contaminated material or human remains can be placed to be completely enclosed and from which the contaminant is prevented or inhibited from escaping to the outside of the containment bag. Cover  80  is preferably made of one or more materials that exhibit weather resistance, water resistance, fatigue resistance, chemical resistance, and/or resistance to puncture or tearing. Cover  80  can be connected to backing substrate  12  at an outer edge of hazardous material containment bag  10 , by an adhesive material or by forming a thermal seal  130  between cover  80  and backing substrate  12  or by sewing. In one embodiment of hazardous material containment bag  10 , cover  80  and backing substrate  12  are connected under binder material  18  to provide hazardous material containment bag  10  with complete integrity and a finished appearance. 
     Cover  80  can be chosen preferably based on the hazardous material containment bag  10 . Backing substrate  12  is always impervious, however again dependent on the purpose of the hazardous material containment bag  10 , cover  80  can use a number of different materials. Thus, cover  80  can be a material including, but not limited to, nylon, polymer (such as polypropylene or polyethylene), plastic, polyester, polyester blend, cloth (such as canvas, hemp, flax, or cotton fiber), or combinations of these materials. In one embodiment, cover  80  is made of nylon, including treated nylon. In yet another embodiment, cover  80  is made of polyethylene or polypropylene. In an alternative embodiment, cover  80  is made of cotton or canvas, including treated canvas. 
     Thermal bonding can be used to form a continuous thermal seal  130  around the periphery of hazardous material containment bag  10 , to form compartment  135  in hazardous material containment bag  10  that is self-contained and water-resistant/fluid-resistant. A preferred technique for thermal bonding is Radio Frequency (RF) welding technology. Alternatively, ultrasonic bonding or heat bonding techniques can create thermal seal  130 . Thermal bonding can be achieved by melting a thermal bonding agent that is applied to backing substrate  12  and cover  80 , creating a seam for a thermal bond that is between about one-quarter (¼) inch to about one (1) inch, and preferably about one-half (½) inch to about three-quarter (¾) inch, in a continuous segment around hazardous material containment bag  10  to form compartment  135 . In an alternative embodiment, the thermal bonding uses a coating that is applied to a portion of backing substrate  12  and to cover  80  to create the thermal seal  130  including, but not limited to, a urethane coating. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , hazardous material containment bag  10  has a backing substrate  12  that forms a part of, or the entire, back surface of the hazardous material containment bag. Backing substrate  12  has a first side and a second side. The first side faces the top side of hazardous material containment bag  10 , and the second side is a bottom (outside or exposed) side of the backing substrate  12 . Backing substrate  12  provides support, ruggedness and strength to hazardous material containment bag  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , hazardous material containment bag  10  is shown with cover  80  having recloseable flap  140  in an open position, exposing first side of cover  80  and absorbent body  14  in an interior of hazardous material containment bag  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , closure  90  can run in a straight course from the top end to the bottom end of containment bag  10 . More specifically, closure  90  can be a zipper that runs in a straight course, is about 103 inches in length, and stops about 2.5 inches from each of the top end and the bottom end of containment bag  10 . A straight run of closure  90  preserves the teeth track of the zipper, and also avoids any leakage of the contents of containment bag  10 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 2 to 4 , closure  90  can have an envelope-style (“D-shape”) configuration in an unfastened condition, where one part of closure  90  is along the edge of recloseable flap  140  and the other part of closure  90  remains on cover  80 . 
     Hazardous material containment bag  10  can have a pocket  145  located on any outer surface. As shown in  FIG. 4 , pocket  145  is in dotted lines to illustrate its location on the side of recloseable flap  140  that faces the exterior of hazardous material containment bag  10 . Pocket  145  can be used to hold documents or personal items relating to the contaminated material or human remains. In one embodiment, pocket  145  is positioned on the outer surface of cover  80 , again so that the information placed inside pocket  145  would be accessible without exposure to the hazardous material or remains inside containment bag  10 . 
       FIG. 4  also shows hazardous material containment bag  10  with gripping devices  25  and a reinforcement piece  35  for each gripping device  25 , as well as thermal seal  130 . Binder  18  can be positioned and connected along a long edge of hazardous material containment bag  10  to overlay a small portion of absorbent body  14  and backing substrate  12 . 
     Backing substrate  12  can be partially or completely impermeable to fluids such as water, blood, body fluids, or chemicals associated with embalming or preserving a decedent&#39;s body, and serves as a fluid barrier to prevent (or at least reduce) fluids exuded by the body from contaminating the area beneath and around hazardous material containment bag  10  or the bearers who are carrying the bag. Fluid impermeability of backing substrate  12  also reduces effects of outside water (from the ground or from rain and snow) from seeping into hazardous material containment bag  10 , where such water could compromise the integrity of hazardous material containment bag  10  or a decedent&#39;s body therein. Backing substrate  12  can be a material that is naturally fluid-impermeable or a material that has been chemically treated to reduce liquid permeability (e.g., treated nylon or treated cloth), or a material that is coated to reduce liquid permeability, such as by urethane or a polyester. Backing substrate  12  is also preferably made of a material that resists tears or punctures, to provide ruggedness to hazardous material containment bag  10 . Backing substrate  12  can also have a low-slip or non-slip surface so that hazardous material containment bag  10  stays in position when placed on a surface. 
     Absorbent body  14  is preferably connected to the first (top) side of backing substrate  12 . Absorbent body  14  is typically sized less than backing substrate  12  so that a portion of the backing substrate forms an edge about a portion of absorbent body  14 . Absorbent body  14  can be permanently connected to backing substrate  12 , or can be removably connected (as a separate piece) to backing substrate  12 . In an alternative embodiment (not shown), a portion of absorbent body  14 , or another, separate absorbent body  14 , can also be affixed to or cover the first side of cover  80 , including the side of recloseable flap  140  that faces the interior of hazardous material containment bag  10 . 
     An embodiment of hazardous material containment bag  10  has absorbent body  14  that is removably connected to backing substrate  12 , so that the absorbent body can be replaced with a new, or different absorbent body on the same backing substrate  12 . This permits the user to easily replace an absorbent body  14  having structural layers and/or chemical compounds that are selected to interact with a particular type of chemical, biological, radiological or toxicological contaminant with a different absorbent body (not shown) having structural layers and/or chemical compounds that interact with or trap a different type of chemical, biological, radiological or toxicological contaminant. Removability also permits a used absorbent body  14  to be removed after use from hazardous material containment bag  10 , and replaced with a new, unused absorbent body  14 . Before new absorbent body  14  could be inserted, containment bag  10  would need to be decontaminated using proper procedures and recertified as clean. Absorbent body  14  can be removably connected to backing substrate  12  (and/or to cover  80 ) by an adhesive material, where the adhesive material includes, but is not limited to, glue, tape, two-sided tape, thread, and/or a hook-and-loop interlocking device such as VELCRO® (Velcro Industries B.V. LLC Netherlands, Curacao, Netherlands Antilles). 
     In another embodiment, absorbent body  14  is positioned on all, or substantially all, of the inner surfaces of hazardous material containment bag  10 , including first (inner) side of cover  80  and backing substrate  12 , such that the absorbent body  14  encases the contents of hazardous material containment bag  10 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , hazardous material containment bag  10  includes a backing substrate  12  and an absorbent body  14  connected to a first side of backing substrate  12  and/or connected to a first side of cover  80 . In some embodiments, absorbent body  14  can also cover part or all of closure  90  when recloseable flap  140  is in the closed position. Hazardous material containment bag  10  completely encloses and encases the contaminated material or human remains placed therein when recloseable flap  140  of cover  80  is closed with closure  90 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5-7 , this embodiment of hazardous material containment bag  100  has two structures, namely an inner liner or shell  110  that encloses part or all of contaminated human remains or hazardous material and an outer shell  120  to enclose inner shell  110 , as shown clearly in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , to form a bag-inside-a-bag hazardous material containment bag  100 . This hazardous material containment bag  100  isolates contaminants inside the inner liner  110  from escaping outside of hazardous material containment bag  100 . The inner liner  110  can have an active agent that can absorb, adsorb, neutralize, deactivate, and/or destroy chemical, biological, radiological and/or toxicological agents. For this hazardous material containment bag  100  embodiment, outer shell  120  opens wide to allow inner shell  110 , perhaps a bag, to remain physically placed therein. Inner shell  110  can be attached to outer shell  120  at welded area  160  as shown in  FIG. 6C  or can be unattached to outer shell  120  and simply placed therein (not shown). This hazardous material containment bag  100  embodiment offers an added benefit of one hermetical closure inside of another thereby making it harder for contaminants to escape. 
     Outer shell  120  of hazardous material containment bag  100  can be gas and/or vapor permeable or impervious to the passage of gas and/or vapor. Preferably, outer shell  120  is impervious to the passage of gas and/or vapor. Also preferably, all seams  122  of outer shell  120  are sealed to provide an additional degree of gas and/or vapor impervious nature to the bag for handling and transporting contaminated material or human remains. Inner shell  110  can be made of the same or different material as outer shell  120 . However, it is important that the properties of outer shell  120  be directed to provide strength to hazardous material containment bag  100 , and that the properties of inner shell  110  be directed to prevent or greatly reduce chemical, biological and other contaminants from escaping out of the hazardous material containment bag  100 . 
     Outer shell  120  has a closure  125 . Closure  125  provides access to the inside volume of hazardous material containment bag  100 , namely inner shell  110 , and should be of sufficient dimension to permit relatively simple, rapid and easy placement of the contaminated material or human remains therein. Preferably, closure  125  is a zipper having complementary male and female teeth  126 ,  128 . Further, closure  125  is airtight and watertight. To ensure that closure  125  is watertight, closure  125  has a coating and/or is sealed with a liquid-resistant sealer, such as nickel silver elements. Closure  125  can also be tamper-evident and/or tamper-resistant. Closure  125  can be a size 10 zipper marketed under the trade name “YKK Proseal”, which meets the full requirements of SOLAS Chapter 3.32.3, 46 CFR 106.171-17, NFPA 1991, 1992, 1994 Class 2, ASTM F1052 and ASTM1359. YKK Proseal is rated at approximately 0.2-0.5 bar water pressure. Closure  125  can include a wide tape having a first tape section  127  attached to teeth  126  and a second tape section  129  attached to teeth  128 . The first and second tape sections  127 ,  129  are each made of a polyester woven fiber having polyurethane laminated to the polyester fiber. Closure  125  can slightly arc across hazardous material containment bag  100 . 
     Inner shell  110  has a closure  115 . Preferably, closure  115  is also a zipper having complementary male and female teeth  116 ,  118 . Also, as with closure  125 , closure  115  is airtight. However, closure  115  is also waterproof. To ensure that closure  115  is waterproof, closure  115  can have a coating and/or be sealed with a waterproof sealer. Closure  115  extends in a straight line across hazardous material containment bag  100  to preserve the teeth  116 ,  118  of closure  115  and avoid any leakage of the contents of hazardous material containment bag  100 . Closure  115  can also be tamper-evident and/or tamper-resistant. 
     In this hazardous material containment bag  100  embodiment, closure  125  is laterally offset from closure  115  to ensure that closures  125  and  115  do not obstruct one another. Closure  125  is also longer than closure  115 , preferably by about two to four inches, so that closure  115  and inner shell  110  are readily accessible when closure  125  is opened. Closure  115  can be a size 10 zipper marketed under the trade name “YKK Aquaseal”, which meets the full requirements of ISO 12402-7, NFPS 1992, 1994 Class 2, ASTM F1359. YKK Aquaseal is rated at approximately 0.3 bar water pressure. Closure  115  can include a wide tape having a first tape section  117  attached to teeth  116  and a second tape section  119  attached to teeth  118 . The first and second tape sections  117 ,  119  have a base that can be made of polyester woven fiber impregnated with polyurethane. 
     Referring to all embodiments, absorbent body  14  is made of an absorbent or superabsorbent material, and can absorb a large quantity of liquid, such as blood or other body fluids, or embalming chemicals, that are exuded from a decedent&#39;s body or by contaminated material in hazardous material containment bag  10 . Examples of absorbent and superabsorbent materials that can be used for absorbent body  14  include, but are not limited to, cellulose, cellulose fiber, airlaid, airlaid nonwoven, airlaid composite, fluff pulp, bonding fiber, superabsorbent polymer (SAP), SAP composite, compressed composite containing a portion of short or microfiber material, thermoplastic polymer fiber, thermoplastic polymer granule, cellulose powder, cellulose gel, airlaid with SAP, fibrous or foam structure coated or impregnated with SAP, starch-based absorbents or starch-based superabsorbents, such as BioSAP™ (Archer Daniels Midland, Decatur, Ill.), and any combinations thereof. In one embodiment, absorbent body  14  is made of one or more layers of tissue. In another embodiment, absorbent body  14  has a top layer that is a low-slip or non-slip material, or treated with a non-slip agent, to reduce movement or slipping of a decedent&#39;s body. In another embodiment, absorbent body  14  has a top surface or top layer that is made of polyethylene and/or polypropylene, or that is made of non-woven material. 
     Absorbent body  14  can include one or more layers of absorbent or superabsorbent material. The one or more layers of absorbent material can be a top layer, a bottom layer, and/or a middle layer. Each layer of absorbent body  14  can be positioned adjacent to another layer without being adhered to the next layer, or some (or all) of layers in the absorbent body can be bonded together into a composite structure. The one or more layers of absorbent body  14  can be bonded with an adhesive material, or by using static attraction and/or corona discharge techniques. 
     Any layer of absorbent material in absorbent body  14  can be treated or coated with a surfactant to regulate uptake and strikethough of liquids, or to direct absorption to another portion or zone of absorbent body  14 . Examples of surfactants that can be used in the present disclosure include anionic, cationic, zwitterionic, and non-ionic surfactants. 
     For ease of disposability, absorbent body  14  is made in one embodiment of a biodegradable and/or compostable absorbent material, such as the starch-based absorbent or starch-based superabsorbent material noted above, including, but not limited to, BioSAP™ (Archer-Daniels Midland, Decatur, Ill.). 
     Absorbent body  14  is typically sized somewhat smaller than the overall outer dimensions (also called “footprint”) of hazardous material containment bag  10  and backing substrate  12 . Some exemplary sizes of absorbent body  14  in relation to the overall outer dimensions of hazardous material containment bag  10  are as follows: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Hazardous Material 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Containment Bag 
                 Absorbent body 
               
               
                   
                   
                 outer dimensions 
                 outer dimensions 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (width × length) 
                 (width × length) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Portion* 
                 20″ × 25″ 
                 18″ × 23″ 
               
               
                   
                 Portion/Infant 
                 20″ × 36″ 
                 18″ × 34″ 
               
               
                   
                 Adolescent 
                 30″ × 55″ 
                 28″ × 53″ 
               
               
                   
                 Standard 
                 33″ × 78″ 
                 31″ × 76″ 
               
               
                   
                 Extra Large (XL) 
                 36″ × 91″ 
                 34″ × 89″ 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 *“Portion” is a portion of a human body or other animal body. 
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Absorbent body  14  also can be shaped to fit easily inside hazardous material containment bag  10 . In one embodiment, absorbent body has one or more cut-outs along the lengthwise sides of hazardous material containment bag  10  to prevent the absorbent body from overlapping and covering gripping devices  25 . 
     Absorbent body  14  can have one or more strengthening layers (not shown) to improve the strength and/or resistance to tearing of the absorbent body. The one or more strengthening layers can be located on top of, below, or in between any portion of absorbent body  14 . A strengthening layer can be made of standard non-woven material, or meltblown or spunlace composites. In one embodiment, the strengthening layer is a polypropylene non-woven or polypropylene/meltblown non-woven material. 
     As noted above, absorbent body  14  can absorb a large quantity of fluids. In one embodiment, absorbent body  14 , with the use of high SAP levels, can absorb up to 7 liters of fluids, such as water or blood and other bodily fluids. In another embodiment, absorbent body  14  and a second absorbent body having the same structure of absorbent body  14  and located on the inside surface of the top of hazardous material containment bag  10  can absorb up to 6.7 liters, which is about 6,500 grams to about 6,850 grams of water, blood, or other fluids. Total absorbency of fluids is a function, in part, of the overall size and type of absorbent material employed in absorbent body  14 . A typical absorbent material used in absorbent body  14  has about one-and-three-quarters (1.75) grams of absorbency per square inch of absorbent material. However, absorbency can be adjusted to a higher or lower level by changing to another, higher-performance absorbent, such as a superabsorbent. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an embodiment of the present disclosure in which an active agent  50  is disposed or dispersed between two absorbent layers  46 ,  48  that form a portion of the absorbent body. In this embodiment, cover stock  52  covers the top surface of absorbent layer  46 . A backing substrate  44  is below absorbent layer  48 . Other embodiments can have one or more active agents disposed in or on more than two layers of absorbent body  14 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an embodiment of a layer-by-layer structure of the multi-layered structure of hazardous material containment bag  10  having four structural layers. Moving from right-to-left in the direction from the exterior toward the interior of hazardous material containment bag  10 , outer layer  76  forms the outer surface of backing substrate  12 , and thus also forms a part of or the entire back surface of hazardous material containment bag  10 . Moving inward, the next layer is an absorbent layer  77  that forms a portion of absorbent body  14 , and which is adjacent to outer layer  76 . Continuing inward, the next layer is another absorbent layer  78  that also forms a portion of absorbent body  14 . Alternatively, layer  78  can be a protective layer. Further inward is an inner layer  79  that is adjacent to absorbent layer  78  and thus adjacent to absorbent body  14  which will be the nearest layer of the multi-layered structure to any human remains that are placed in hazardous material containment bag  10 . 
     In an embodiment of the plurality of structural layers in  FIG. 9 , outer layer  76  is made of nylon backing material that can optionally have a urethane coating, absorbent layers  77  and  78  are made of one or more of the absorbent or superabsorbent materials provided above for absorbent body  14 , and inner layer  79  is made of a nylon backing material with a urethane coating or similar coating layer. 
     In an embodiment of hazardous material containment bag  10 , one or more of layers  76 ,  77 ,  78  and  79  is a laminate structure having two or more layers bonded to each other to form a laminate layer with increased strength, durability, thickness, uniformity, and/or barrier characteristics. Specifically, a laminate layer can have two, three, four, five, six, or seven layers, and preferably two to four layers, of the same material or of different materials that are bonded together. The number of layers can be larger in those laminates in which microlayers are used. 
     In one embodiment, absorbent layer  77  is a laminate of absorbent materials that is one or more plies of a cellulosic material, an adhesive or binder (such as glue), and can optionally have an active agent therein to form an absorbent laminate layer (not shown). The absorbent laminate layer can increase the absorbency and strength of absorbent layer  77  in a thin structure. The absorbent laminate layer preferably has an active agent incorporated therein. The active agent is uniformly distributed in a known concentration throughout the extent of hazardous material containment bag  10  simply by selecting a prescribed length and number of plies of the laminate. Incorporating the active agent in the absorbent laminate layer eliminates having large amounts of a dry, loose active agent that collects disproportionately in one portion of hazardous material containment bag  10 , and leaves no “void” areas of the bag that lack a sufficient amount of the active agent to neutralize or trap a contaminant. 
     In another embodiment, outer layer  76  is a laminate having a nylon layer laminated with another nylon layer or with a polyethylene or polypropylene layer to form an outer laminate layer (not shown). The outer laminate layer increases the strength, durability, thickness, uniformity, and/or barrier characteristics of outer layer  76 . 
     In yet another embodiment of the plurality of structural layers in  FIG. 9 , outer layer  76  is made of nylon backing material that can optionally have a urethane coating, absorbent layer  77  is made of one or more of the absorbent or superabsorbent materials provided above for absorbent body  14 , protective layer  78  is made of a material including, but not limited to, SARANEX® (Dow Chemical Specialty Packaging &amp; Films, Midland, Mich.), but which also can be OMNIFLEX® (Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corp., Wayne, N.J.), polyvinylidene chloride, fluoroelastomer, or combinations thereof, and inner layer  79  is made of a nylon backing material with a urethane coating or similar coating layer. 
     While not shown in the embodiment in  FIG. 9 , multi-layered structure can further include a fifth structural layer, a sixth structural layer, a seventh structural layer, and an eighth structural layer that can each be positioned between any of layers  76 ,  77 ,  78  and  79 , and/or adjacent the exterior side of layer  76 , or adjacent the interior side of layer  79 . These additional structural layers can be a protective layer to add an additional barrier against contamination by chemical, biological, radiological and/or toxicological agents, without a change in the operation of hazardous material containment bag  10 . 
       FIG. 10  shows another embodiment of hazardous material containment bag  10  that shows an embodiment of a layer-by-layer structure of multi-layer structure. In  FIG. 10 , hazardous material containment bag  10  comprises three structural layers. Moving from right-to-left in the direction from the exterior toward the interior of hazardous material containment bag  10 , outer layer  86  forms the outer surface of backing substrate  12 , and thus also forms part of or the entire exterior surface of hazardous material containment bag  10 . Moving inward, the next layer is an absorbent layer  88  that forms a part of or all of absorbent body  14 , and is adjacent to outer layer  88 . Further inward is an inner layer  89  that is adjacent to absorbent layer  88  (i.e., adjacent to absorbent body  14 ), and is the nearest layer of the multi-layered structure layer to any human remains when placed in hazardous material containment bag  10 . 
     Each layer  86 ,  88  and  89  can have therein an active agent that is capable of absorbing, adsorbing, neutralizing, deactivating and/or destroying a chemical, biological, radiological, and/or toxicological agent. It should be understood that each layer can, in fact, be two or more tissue layers that form a pocket for containing the active agent. 
     As used in this application, a “pocket” means a space formed between two layers of material to hold documents or personal items belonging to the decedent, as in pocket  145  in  FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 12  above, but “pocket” also means any area or space formed between two layers of materials, such as the space between two adjacent tissue layers in absorbent body  14 , which can enclose and hold an active agent in position. 
     In certain embodiments, each layer  86 ,  88  and  89  have a different active agent, i.e., one for adsorbing, absorbing, neutralizing, deactivating and/or destroying a chemical agent, a biological agent, a radiological agent and/or a toxicological agent. In another embodiment, a plurality of layers  86 ,  88  and  89  (or all of them) have a different active agent for adsorbing, absorbing, neutralizing, deactivating and/or destroying a chemical agent. As will also be appreciated, the configuration and number of layers (e.g., two, three, four, five, six, or seven layers, where the number of layers can be larger where a microlayer is used) provides for essentially unlimited options for forming hazardous material containment bag  10 , thereby optimizing the purpose or use for a particular hazardous material containment bag  10 . 
     As noted above, hazardous material containment bag  10  has a matrix of structural layers and active agent(s) that can be configured to provide optimal effectiveness, flexibility and adaptability to minimize contamination by a chemical, biological, radiological and/or toxicological agent. Again, each adjacent pair of layers can form a pocket therebetween to contain an active agent or each layer can have two or more tissue layers that form a pocket for containing an active agent. 
     The structural layers of materials in hazardous material containment bag  10  can be configured to control: the number of layers; the type of material used to construct each layer; whether each layer has one or more separate (unbounded) sub-layers or that two or more of the sub-layers are bonded together to form a laminate layer; the thickness of each layer; the spacing between adjacent layers or such spacing to form one or more pockets; and one or more coatings or treatments (e.g., urethane coating, surfactant) on or in each layer. The different structural layers can provide different physical or chemical barrier properties that prevent or at least reduce the contaminant from permeating through hazardous material containment bag  10  to contaminate the bearers and the nearby environment. 
     Hazardous material containment bag  10  can also have one or more active agents. Each active agent is a chemical compound that is present in and/or on any layer, or in a pocket formed between two layers. Upon contact with a contaminant, the active agent can chemically neutralize the contaminant, and/or can chemically alter the contaminant to create a less-toxic compound, and/or absorb or adsorb the contaminant to trap the contaminant within its physical structure. Any one or more of these mechanisms can be employed by the active agent to prevent or at least reduce the contaminant from permeating through hazardous material containment bag  10  to contaminate the bearers and the nearby environment. 
     In an embodiment, hazardous material containment bag  10  has a “base” (or “generic”) structure that is a matrix constructed to incorporate at least “primary” factors that minimize contamination by a known profile of chemical, biological, radiological and/or toxicological agents. The primary factors include, but are not limited to, the number of structural layers, the materials used to form each structural layer, the type and amount of an active agent, and the distribution of the active agent in and/or on the structural layers. Thus, this “base” embodiment can be employed where the contaminant is already identified or is believed to be within the profile of chemical, biological, radiological and/or toxicological agents that can be successfully controlled. 
     In another embodiment, the “base” structure above can be enhanced by incorporating one or more “secondary factors” including, but not limited to, the space between adjacent layers, a coating applied to a structural layer, the total amount of the active agent and/or the ratio of the amount of the active agent to the basis weight of the structural layers. 
     Alternatively, the “base” embodiment of hazardous material containment bag  10  can be employed as a general precaution to minimize contamination in a hostile environment where a specific threat of chemical, biological, radiological and/or toxicological agents has not yet been identified. 
     In another embodiment, hazardous material containment bag  10  has a “targeted” matrix that is constructed to incorporate at least the “primary” factors that minimize contamination by a particular profile of chemical, biological, radiological and/or toxicological agents. Depending on the identity and concentration of the contaminant, one or more of the “secondary” features can be enhanced as well. For example, if hazardous material containment bag  10  is to be deployed where there is suspicion that toxic chemical weapons were used, hazardous material containment bag  10  can be specially constructed to have a matrix that targets the particular toxic chemical agents by adding an additional laminated structural layer that increases the physical barrier to penetration by that toxic chemical, and/or by adding an active agent that will interact with the toxic chemical agent. This targeted matrix permits safe enclosure and transport of human remains or contaminated materials in hazardous material containment bag  10 . When a layer of absorbent material  14  is in non-fibrous material form, e.g., as a sheet of material, the active agent can be applied similar to the methods described above with respect to fibers of the fibrous material. Also, the sheet should preferably have a porous structure so that the chemical, biological, radiological and/or toxicological agent may pass through to contact the layer having an active agent to adsorb, absorb, neutralize, deactivate and/or destroy the particular chemical, biological, radiological and/or toxicological agent. 
     The active agent can be added to an embodiment of absorbent body  14  made of a fibrous material by applying the active agent to the surface of the fibers of the fibrous material, such as by immersion in a solution of an active agent and thereafter drying, so as to leave a residual layer of the active agent adhered to the fibers of the fibrous material. Alternatively, the active agent can be chemically bound to the fibers of the fibrous material of absorbent body  14 , and such chemical bounding can include grafting. The layers can be arranged in any order desired. For example, in  FIG. 9 , layer  78  could have an active agent that is suitable for adsorbing, absorbing, neutralizing, deactivating, and/or destroying a chemical agent. Layer  77  could have an active agent that is suitable for adsorbing, absorbing, neutralizing, deactivating and/or destroying a biological agent. Layer  78  could have an active agent that is suitable for adsorbing, absorbing, neutralizing, deactivating, and/or destroying a toxicological agent. Layer  79  could have an active agent that is suitable for adsorbing, absorbing, neutralizing, deactivating and/or destroying a radiological agent. In other embodiments, as noted above, each layer  76 ,  77 ,  78  and  79  could have a plurality of such agents as listed above. Still alternatively, each layer  76 ,  77 ,  78  and  79  could have a different active agent for adsorbing, absorbing, neutralizing, deactivating and/or destroying, e.g., a chemical agent. 
     In an alternative embodiment, a portion of the active agent can be in the form of nanoparticles. Nanoparticles provide, in the aggregate, a very large surface area for the same amount of an active agent as compared with normal-sized particles, thereby increasing exposure and contact of the active agent with hazardous materials that are absorbed, adsorbed, neutralized, deactivated, and/or destroyed by the active agent. In addition, the large surface area of nanoparticles, in the aggregate, can serve as a fine-grade “filtration” area through which hazardous agents pass and are removed, neutralized and/or destroyed. 
     Any structural layer of hazardous material containment bag  10  can have nanoparticles therein to provide protection against hazardous materials. For example, gold-embedded nanoparticles can be present in or on any structural material used of hazardous material containment bag  10 , including backing substrate  12 , cover  80  and absorbent body  14 . Gold-embedded nanoparticles can protect against contamination by radiological hazards, including alpha and beta particles, and gamma rays, and still allow the structural material in which the nanoparticles are present to remain lightweight. 
     One or more active agent can be present anywhere on and/or in the one or more layers of absorbent body  14  and/or hazardous material containment bag  10 . The active agent is preferably positioned in and/or on, or in-between, any two layers of absorbent body  14 . The active agent can minimize infection and contamination by microbial pathogens, and can reduce and/or eliminate odors. The active agent can be, but is not limited to, a bactericide, bacteriostatic agent, fungicide, virucide, disinfectant, sanitizer, sterilizer, mildewstat, surfactant, deodorizer, or any combinations thereof. The active agent can include, but is not limited to: quaternary ammonium salts, surfactants (such as crown ethers), metal or metal compound, organic acid, inorganic acid, salt, sulfite, biopolymer, synthetic polymer, chitin, chitosan, nisin, enzyme, arginate, diacetate, antioxidant, and any combinations thereof. Still other examples of active agents include, but are not limited to, acid/base neutralizers, adsorbent or absorbent materials such as polyoxybenzylmethylenglycolanhydride (BAKELITE®), clay, polymeric scaffolding containing active sites with varying degrees of specificity, trapping agent, and compounds that neutralize biologically-active materials, such as antibodies. The active agent can be present in an active form, or, alternatively, can be present in an inactive form that becomes activated upon contact with liquids or gases. 
     When a layer of absorbent material  14  is in non-fibrous material form, e.g., as a sheet of material, the active agent can be applied similar to the methods described above with respect to fibers of the fibrous material. Also, the sheet should preferably have a porous structure so that the chemical, biological, radiological and/or toxicological agent may pass through to contact the layer having an active agent to adsorb, absorb, neutralize, deactivate and/or destroy the particular chemical, biological, radiological and/or toxicological agent. 
     The “architecture” of hazardous material containment bag  10 , as well as the choice of the one or more active agent, can be varied depending on the nature of the hazardous material expected to be encountered so as to improve performance. Performance of hazardous material containment bag  10  therefore depends not only on the selection of the active agent, but also the location of the active agent in the hazardous material containment bag  10 . Varying the architecture can regulate the length of time before the active agent is activated or exposed to hazardous materials. Also, the architecture can be designed to physically separate individual chemical components of a “system” of two or more components of active agent, in order to provide extended release, delayed release, controlled release, or sustained release of the active agent in hazardous material containment bag  10 . 
       FIG. 11  shows a close up view of gripping device  25  with reinforcement piece  35  and also shows an embodiment where closure  90  is a zipper that has a sealing material  190  along its length to provide water-resistance to closure  90 . Similar to closure  115 , closure  90  can also be a YKK Aquaseal zipper. However, closure  90  need not be a zipper and can be any type of closure that provides a tight chemical closure. To further increase water-resistance of closure  90 , the closure can have a water-resistant “landing zone” (not shown) when recloseable flap  140  is closed, which also secures closure  90  to the containment bag structure. For security, closure  90  can be sealed with tie seals, or a lock, for security and to maintain a positive seal between closure  90  and the containment bag. The one or more gripping devices  25  connected to backing substrate  12  and cover  80  can be pass-through holes (as illustrated in  FIG. 12 ), straps, eyelet loops, or any other device for one or more bearers to grip and transport hazardous material containment bag  10 . For greater comfort or ease of carrying hazardous material containment bag  10 , such as when the bearers are wearing safety gloves, gripping devices  25  can be proportionately larger than shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , to allow more room for the hand of the bearer.  FIG. 11  also shows a portion of thermal seal  130  along a perimeter of hazardous material containment bag  10  that is contoured around a gripping device  25 , so that the gripping devices  25  are external to compartment  135  (i.e., an interior volume between backing substrate  12  and cover  80 ) formed by thermal seal  130 .  FIG. 11  also shows a portion of binder material  18  along an outer edge of hazardous material containment bag  10 . 
     Gripping devices  25  can be positioned anywhere along the perimeter structure of hazardous material containment bag  10 , such as at the edges and/or along the sides of the hazardous material containment bag. Gripping devices  25  are preferably handholds (holes) that are positioned symmetrically along the ends and/or along the sides of hazardous material containment bag  10 . However, any gripping device  25  can also be a strap, eyelet loop, or any other device passing through backing substrate  12 . Each gripping device  25  permits manual gripping and lifting by a person serving as a carrier of hazardous material containment bag  10 , or insertion of one or more rigid structures, such as poles, or any combinations of these, to enhance the ease of carrying hazardous material containment bag  10  with human remains or a hazardous material therein. Hazardous material containment bag  10  has one or more gripping devices  25 , and preferably has two to ten gripping devices  25  positioned at any location of hazardous material containment bag  10 . Another embodiment has four to eight gripping devices  25  positioned along the perimeter of hazardous material containment bag  10 . 
     Reinforcement piece  35  is a separate piece of material having high-tensile properties, including, but not limited to, polyvinyl chloride, two-sided urethane-coated materials, polyesters, polypropylene, or any combinations thereof. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , an embodiment of hazardous material containment bag  10  having human remains  180  (also called “the decedent&#39;s body” in this application with the same meaning) placed therein is shown. In this embodiment, pocket  145  is shown on the second side  82  (external surface) of cover  80 .  FIG. 12  also shows thermal seal  130 , and indicates compartment  135  (in the interior of hazardous material containment bag  10 ) that is formed by thermal seal  130 . 
     Chemical agents include those known for use in chemical warfare and involve using the toxic properties of chemical substances as weapons. This type of warfare is distinct from nuclear warfare and biological warfare, which together make up NBC, the military acronym for nuclear, biological, and chemical (warfare or weapons), all of which are considered “weapons of mass destruction” (WMD). None of these WMD fall under the term conventional weapons that are primarily effective due to their destructive potential. Chemical warfare does not depend upon explosive force to achieve an objective. Rather, it depends upon the unique properties of the chemical agent weaponized. A lethal agent is designed to injure or incapacitate the enemy, or deny unhindered use of a particular area of terrain. Defoliants are used to quickly kill vegetation and deny its use for cover and concealment. It can also be used against agriculture and livestock to promote hunger and starvation. Many nations possess vast stockpiles of weaponized agents in preparation for wartime use. The threat and the perceived threat have become strategic tools in planning both measures and countermeasures. 
     Lethal chemical agents include blood agents, such as cyanogen chloride (CK) and hydrogen cyanide (AC), blister agents such as ethyldichloroarsine (ED), methyldichloroarsine (MD), phenyldichloroarsine (PD), Lewisite (L), sulfur mustard (HD, H, HT, HL and HQ) and nitrogen mustard (HN1, HN2 and HN3), nerve agents such as G-agent, Tabun (GA), Sarin (GB), Soman (GD), Cyclosarin (GF) and phosgene oxime (CX), pulmonary agents such as chlorine, chloropicrin (PS), phosgene (CG) and diphosgene (DP), incapacitating agents such as agent  15  (BZ), dimethylheptylpyran (DMHP), EA-3167, Kolokol-1, PAVA spray and sleeping gas. 
     A biological agent that can be controlled by hazardous material containment bag  10  includes a bacterium, virus, protozoan, parasite, or fungus that can be used purposefully as a biological weapon in bioterrorism or biological warfare (BW). In addition to these living and/or replicating pathogens, biological agents (toxins) are also included. More than 1,200 different kinds of potentially weaponizable biological agents have been described and studied to date. Biological agents have the ability to adversely affect human health in a variety of ways, ranging from relatively mild allergic reactions to serious medical conditions, including death. Many of these organisms are ubiquitous in the natural environment where they are found in water, soil, plants or animals. Biological agents can be amenable to “weaponization” to render them easier to deploy or disseminate. Genetic modification can enhance their incapacitating or lethal properties, or render them impervious to conventional treatments or preventives. Since many biological agents reproduce rapidly and require minimal resources for propagation, they are also a potential danger in a wide variety of occupational settings. 
     Known biological agents include anthrax, plague, cholera, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, typhus, equine encephalitis smallpox, botulism toxin, and ricin, among others. 
     Radioactive contamination, also called radiological contamination, is the deposition of, or presence of, radioactive substances on surfaces or within solids, liquids or gases (including the human body), where their presence is unintended or undesirable. Such contamination presents a hazard because of the radioactive decay of the contaminants, which emit harmful ionizing radiation such as alpha particles or beta particles, gamma rays or neutrons. The degree of hazard is determined by the concentration of the contaminants, the energy of the radiation being emitted, the type of radiation, and the proximity of the contamination to organs of the body. It is important to be clear that the contamination gives rise to the radiation hazard, and the terms “radiation” and “contamination” are not interchangeable. 
     A sampling of radioactive materials shows that most materials are useful and improve the human experience, but present dangers if present in too high concentration or are uncontained. Americium-241 (used in smoke detectors, to measure levels of toxic lead in dried paint samples, to ensure uniform thickness in rolling processes like steel and paper production, and to help determine where oil wells should be drilled), Cadmium-109 (to analyze metal alloys for checking stock and sorting scrap), Calcium-47 (important aid to biomedical researchers studying the cell function and bone formation of mammals), Cesium-137 (used to treat cancers, to measure correct patient dosages of radioactive pharmaceuticals, to measure and control the liquid flow in oil pipelines, to tell researchers whether oil wells are plugged by sand, and to ensure the correct fill level for packages of food, drugs and other products), Iodine-131 (used to diagnose and treat thyroid disorders). On the other hand, with overexposure or uncontrolled release, these materials can be dangerous or fatal. For example, Cesium-137 was a primary contaminant in the nuclear accident in Japan in 2011, and Iodine-131 concentrates in the thyroid upon exposure to excess levels and can cause thyroid dysfunction or cancer. 
     “Contaminant” as used in this application means a chemical, biological, radiological and/or toxicological agent, such as those agents described above. 
     Hazardous material containment bag  10  must be strong enough to hold the weight of a human body without breaking, even when transported over a great distance or exposed to inclement weather. The hazardous material containment bag  10  should be sufficiently large to completely enclose the decedent&#39;s body to conceal it from public view, and yet be sufficiently lightweight so as to be readily portable. Moreover, the outer shell of surface of the containment bag  10  must be able to resist decontamination procedures that are normally employed once the decedent&#39;s body is placed therein and before the containment bag  10  can be moved to another location. 
     “Lightweight” as used in this application means that hazardous material containment bag  10  has a total weight that is less than about 8 pounds, preferably has a total weight that is less than 7 pounds, and more preferably has a total weight that is about 6.6 pounds (2.99 kg). 
     Hazardous material containment bag  10  is strong enough to support carrying human remains or hazardous materials that weigh up to about 420 pounds (190.5 kg) to about 450 pounds (204.1 kg), whether hazardous material containment bag  10  is wet or dry. 
     When not in use, hazardous material containment bag  10  can be folded to a compact, portable size to be easily carried by a single person. Portability and reduced storage space requirements can be further enhanced by folding hazardous material containment bag  10  and placing the bag in a case that has some or all of the air removed by vacuum or negative pressure. This also reduces the likelihood of contamination, absorption of ambient moisture by absorbent body  14 , or premature activation of active agents in hazardous material containment bag  10  prior to use. 
     The outer dimensions of an embodiment of outer dimensions of an embodiment of hazardous material containment bag  10  are at least eighteen (18) inches in width and at least sixty-five (65) inches in length. A preferred embodiment of hazardous material containment bag  10  has outer dimensions that are about thirty-three and a half (33.5) inches in width by about seventy-eight (78) inches in length. A more preferred embodiment of hazardous material containment bag  10  has outer dimensions that are about thirty-six (36) inches (91 cm) in width by about ninety-one (91) inches (231 cm) in length. 
     Alternative embodiments of hazardous material containment bag  10  of the present disclosure have smaller outer dimensions that can hold and carry bodies of decedents who are children or small adults. An embodiment of hazardous material containment bag  10  of a smaller size has outer dimensions of about thirty-three (33) inches in width by about sixty (60) inches in length. A still smaller embodiment of hazardous material containment bag  10  has outer dimensions of about twenty (20) inches in width by about thirty-six (36) inches in length. A still smaller embodiment has outer dimensions of about twenty (20) inches in width by about fifteen (15) inches in length. 
     The smaller-dimensioned hazardous material containment bag  10  can hold and carry detached body parts, such as after an autopsy or an explosion. 
     Hazardous material containment bag  10  can enclose and/or transport the bodies of animals that have died, including, but not limited to, dogs, cats, birds, mice and other rodents, raccoons, squirrels, rabbits, deer, monkeys, and chimpanzees. Hazardous material containment bag  10  can transport animals that are killed on roads, as well as transport research animals that have died. 
     The overall thickness of hazardous material containment bag  10  (before use) is preferably about 0.125 inches (⅛ th  inch) (0.32 cm). 
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , a second embodiment of the present disclosure is a modular hazardous remains bag or system  185  having an outer bag  190  that is discrete and separate from an inner bag  200 . Contaminated material is placed inside inner bag  200 , which is then placed inside outer bag  190 . 
     Outer bag  190  provides physical stability to system  185 . Outer bag  190  can be used universally with any inner bag  200 . Inner bag  200  is designed to provide specific protection against specific threats. By providing specific inner bags  200  related to the specific threat involved, an individual or company that constantly deals with particular threats can purchase inner bags  200  designed to neutralize and contain only those threats. Additionally, if a new threat is developed in the future, inner bags  200  can be specifically designed to neutralize or contain the new threat, while easily being implemented into system  185 . 
     In addition to physical stability, outer bag  190  provides leak protection and abrasion resistance. Any material that can provide strength and durability can be used for outer bag  190 . Preferably, outer bag  190  is a 200 denier nylon with a polyurethane or similar backing. 
     Outer bag  190  can have an absorbent core  192  to contain any liquid and/or gas that may escape from inner bag  200  when inner bag  200  is in outer bag  190 . Absorbent core  192  can extend around, and thus, line the entire inner surface  194  of outer bag  190 . Preferably, absorbent core  192  is positioned only at a bottom of the interior volume of outer bag  190 . 
     Similar to the embodiments described in  FIGS. 1-12 , outer bag  190  preferably has gripping devices (not shown) on opposite sides of outer bag  190 . Gripping devices of outer bag  190  can be the same as gripping devices  25 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 20 , outer bag  190  can have a pocket  198  located on any outer surface. Pocket  198  is the same as pocket  145  described above. 
     Outer bag  190  is sized to accommodate any remains in the 95th percentile weight. Specifically, outer bag  190  has dimensions of approximately thirty-six (36) inches in width by approximately ninety-one (91) inches in length. Alternative embodiments of outer bag  190  of the present disclosure can have smaller outer dimensions that can accommodate bodies of decedents who are children or small adults, or larger dimensions for large adults. 
     Outer bag  190  has a closure  195 . Closure  195  provides access to the inside volume of outer bag  190 . Preferably, closure  195  is a zipper that has the same properties of closure  125 . 
       FIGS. 14 and 16  show inner bag  200  generally.  FIGS. 15( a ), 15( b ), and 17( a )-( d )  show inner bag  200  in more detail, and also show details of different embodiments of inner bag  200 , each explained in detail below. 
     Inner bag  200  has several layers designed to provide control and protection against specific hazards. Inner bag  200  has an absorbent core  202  made up of one or more airlaid layers of cellulose deposited on a carrier material, such as a tissue or polymer. Alternatively, absorbent core  202  can be a combination of cellulose and SAP in order to better contain the moisture inside inner bag  200 . 
     Absorbent core  202  can have one or more active agents therein. The particular active agent used is tailored to the specific threat to be neutralized or contained. The active agent can be selected from one or more antimicrobials, neutralizers, nanoparticles, or any of the other active agents listed in the present disclosure. An example of an antimicrobial is a quaternary ammonium salt, though any inorganic antimicrobial that will be activated with liquids, and any other organic compound that will disrupt cell membrane or reproduction in microorganisms, can be used instead or in addition to a quaternary ammonium salt. Additionally, active agent can be two or more precursors that form an antimicrobial gas when activated by water. 
     An outer layer  206  of inner bag  200  must have enough physical stability to avoid damage when adding the contaminants therein, and also when inserting inner bag  200  into outer bag  190 . Further, outer layer  206  has thermal heating properties since it has to be welded to prevent leakage. 
     Absorbent core  202  of inner bag  200  extends around, and thus, lines all or part of inner surface  207  of outer layer  206 . Preferably, absorbent core  202  lines all of inner surface  207  to inhibit the escape of any gases and/or liquids from inner bag  200 . 
     A suitable material for outer layer  206  is thermal polyurethane, which can optionally be laminated to nylon. The preferred thickness of the outer layer  206  is in the range of 5 mils-10 mils, but can be have a different thickness if laminated to nylon. 
     Inner bag  200  has a closure  210 . Closure  210  provides access to the inside volume of inner bag  200 . As explained in more detail below, closure  210  is designed to complement the specific use of inner bag  200 . 
     Preferably, absorbent core  202  defines a lip  209  that overlaps closure  212  to inhibit the escape of gases and/or liquids through closure  212 . Although the lip  209  is shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19  for a specific embodiment, it should be understood that lip  209  can be incorporated into all embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     A specific example of inner bag  200  that is designed for biological containment is represented by reference numeral  212  and is shown in  FIGS. 14, 15 ( a ) and  15 ( b ). Biological containment bag  212  has absorbent core  202 , with an antimicrobial chemical  208  disposed therein. Biological containment bag  212  further has outer layer  206  laminated to absorbent core  202 . Outer layer  206  is preferably a thermal polyurethane laminated to nylon. For this embodiment, closure  210  is preferably YKK Aqua Seal VFW-B. 
     A specific example of inner bag  200  that is designed for chemical containment is represented by reference numeral  214  and is shown in  FIGS. 16, 17 ( a ),  17 ( b ),  17 ( c ),  17 ( d ) and  18 .  FIGS. 17( b ) and 17( d )  show alternative embodiments of chemical containment bag  214 .  FIG. 19  shows chemical containment bag  214  enclosed within outer bag  190  in the context of system  185 . 
     For the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 17( a )-( b ) , chemical containment bag  214  has absorbent core  202  with active carbon  218  therein. Active carbon  218  is in powdered form in absorbent core  202 . In addition to, or instead of, active carbon  218 , other gas absorbing materials, such as clays or zeolites, can be used. This embodiment also has a chemical barrier  216  laminated to absorbent core  202 , and outer layer  206  that is positioned adjacent to chemical barrier  216 . 
     Chemical barrier  216  in conjunction with absorbent core  202  and active carbon  218  ensures that chemicals are contained in chemical containment bag  214 . Chemical barrier  216  controls or slows the rate diffusion of a given chemical to enhance how absorbent core  202  and active carbon  218  work together. Chemical barrier  216  has the capability of containing both liquids and gases inside chemical containment bag  214 . Chemical barrier  216  has a low oxygen transmission rate of approximately 0.75 to 0.05 cm 3 /in 2 /day. Suitable materials for chemical barrier  216  are coextruded multi-layered films, fluoropolymers, or similar films with a suitable oxygen transmission rate and chemical barrier properties. 
     For the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 17( c )-( d ) , chemical containment bag  214  has a layer  220  that is carbon cloth. Layer  220  serves the same function as the active carbon  218  in the embodiment of  FIG. 17( b ) . The carbon cloth for layer  220  is commercially available through Calgon and sold under the trade name Zorflex. Layer  220  can be laminated to absorbent core  220  with a suitable poly vehicle, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, depending on the specific properties to be obtained. This embodiment has chemical barrier  216  adjacent layer  220 , and outer layer  206  adjacent chemical barrier  216 . For this embodiment, closure  210  is preferably YKK 8TZ-PU or YKK Aqua Seal VFW-B. 
     Inner bag  200  can be made in different sizes to accommodate a particular user so long as the overall dimensions of inner bag  200  fit within outer bag  190 . Preferably, inner bag  200  can be approximately 28-30 inches in width by approximately 83-85 inches in length. Alternative embodiments of inner bag  200  of the present disclosure can have smaller outer dimensions that can accommodate bodies of decedents who are children or small adults, or larger dimensions for large adults. 
     The present disclosure also provides a method of using a hazardous material containment bag  10  that includes the following steps. Hazardous material containment bag  10  is removed from the case (if packaged before use) and unfolded. Closure  90  is opened to permit access to the interior of hazardous material containment bag  10 . A decedent&#39;s body or a hazardous material (such as a material or person contaminated by a chemical, biological, radiological or toxicological agent) is placed in hazardous material containment bag  10 . Cover  80  is pulled over the decedent&#39;s body to cover the body. Closure  90  is closed to completely enclose the body. Hazardous material containment bag  10 , with the human remains or hazardous material enclosed therein, can then be lifted and/or carried by one or more bearers who manually grip and lift hazardous material containment bag  10  by gripping devices  25  or by inserting rigid poles  28  through the gripping devices  25 . This can also be achieved by employing a mechanical device to lift hazardous material containment bag  10 . The bearers then transport hazardous material containment bag  10 , with the decedent&#39;s body or the hazardous material therein, for a desired distance. 
     The present disclosure also provides a method of using the hazardous material containment bag  100  shown in  FIGS. 5-7  and includes the following steps. Hazardous material containment bag  100  is removed from the case (if packaged before use) and unfolded. Closure  125  on outer shell  120  is opened to permit access to inner shell  110 . Closure  115  is opened to provide access to the interior volume of inner shell  110 . A decedent&#39;s body or a hazardous material is placed in inner shell  110 . Closure  115  is closed to completely enclose the decedent&#39;s body or hazardous material therein. Closure  125  is closed to close outer shell  120  and completely enclose inner shell  110  therein. In the embodiment where inner shell  110  is not attached to outer shell  120  (not shown), the steps of the method are the same, except that an additional step of placing inner shell  110  inside outer shell  120  is required before outer shell  120  is closed via closure  125 . Hazardous material containment bag  100 , with the human remains or hazardous material enclosed therein, can then be lifted and/or carried by one or more bearers who manually grip and lift hazardous material containment bag  100 . This can also be achieved by employing a mechanical device to lift hazardous material containment bag  100 . The bearers then transport hazardous material containment bag  100 , with the decedent&#39;s body or the hazardous material therein, for a desired distance. 
     The present disclosure also provides a method of using modular hazardous remains system  185  shown in  FIGS. 13-20 . This method includes the following steps. Outer bag  190  is removed from the case (if packaged before use) and unfolded. Closure  195  on outer bag  190  is opened to permit access to an interior volume of outer bag  190 . Closure  210  on inner bag  200  is also opened to permit access to an interior volume of inner bag  200 . Contaminants or human remains are placed inside inner bag  200 . Inner bag  200  is then closed via closure  210  to completely enclose the contaminants or human remains within inner bag  200 . Inner bag  200  is then placed inside outer bag  190 . Outer bag  190  is closed via closure  195  to completely enclose inner bag  200  therein. Hazardous remains system  185 , with the contaminants or human remains enclosed therein, can then be lifted and/or carried by one or more bearers who manually grip and lift hazardous remains system  185  to transport the contaminants or human remains where desired. A mechanical device can also be used to lift hazardous remains system  185 . 
     As used in this application, the word “about” for dimensions, weights, and other measures means a range that is ±10% of the stated value, more preferably ±5% of the stated value, and most preferably ±1% of the stated value, including all sub-ranges therebetween. Also as used herein, the terms “first” and “second” are for relative descriptive purposes only and do not connote that one comes before the other or that one has a superior position to the other. 
     It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the present disclosure. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the present disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variances that fall within the scope of the disclosure.