Security Industry
Diphoterine® for corrosive substance attacks — protecting personnel and the public
Since 2012, the UK has seen a dramatic rise in deliberate attacks using corrosive substances — colloquially referred to as acid attacks, though the substances used span the full pH scale and include both concentrated acids and highly alkaline chemicals. While reporting of incidents has fluctuated, the overall level of attacks remains high, with the pattern of incidents spreading from the initial hotspot of London into other major towns and cities across the UK.
The term acid attack is misleading. Many of the most damaging attacks have involved alkali substances — ammonia-based cleaning chemicals are among the most commonly used, and sulphuric acid-based drain cleaners have also been widely involved. The common thread is not the chemistry but the intent: to cause maximum corrosive damage to a victim's skin and eyes as rapidly as possible.
For security professionals — whether protecting high-profile individuals, managing venue or transport security, or deployed in close protection roles — this threat requires a first aid capability that standard water-based decontamination protocols cannot effectively deliver.
Water decontamination for corrosive substance attacks has two fundamental limitations in a security context. First, it requires very large volumes — quantities that are not feasible to carry in any operational security role. Second, water is passive: it dilutes the surface but cannot stop the chemical already diffusing into tissue, and it cannot be started whilst moving a principal to safety. In an attack scenario, the priority is simultaneously to begin decontamination and to remove the victim from further danger. These two needs conflict directly with a water-based protocol.
Diphoterine® resolves this conflict. As an active amphoteric decontaminant in a compact portable format, it can be carried by security personnel and applied immediately — while the principal is being moved to safety, before transfer to a medical facility, and without requiring the victim to remain stationary at a water source. The run-off from Diphoterine® decontamination is non-corrosive, which also reduces the risk of secondary contamination to responding personnel. Smaller volumes are required than water protocols, and the delivery format — compact spray units — ensures ease of application in dynamic, high-pressure situations.
The result is decontamination that is faster, more effective, and operationally compatible with the realities of a security incident response in a way that water cannot be.
DipHex works directly with security organisations, close protection teams, venue operators, and transport providers to ensure their personnel are equipped, trained, and operationally prepared to respond to corrosive substance attacks. Our Corrosive Attacks guide is available to download from the DipHex website.
COSHH and operational considerations
Security employers have a duty of care to personnel who may be exposed to corrosive substances in the course of their duties. Diphoterine® personal issue products — including compact belt-holster spray formats — allow individual security personnel to carry active decontamination capability on their person at all times. Diphoterine® systems conform with EN15154 Parts 3 and 4 — the European Standards for Emergency Eye and Skin Decontamination Equipment.
Contact DipHex on 01622 851000 or at enquiries@diphex.com to discuss Diphoterine® provision for your security team or organisation.