A chemical sensor having a sol-gel material affixable to a predetermined surface, and an indicator within the sol-gel, for detecting and signaling the presence of at least one chemical is provided. Also provided is an indicator for detecting and indicating a presence of at least one chemical. The indicator includes a sol-gel material affixable to a predetermined surface and an indicator within the sol-gel, for detecting and signaling the presence of at least one chemical. There is provided a method of detecting at least one chemical by applying the indicator from above to a predetermined surface of an object and indicating the presence of a chemical. A method of making a chemical sensor encapsulating within a sol-gel a detector capable of detecting and signaling a presence of at least one chemical. A decontaminating agent for removing contaminants from an area, the decontaminating agent being formed of a sol-gel material affixable to a predetermined surface and a decontaminator having an affinity for the contaminants within the sol-gel for decontaminating at least one chemical present in the area.