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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Technical support for recovery phase decision-making in the event of a chemical warfare agent release

Conference ·
OSTI ID:219491

In late 1985, Congress mandated that the U.S. stockpile of lethal unitary chemical agents and munitions be destroyed by the Department of the Army in a manner that provides maximum protection to the environment, the general public and personnel involved in the disposal program (Public Law 99-1, Section 1412, Title 14, Part b). These unitary munitions were last manufactured in the late 1960`s. The stockpiled inventory is estimated to approximate 25,000-30,000 tons, an includes organophosphate ({open_quotes}nerves{close_quotes}) agents such as VX [O-ethylester of S-(diisopropyl aminoethyl) methyl phosphonothiolate, C{sub 11}H{sub 26}NO{sub 2}PS] and vesicant ({open_quotes}blister{close_quotes}) agents such as Hd [sulfur mustard; bis (2-chloroethyl sulfide), C{sub 4}H{sub 8}Cl{sub 2}S]. The method of agent destruction selected by the Department of the Army is combined high-temperature and high-residence time incineration at secured military installations where munitions are currently stockpiled. This program supports the research program to address: the biomonitoring of nerve agent exposure; agent detection limits in foods and milk; and permeation of agents through porous construction materials.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
Department of Defense, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OR21400
OSTI ID:
219491
Report Number(s):
CONF-9505224--2; ON: DE96008641
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English