Evaluation of Chemical Events at Army Chemical Agent Disposal Facilities

For over a decade the Army has been carrying out a program aimed at the destruction of accumulated chemical weapons stored at several sites. While destruction by incineration has been successful, several incidents -- called chemical events -- occurred during the disposal process or decontamination activities that raised some public concerns about the safety of operations of three third generation incineration facilities. As a result, the Congress asked the NRC to investigate whether the incidents provide information useful to help ensure safe operation of the future sites. This book presents an analysis of causes of and responses to past chemical events, implications of such events for ongoing and future demilitarization activities, and recommendations for preparing for future events. The National Research Council Was Asked By The Army To Form A Special, Ad Hoc Committee To Investigate Whether Incidents Involving Chemical Warfare Material Stored, Processed, And Destroyed At The Two Operational Army Chemical Demilitarization Sites Provide Useful Information For The Safe Operation Of Future Sites--p. 1. The Chemical Demilitarization Challenge -- Causal Factors In Events At Chemical Demilitarization Facilities -- Responses To Chemical Events At Baseline Chemical Demilitarization Facilities -- Implications Of Past Chemical Events For Ongoing And Future Chemical Demilitarization Activities -- Preparing For Potential Future Chemical Events At Baseline Chemical Demilitarization Facilities -- Findings And Recommendations. Committee On Evaluation Of Chemical Events At Army Chemical Agent Disposal Facilities, Board On Army Science And Technology, Division On Engineering And Physical Sciences, National Research Council Of The National Academies. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 57-58). Also Issued Via The Internet At Http://www.nap.edu/catalog/10574.html As Of 12/02. Financial Support By The Dept. Of Defense Contract No. Daad 19-01-c-0051

For over a decade the Army has been carrying out a program aimed at the destruction of accumulated chemical weapons stored at several sites. While destruction by incineration has been successful, several incidents?called chemical events?occurred during the disposal process or decontamination activities that raised some public concerns about the safety of operations of three third generation incineration facilities. As a result, the Congress asked the NRC to investigate whether the incidents provide information useful to help ensure safe operation of the future sites. This book presents an analysis of causes of and responses to past chemical events, implications of such events for ongoing and future demilitarization activities, and recommendations for preparing for future events.