National Academy of Sciences

National Academy of Engineering

Institute of Medicine

National Research Council

The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit, self-perpetuating society of distinguished scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research, dedicated to the furtherance of science and technology and to their use for the general welfare. Upon the authority of the charter granted to it by the Congress in 1863, the Academy has a mandate that requires it to advise the federal government on scientific and technical matters. Dr. Bruce M. Alberts is president of the National Academy of Sciences.

The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964, under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences, as a parallel organization of outstanding engineers. It is autonomous in its administration and in the selection of its members, sharing with the National Academy of Sciences the responsibility for advising the federal government. The National Academy of Engineering also sponsors engineering programs aimed at meeting national needs, encourages education and research, and recognizes the superior achievements of engineers. Dr. William A. Wulf is president of the National Academy of Engineering.

The Institute of Medicine was established in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences to secure the services of eminent members of appropriate professions in the examination of policy matters pertaining to the health of the public. The Institute acts under the responsibility given to the National Academy of Sciences by its congressional charter to be an adviser to the federal government and, upon its own initiative, to identify issues of medical care, research, and education. Dr. Kenneth I. Shine is president of the Institute of Medicine.

The National Research Council was organized by the National Academy of Sciences in 1916 to associate the broad community of science and technology with the Academy's purposes of furthering knowledge and advising the federal government. Functioning in accordance with general policies determined by the Academy, the Council has become the principal operating agency of both the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering in providing services to the government, the public, and the scientific and engineering communities. The Council is administered jointly by both Academies and the Institute of Medicine. Dr. Bruce M. Alberts and Dr. William A. Wulf are chairman and vice chairman, respectively, of the National Research Council.

The Committee on Review and Evaluation of the Army Non-Stockpile Chemical Materiel Disposal Program was appointed by the National Research Council (NRC) to conduct studies on technical aspects of the U.S. Army Non-Stockpile Chemical Materiel Disposal Program. During its first year, the committee evaluated the Army's plans to dispose of chemical agent identification sets (CAIS)—test kits used for training soldiers. During this second year, the committee has evaluated nonincineration technologies that could be used for the treatment of wastes from the neutralization of nonstockpile materiel.

During its initial meetings, the committee was given a number of briefings and held subsequent deliberations. The committee is grateful to the many individuals, particularly Lt. Col. Christopher Ross, Project Manager for Non-Stockpile Chemical Materiel, his staff, and his predecessor, Col. Edmund W. (“Ned”) Libby, who provided technical information and insights during these briefings. This information provided a sound foundation for the committee's deliberations.

This study was conducted under the auspices of the NRC's Board on Army Science and Technology. The committee acknowledges the support of the director, Bruce A. Braun, his staff, committee members, the study director, support staff, and the publication staff who all worked diligently on a demanding schedule to produce this report.

John B. Carberry, chair Committee on Review and Evaluation of the Non-Stockpile Chemical Materiel Disposal Program

This report has been reviewed by individuals chosen for their diverse perspectives and technical expertise, in accordance with procedures approved by the NRC's Report Review Committee. The purpose of this independent review is to provide candid and critical comments to assist the authors and the NRC in making the published report as sound as possible and to ensure that the report meets institutional standards for objectivity, evidence, and responsiveness to the study charge. The content of the review comments and the draft manuscript remain confidential to protect the integrity of the deliberative process. We wish to thank the following individuals for their participation in the review of this report:

James R. Fair, University of Texas

Richard S. Magee, New Jersey Institute of Technology

John L. Margrave, Rice University

Walter G. May, University of Illinois

Alvin H. Mushkatel, Arizona State University

George W. Parshall, E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company (retired)

Michael J. Ryan, NFT, Inc.

R. Peter Stickles, Arthur D. Little, Inc.

William Tumas, Los Alamos National Laboratory

Leo Weitzman, LVW Associates, Inc.

Although the reviewers listed above provided many constructive comments and suggestions, they were not asked to endorse the conclusions or recommendations nor did they see the final draft of the report before its release. The review of this report was overseen by Robert Connick, appointed by the NRC Report Review Committee, who was responsible for making certain that an independent examination of this report was carried out in accordance with institutional procedures and that all review comments were carefully considered. Responsibility for the final content of this report rests entirely with the authoring committee and the institution.

ACWA

Assembled Chemical Weapons Assessment (Program)

ATAP

Alternative Technology Approaches Program

CAIS

chemical agent identification sets

CWC

Chemical Weapons Convention

CWM

chemical warfare materiel

CVA

chlorovinylarsonic acid

DCDMH

dichloro-dimethylhydantoin

DOT

U.S. Department of Transportation

EDS

explosive destruction system

EPA

Environmental Protection Agency

FOTW

federally owned treatment works

GB

sarin (nerve agent)

GPCR

gas-phase chemical reduction

H

sulfur mustard

HD

sulfur mustard (distilled)

HN-1, H-3

nitrogen mustard

MEA

monoethanolamine

MMD

munitions management device

NATO

North Atlantic Treaty Organization

NSCMP

Non-Stockpile Chemical Materiel Program

NSCWCC

Non-Stockpile Chemical Weapons Citizens Coalition

O/SS

oxidant/solvent system

PCB

polychlorinated biphenyl

PINS

portable isotopic neutron spectroscopy

PMCD

Program Manager for Chemical Demilitarization

POTW

publicly owned treatment works

ppb

parts per billion

ppm

parts per million

psia

pounds per square inch absolute

RCRA

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

RRS

rapid response system

SCWO

supercritical water oxidation

SET

solvated-electron technology

TCLP

toxic characteristic leaching procedure

TSDF

treatment, storage, and disposal facility

UV

ultraviolet

VOC

volatile organic compound

VX

a nerve agent

WAO

wet-air/O₂ oxidation