An oxidizing liquid (20), such as hydrogen peroxide, is vaporized (18) and the vapor is used to deactivate nerve gas, blistering gas, or other biologically active substances such as pathogens, biotoxins, and prions. A second chemical compound (42) in vapor, mist, or fog form is used in conjunction with the oxidizing vapor. In one embodiment, the second chemical preconditions the biologically active substances to be deactivated more efficiently by the oxidizing vapor. In another embodiment, the s...

A method for decontaminating and neutralizing solid residue remaining in a munition shell of an abandoned chemical weapon includes the steps of dissolving the solid residue using an organic solvent to obtain a solid residue solution, and neutralizing the solid residue solution with an alkaline solution and an oxidant.

Methods and systems for processing vesicants as well as other irritants are described. In some methods a vesicant, for example, a Lewisite such as the L1 form, the L2 form, L3 form, or combination thereof, is combined with permanganate, for example, as an aqueous solution of sodium permanganate. The methods can include releasing the vesicants or irritants from a munition, for example, by explosively rupturing the munition.

Compositions and methods for destroying biological agents such as toxins and bacteria are provided wherein the substance to be destroyed is contacted with finely divided metal oxide or hydroxide nanocrystals. In various embodiments, the metal oxide or metal hydroxide nanocrystals have reactive atoms stabilized on their surfaces, species adsorbed on their surfaces, or are coated with a second metal oxide. The desired metal oxide or metal hydroxide nanocrystals can be pressed into pellets for use ...

A process for the low temperature, non-incineration decontamination of contaminated materials, such as chemical weapon components containing residual quantities of chemical warfare agents. The process includes the steps of (a) contacting the contaminated materials with steam at substantially ambient pressure in a substantially dry first heated vessel for a period of at least about 15 minutes, the steam being at a temperature of at least about 560.degree. C., (b) removing condensible and non-cond...

A method and apparatus for neutralizing biological and/or chemical warfare agents using an ozone-containing solution. The ozone-containing solution is produced by combining ozone-containing gas with an ozone vehicle, such as an organic solution. The ozone-vehicle prolongs the shelf life of the ozone to allow for extended periods of storage. A storage container is used to store the ozone-containing solution and facilitate its transportation to an environment contaminated by the biological and/or ...

A method for deactivating a toxic chemical agent comprising contacting said toxic chemical agent with an halogenated resin.

A process for the chemical destruction of sulphur mustard by chemical conversion which comprises in the step of reacting sulphur mustard with a thiophilic agent prepared by dissolving sulphur in ethylenediamine and/or ethanol diamine.

A process for the low temperature, non-incineration decontamination of contaminated materials, such as chemical weapon components containing residual quantities of chemical warfare agents. The process includes the steps of (a) contacting the contaminated materials with steam at substantially ambient pressure in a substantially dry first heated vessel for a period of at least about 15 minutes, the steam being at a temperature of at least about 560.degree. C., (b) removing condensible and non-cond...

A process is provided for decontaminating metal objects, such as warhead components having hazardous materials adherent thereto. In the process, the objects are contacted with steam at a temperature above about 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit for a period of at least about 15 minutes under sub-atmospheric conditions. Thereafter, the steam used in the process is condensed to form a condensate and the condensate is used as a makeup component for an aqueous pacifying solution for pacification hazardous ma...