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\nTwo categories of chemical warfare agents are found in the United States:
\n\n In 1986, enactment of PL 99-145 (50 USC 1521) mandated destruction of any stockpiles of lethal chemical agents. In 1997, the United States ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention Treaty. The United States thereby agreed to destroy any remaining stockpiles of chemical warfare agents no later than April 29, 2012 (revised date). Read more about the History of U.S. Chemical Weapons Elimination.
\nFrom World War I to the early 1960s, the amount of chemical warfare agents stockpiled in the United States is thought to have reached nearly 40,000 tons. These chemical warfare agents were stored in bulk containers or as assembled weapons and ammunition at nine sites in the United States. The chemical agents stored at U.S. sites include nerve agents and vesicant, or blister agents.
\nNerve Agents
\nVesicant, or Blister Agents
\nChemical warfare agents at seven of the nine chemical disposal facility sites have been destroyed and those facilities are closed. Facilities are under construction at the two remaining sites. Read more about Closing U.S. Chemical Warfare Agent Disposal Facilities.
\nSome chemical warfare items have not been stockpiled. These nonstockpiled items include
\nSome estimates suggest that these items remain at more than 100 sites in the United States and its territories. These items will require management for years to come.
\nThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides independent oversight to the U.S. Army\u2019s chemical weapons elimination program and serves as an important element in ensuring the safe destruction of chemical warfare material for protection of public health. The team\u2019s focus is prevention with vigilance. Read more about CDC\u2019s role in Elimination of Chemical Weapons.
\nCDC\u2019s responsibilities for safe chemical warfare agent disposal comprise two major categories: safely dispose of chemical warfare agents and, while doing so, protect public and worker health.
\nTo ensure safe disposal of chemical warfare agents, CDC
\nTo protect public health during chemical warfare agent disposal, CDC
\nCDC also provides DoD with recommendations to protect public health and to provide technical assistance regarding:
\nTechnician Calibrating Air Monitoring Device
\nChemical Weapons Elimination Facility,
Johnston Atoll