Alabama - Chemical Weapons Elimination Branch

Objective: Aid in the development of a comprehensive method to evaluate Anniston Chemical Agent Disposal Facility’s (ANCDF) closure process. Closure will protect the public (i.e., the greater Anniston population) from chemical agent exposure and will protect ANCDF workers from both chemical agent and general occupational hazards.

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Abstract:

US Army Chemical Materials Agency (CMA)-Anniston:

CMA-Anniston oversees the safe destruction of chemical warfare agents and munitions stored at the Anniston Chemical Agent Disposal Facility (ANCDF) in Alabama. Destruction began in 2003. By December 2008, ANCDF safely had destroyed all nerve agents (VX, GB). ANCDF is now preparing for the next processing phase, which includes the destruction of mustard agent, HD. The destruction of these nerve agents has eliminated about 98% of the risk to the public. The elimination of HD will, however, remain a significant handling risk to workers, particularly with regard to leaking/overpacked rounds.

CDC Chemical Weapons Elimination Branch (CWEB) Involvement:

CWEB involvement ranges from assistance in training community health workers who respond to chemical agent emergencies to evaluation of new scientific technologies to destroy chemical warfare agents and munitions.

Evaluation Aim/Goal:

Our involvement with CDC’s oversight program was with development of a comprehensive method by which we could evaluate ANCDF’s closure process. Our purpose was to ensure protection of the public (i.e., the greater Anniston population) from chemical agent exposure and protection of ANCDF workers from chemical agent and general occupational hazards. We believe a strong focus on worker safety ultimately leads to a more secure work environment, which in turn minimizes the risk of potential chemical agent exposure to the public. To provide insight into potential areas for ANCDF closure evaluation, we needed first to understand fully the intricate nature of chemical weapons processing and closure. Further, CMA’s final plans for Anniston post-closure activities have not been fully delineated. Consequently, to help ensure continued population and worker safety, we have offered several hypothetical indicators for further CDC consideration.

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