The Army's Program to Assure the Security and Safety of the Chemical Munitions Stockpile is Comprehensive and Effective
Abstract
The United States has a large stockpile of toxic chemical munitions and bulk agents to deter another country from using chemical warfare and to retaliate if deterrence is unsuccessful. The stockpile consists of various munitions and containers filled with these chemicals. These agents, known as mustard, GB, VX, and BZ, are described in appendix I. The majority of these chemical munitions and agents are at eight storage sites in the United States. These are Tooele Army Depot, Utah; Pueblo Depot ACtivity, Colorado; Pine Bluff Arsenal, Arkansas; Lexington-Blue Grass Depot Activity, Kentucky; Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland; Anniston Army Depot, Alabama; Newport Army Ammunition Plant, Indiana; and Umatilla Depot Activity, Oregon. Specific data on the amounts and types of munitions and agents at these locations is classified. The potential lethality of chemical agents and munitions and the current safety, psychological, political, and military implications of the release of chemical agents in the public domain require rigid and precise controls. To accomplish these ends, the Army has established a Chemical Surety Program to assure that all toxic chemical agents and their related weapons systems are maintained in a manner which enhances safety, security, and reliability.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA130357
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office