THE PROBLEM OF OLD CHEMICAL WEAPONS WHICH CONTAIN 'MUSTARD GAS' OR ORGANOARSENIC COMPOUNDS: AN OVERVIEW

摘要

In this brief overview the author has tried to explain how the problem of old and abandoned chemical munitions has arisen, to give some idea of the extent of the problem and to indicate what some countries are doing about the problem. The author has also tried to highlight those areas where further research is required such as:rn(a) new or improved techniques for the non-destructive analysis of the internal status and Contents of old munitions;rn(b) alternative methods for the preparation of old chemical munitions for safe disposal;rn(c) the development of destruction methods that can cope effectively with thickened or polymerised "mustard gas";rn(d) the development of environmentally acceptable destruction processes for chemical agents containing arsenic; andrn(e) the provision of additional data on the environmental impact of chemical agents and their degradation products.