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Title: BIODEGRADATION OF CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENTS

Author
item Mulbry, Walter
item RAININA, EVGENIA - TEXAS A&M UNIV

Submitted to: Chemistry International
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/15/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Ratification of Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) has focused public attention on international efforts aimed at the destruction of chemical weapons and the remediation of sites contaminated with these compounds. The CWC sets an explicit timetable for signatory countries to destroy their chemical weapon stockpiles and related facilities. The destruction of chemical warfare agents and remediation of sites contaminated with these compounds will be an enormously costly process in the U.S. and internationally. Recent progress in the biodegradation of some of these compounds suggests that biological treatment may prove to be the most environmentally and economically feasible strategy for destroying some of the agents and for site remediation.