Why is incineration the most common method of chemical agent destruction?
Incineration was selected in the early 1980s by DoD as the preferred method for disposal of chemical agents and munitions after long and careful consideration of several technologies. The NRC endorsed this selection in 1984 and continues to regard incineration as a demonstrated safe “baseline technology”. Incineration is appropriate for several major reasons: • It effectively breaks down any type of chemical agent to relatively harmless or controllable end products. • The technology has matured into a reasonably well-controlled and well-understood body of knowledge. • The technology provides capable operation in a manner that is safe to workers and the public.
