Chemical Fate & Transport

Chemical warfare agents (CWAs) comprise several chemical classes including nerve and blister agents, which are compounds of concern due to their extremely high toxicity and persistence in the environment. A release of a persistent CWA inside a building would result in its deposition onto a large variety of materials ranging from nonporous, impermeable materials (e.g., metals and glass) to those with varying degrees of porosity (e.g., unsealed concrete, wood, and carpet).

EPA conducts research to help responders and decision makers understand the fate and transport of chemical warfare agents so that they can minimize human health effects and environmental impacts following the release of a CWA. EPA has conducted bench-scale studies to evaluate (1) the persistence of VX on various building materials and surfaces, and (2) the fate and transport of VX and sulfur mustard (HD) into porous and/or permeable materials. This information provides decision makers with practical information on these chemical warfare agents’ persistence, fate and transport to help inform the remediation strategies needed to reopen contaminated buildings or infrastructure.

Research Summaries

• Persistence of Chemical Warfare Agent VX on Building Material Surfaces
• Transport of Persistent Chemical Warfare Agents HD and VX into Porous Materials and Permeable Layers: Practical data for remediation of contaminated building materials

Research Reports

• Physical and Chemical Removal Options for Porous/Permeable Materials Contaminated with a Persistent Chemical Warfare Agent VX
• Natural Attenuation of Persistent Chemical Warfare Agent VX on Selected Interior Building Surfaces
• Natural Attenuation of the Persistent Chemical Warfare Agent VX on Porous and Permeable Surfaces
• Fate and Transport of Chemical Warfare Agents VX and HD across a Permeable Layer of Paint or Sealant into Porous Subsurfaces
• Remediation Options for Porous Materials Contaminated with Persistent Chemical Warfare Agents VX and HD
• Chemical Contaminant Persistence and Decontamination in Drinking Water Pipes: Results using the EPA Standardized Persistence and Decontamination Experimental Design Protocol