Chemical agents are toxic compounds contained in a munition delivery system or stored in steel bulk storage containers called ton containers. The United States chemical agent stockpile was developed in the early 20th century as a deterrent to enemy troops using similar weapons against our nation’s troops.
Chemical weapons are chemical agent-filled munitions, including rockets, land mines, projectiles or bombs designed to disperse chemical agent, either from exploding weapons or through spray tanks attached to the underside of airplanes.
By 2012, the U.S. Army had destroyed 90 percent of the original U.S. Army chemical stockpile as required by international treaty. The remaining stockpile is securely stored at two locations – Pueblo Chemical Depot, Colorado, and Blue Grass Army Depot, Kentucky – pending destruction as required by international treaty.
Historically, burial of chemical warfare materiel on military installations where chemical weapons were manufactured, tested or stored was an acceptable means of disposal.
Periodically, these items are recovered during range-clearing operations or during environmental remediation efforts at active installations and formerly used defense sites.