Toxicity of Hydrolyzed Chemical Agents to Aquatic Organisms.

At the U.S. Army Edgewood Research, Development and Engineering Center ERDEC, over 25,000 gal of solution containing agent breakdown products are disposed of each year through costly incineration andor contractor disposal. Researchers investigated the toxicity of hydrolyzedneutralized agents to determine if less restrictive disposal methods could be used. This research involved screening hydrolyzed agents in various media to determine their toxicity to selected aquatic organisms. Agents were hydrolyzed in 18 sodium hydroxide GB and GD and water HD and VX, then neutralized for use in aquatic toxicity studies. The toxicity of the neutralized solutions were determined by conducting toxicity assays using brine shrimp, Photobacterium phosphoreum MICROTOX, Daphrna magna, and sewage treatment plant biomass. Results showed that hydrolyzed HD was the least toxic to the test organisms, whereas hydrolyzed GBGD and VX were the most toxic. Toxicity studies were also conducted on the individual break down products in an attempt to identify the toxic components of the hydrolysate. Due to the toxicity of GB, GD, and VX hydrolysate, it would not be feasible for disposal to the sanitary sewers at this time. However, HD may be the most likely candidate for less restrictive disposal methods.