Destruction Of Chemical Weapons Research Articles

Lessons from the Chemical Weapons Convention Negotiations and Implementation for the Diplomatic Challenges of Negotiating ‘Irreversibility’

ABSTRACT Negotiating an international disarmament treaty that has as one of its core requirements the concept of “irreversibility” will be a major task, especially so if the aim is to ensure that nuclear weapons and the means of their production and maintenance are irreversibly destroyed. The task exists on several levels: the practical and technical – how to design and implement an effective verification regime, the legal – how to frame necessary treaty definitions, prohibitions and controls; and diplomatic – negotiating and agreeing on the treaty provisions and the temporal factors. The Chemical Weapons Convention’s main objective is the destruction of chemical weapons and their production facilities, but an equally important objective is prevention of their re-emergence. At the heart of the matter is the concept of dual-use where materials and facilities have both legitimate peaceful purposes and actual or potential for hostile purposes, and the basic starting materials required exist in nature. The same applies in the nuclear context. So what can we learn from the CWC? A treaty with nuclear irreversibility as its goal will face multiple challenges. Setting and agreeing treaty language that is clear on scope and enables trouble-free implementation over many decades will not be easily achieved given the record of existing and previous arms control and disarmament treaties. However, there is likely to be one crucial difference: a treaty with nuclear irreversibility as its sole purpose will not be negotiated and implemented in the sort of conflicted world that we saw during the Cold War.

History of the use of chemical weapons for military purposes and the possibility of their current use

Throughout the history of mankind there have been many wars of both local character and large-scale wars. At the heart of military actions necessarily lies the use of weapons, one type of which is chemical. Chemical weapons, the basis of which are diverse in their effect on the body and chemical composition of poisonous substances, began to be used for military purposes during World War I, namely, the first use occurred on April 22, 1915 in Belgium near the city of Ypres. Germany used gas cylinders filled with chlorine in this attack. The man who created this weapon was German chemist Fritz Haber, who became known as the "father of chemical weapons". Since that time, scientists from different countries began to actively study the effect of poisonous substances on the human body, synthesize their new types, as well as search for reliable means of protection against its effects. Throughout history, attempts have been made to ban the use of chemical weapons. In particular, after the end of the First World War, the Geneva Protocol was adopted in 1925, prohibiting the use of asphyxiating, poisonous or other similar gases in war. However, this agreement failed to limit the use of poisonous substances, which led to their further use, mainly in localized wars. Much work on the prohibition and destruction of chemical weapons belongs to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, established in 1997 after the adoption of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction in 1993. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the history of chemical weapons for military purposes, as well as to study the activities for their prohibition. Literary data of recent years on the history of creation, use of chemical weapons and international legal agreements on their prohibition and destruction, the main types of toxic substances, means of protection against their effects are analyzed. Conclusions are made about the possibilities of chemical weapons use at present.

Мониторинг почв в районе предприятий по утилизации опасных промышленных отходов

The article provides proposals for organizing and conducting soil monitoring in the vicinity of the enterprise for recycling waste of I and II hazard class. Ecotechnopark “Mirny” is organized in the Kirov region on the basis of the former chemical weapons destruction facility. We propose a list of indicators, controlled in soils, based on information on the composition of emissions, requirements of regulatory documents, results of engineering and environmental surveys and environmental impact assessments. A soil monitoring network was recommended, including 14 sites located in different biocenoses in accordance with the wind rose and terrain features, which is coordinated with the air and vegetation monitoring network. The developed monitoring regulations provide for different frequency of soil sampling and analysis for various indicators depending on the technological process, composition of emissions at each stage, and provides for soil survey immediately before the start of operation of the facility. This survey will allow us to assess the natural-anthropogenic background and subsequently assess the level of environmental impact by accumulative trend in the content of pollutants. This approach seems relevant in a high soil cover complexity, remoteness of protected areas, construction of the object on previously developed territories, and contradictory and incomplete information about the regional background. Annually soil sampling from the upper layers of soil seems advisable. If contamination of the upper horizon is detected, soil samples from the underlying layers should be analyzed to determine the depth of contamination. It is especially important when groundwater is close to the ground.

Vectorial-Criterion-BasedAssessment of Ecological State ofthe Natural-Engineering System

The article deals with the issues of assessing the ecological state of the territory of natural-engineering systems as the critical indicator of their stability. A brief analysis of the natural environment pollution assessment criteria based upon the scalar convolutions of ecological monitoring data arrays is provided. It is stated that neglecting mutual correlation of the pollution indicators being measured in the course of ecological monitoring reduced informative value of the mentioned criteria. Instructional aspects of plotting the territory pollution assessment criterion based upon dimension reduction and de-correlation of the ecological monitoring data array is presented. The results of monitoring the soil mantle pollution at the territory of the local natural-engineering system comprising the chemical weapons destruction facility and the natural environment within the boundaries of the protective action zone are taken as the example. The results of use of the Principal Components Analysis for dimension reduction and de-correlation of the monitoring data array are presented. The possibility of substituting three principal components for eleven pollution indicators without sacrificing the acceptable informative value of description is presented. Switch to orthogonal basis in the principal components’ space allows reviewing the values of the latter at the point as the projection in general case of a multi-dimensional vector which is called the damage vector and can be used as the integrated indicator of pollution. The options of pollution assessment on the basis of comparison of the current and initial moduli of the pollution vector as well as with the use of the surface of critical pollutions is considered. The possibility to simplify the structure of neural networks for forecasting the pollution degree by means of the neural network’s single output parameter in the form of the pollution vector is provided. The example of using the neural network trained on the soil mantle background monitoring data for forecasting the current soil pollution at the points of the protective action zone is provided. A perceptron having one hidden layer describes satisfactorily the distribution of the pollution vector over the territory five years after the man-made facility has been commissioned is demonstrated.

The study of adhesive interactions in the ice-asphalt concrete system is the key to the safety of road transport communications

The development of the transport system in any country significantly affects economic development. The active development of the transport system requires high-quality roads, as this affects the safety of their operation and especially during low temperatures. During this period, roads are covered with ice or snow, which requires their speedy removal. The quality of the road surface depends on the adhesion of ice with road clothes. The article deals with the issue of adhesive interactions in the ice-asphalt concrete system. The developed methodology can determine the adhesion of ice to the surface of the road surface. This circumstance will allow using various additives and varying the composition and components of asphalt concrete to reduce adhesive interactions. Reduced adhesive interactions will allow to remove ice and snow more quickly, and this will reduce the number of road accidents, which will save people's lives and health. Bituminous salt mass, which is a waste from the destruction of chemical weapons of the organophosphorus group, is considered as modifiers. Its chemical composition is considered, which makes it possible to ensure its effect of surfactants. The experiments were performed and processed using the theory of experiment planning. The response surfaces of a particular sample of the general population and the regularities described by regression equations, the adequacy of which is verified by the Fisher and Cochrane criteria, are obtained.

The use of diffusion chambers in embryotoxic research

Introduction. Currently, there are no standard methodological approaches that allow assessing the danger to human and animal reproduction of poorly soluble chemicals (industrial waste, products of destruction of organic substances, polymer materials), including substances that form complex poorly soluble systems with environmental objects. It may be impossible or ineffective to use standard routes of administration of such substances and complexes to assess their reproductive hazard. An attempt to find an experimental model for conducting toxicological and embryotoxicological studies that allow assessing the danger of prolonged interaction of poorly soluble compounds directly with tissue fluids was the main aim of the work. The study aims to investigate the possibility of using diffusion chambers to assess the reproductive hazard of poorly soluble chemicals. Material and methods. In experiments with chemicals, the researchers placed samples of dry preparations in the inner cavity of one of the rings. Experts sealed the ring on both sides with millipore membranes. The diffusion chambers obtained in this way were implanted into the abdominal cavity or under the skin in the cervical region of female rats during the most sensitive days of pregnancy to pathogenic effects. Results. When implanting diffusion chambers to animals, the possibility of assessing the embryotoxic properties of poorly soluble chemicals, such as bitumen-salt masses, polymer materials and coatings, etc., as well as soil contamination with substances potentially dangerous to the reproductive function of humans and animals is shown. With the help of diffusion chambers, experts assessed the embryotoxic activity of known dysmorphogens, cyclophosphamide, cadmium sulfate, as well as a number of polymer materials (di-paraxilylene film, acrylic acid copolymer, silloxane rubber), Scientists assessed soil contamination with a known insecticide and acaricide - endosulfan. Limitations. In the work, the experts used diffusion chambers with a volume of 400, 900 or 3000 m3. Conclusion. As a result of the experiments conducted, scientists determined that the presented method can be used to assess the reproductive hazard of poorly soluble chemicals (products of destruction of organic matter, polymer and endoprosthesis materials), when assessing the risk of prolonged presence of foreign bodies in tissues, when assessing soil contamination in places of chemical accidents, rocket crashes, storage and destruction of chemical weapons. Ethics. The study was carried out in compliance with the rules of bioethics approved by the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrates Used for Experimental and Other Purposes (Protocol No. 4 of 8.11. 2022).

New Chemical Weapons Destruction Technologies as the Key to Successful Completion of Chemical Weapons Disarmament Process

The fulfillment of international obligations of the Russian Federation under the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction required the development and the creation of safe innovative industrial technologies and facilities for the destruction of chemical weapons. The purpose of this work is to give brief characteristics of the technologies for the destruction of chemical weapons developed and commercially implemented at various facilities. The destruction of chemical weapons was carried out at seven facilities specially designed and built for this purpose. These facilities were located in six regions of the country. The choice of technologies for the destruction (utilization) of chemical weapons was carried out on a competitive basis in the period from 1992 to 1995.The priority was given to the so-called two-stage technology. At the first stage, the toxic chemicals were extracted from the munitions or the containers and detoxified chemically in «soft» controlled conditions. Then the empty munitions were degassed. At the second stage, thermal neutralization or bituminization of the reaction masses was carried out with their subsequent burial. The two-stage technology for the destruction of mustard and mustard-lewisite mixtures was based on the interaction of toxic chemicals with an 80 ± 5% aqueous solution of monoethanolamine, which was supplied into the reactor at a temperature of 60–80 °C in the ratio toxic chemical: degassing formulation - 1:1.2 according to mass. The detoxification process was considered completed if the content of toxic chemicals in the reaction mass did not exceed 3,2×10 -3 %. To destroy lewisite, a «short scheme» in a jet-type reactor was implemented. The mixing of the initial reagents, lewisite and 20% alkali solution, was carried out using a nozzle of a special design, where lewisite was swirled with a special device (swirler) and supplied into the reactor. The first stage of the destruction of V-gases was carried out in munitions cases. The munitions were considered as chemical reactors. The process of detoxification of V-gases was considered completed when the residual content of toxic chemicals was at the level of 5×10 -4 %, and the reaction mass was delivered for thermal neutralization (second stage). In total, 39966,588 tons of toxic chemicals were destroyed. The whole number of destroyed containers with agents and chemical munitions amounted to 4,158,456 units. On September 27, 2017, the last chemical weapon was destroyed at the Kizner chemical weapons destruction facility, thus completing the process of complete destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles in the Russian Federation.

Accumulations of technogenic emissions in the snow cover of the north-west in the Kurgan region

The study of the accumulation and spatial distribution of ecotoxicants on agricultural lands is one of the important aspects in solving the problem related to the environmental safety of animal feed and food products obtained. In this regard, there is a need to assess the content of pollutants in the chain atmosphere – snow cover. The purpose of the research was to assess the level of contamination of the snow cover of agricultural enterprises in the areas of the north-west of the Kurgan region exposed to man-made impacts. In the north-western part of the Kurgan region three variants of territories were identifi ed that diff er in the degree of environmental stress. The fi rst territory is experiencing the load from the nearby powerful South Ural industrial agglomeration, subject to transboundary man–made pollution, spreading both by water and aerogenically (Kataysky area); the second territory is the subject to transboundary man-made pollution by enterprises of the Chelyabinsk region, and is the location of facilities for the storage and destruction of chemical weapons (Shchuchansky area); the third territory is the territory of relative ecological well–being (Shadrinsky and Kargapolsky areas). In the areas of the north-west of the Kurgan region, the zonal nature of technogenic pollution of snow cover and soils has been revealed. Pollution of the studied territories occurs through the introduction of technogenic aerosols, as well as the influence of local sources. It was revealed that nitrites, nitrates, ammonium nitrogen, manganese make up the largest share in the association of pollution of the studied territories, while sulfates, chlorides and zinc make up the smallest share. In the snow cover, the highest concentration of heavy metals was detected in the fi rst and second territories. The third territory is subject to contamination by the studied elements to a lesser extent.

Health status analysis of the population living in the zone of protective measures of a chemical weapons destruction facility, during the conversion period

Introduction. One of the tasks to be solved in the framework of the of the “Destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles in the Russian Federation” Federal Targeted Program was the social and hygienic monitoring (control) over the health of the population living in the zones of protective measures (ZPMs) of chemical weapons destruction facilities (CWDFs) as an integral part of state policy in the field of ensuring citizens’ guarantees for a favorable living environment and preservation of life and health. The purpose of the study is to determine the possible impact of the conversion of a chemical weapons destruction facility on the health of the population living in the zone of protective measures. Materials and methods. The article presents the results of the assessment, according to the statistical reporting forms, the health parameters of the population living in the zone of protective measures of the Maradykovsky CWDF located in the Kirov region. Results. Analysis of the medical and demographic parameters of the Orichi and Kotelnich Districts, Kirov Region, located in the ZPM zone of the Marazykovsky CWDF, in 2018, a decrease in the population compared to the previous year by 0.7% and 2.1%, respectively, was revealed. The birth rate proved to be lower compared to the weighted average birth rates over the period of 2010-2015, and the overall mortality rate proved to be higher than the birth rate, which was explained by the aging of the population and the regressive type of age structure. The prevalence and primary morbidity rates among the adult population were statistically significantly lower than the levels in the control groups (p < 0.05), and the structure of prevalence and primary morbidity compared with the respective values for the control group. Comparison of the prevalence rates for certain classes of diseases between the populations living in the territory in focus and in other territories revealed no increase in the mass noninfectious morbidity threshold. Limitations. When studying the health indicators of the population living in the zone of protective measures of the chemical weapons destruction facility “Maradykovsky”, located in the Kirov region, an assessment of the statistical reporting materials of the departments of the MIAC of the Kirov region, data from reporting forms No. 12 “Information on the number of diseases registered in patients living in the service area of the medical institution” of the Kirov region was carried out. Conclusion. The study revealed no correlation the activities of the the Maradykovsky CWDF during the conversion period and the health status of the population living in the ZPM of the facility.

Federal Directorate for Safe Storage and Destruction of Chemical Weapons – 30th Anniversary

The Russian Federation has ratified the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction, and thereby reaffirmed its international obligations assumed in the field of chemical disarmament. To solve the problem of the destruction of chemical weapons, given its complexity and versatility, the Presidential Federal Target Program «Destruction of stockpiles of chemical weapons in the Russian Federation» was developed. This article is dedicated to the history of the formation of a unique structure – the Federal Office for the Safe Storage and Destruction of Chemical Weapons and the formation of a team of its specialists who directly performed the difficult task of destroying chemical weapons. September 27, 2017 at the facility for the destruction of chemical weapons in the village Kizner of the Udmurt Republic, in a special ceremony, the last chemical munition was destroyed. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has recorded the fact of the complete destruction of chemical weapons in the Russian Federation with the relevant certificates. The program for the destruction of chemical weapons was completed 3 years ahead of schedule, with savings of 9.6 billion rubles. The main results of the completed process of destruction of chemical weapons are that no human life has been lost and no damage has been done to the environment. Currently, the Federal Directorate is implementing measures within the framework of the departmental project «Liquidation of the consequences of the activities of storage facilities and facilities for the destruction of chemical weapons in the Russian Federation» of the state program of the Russian Federation «Development of industry and increasing its competitiveness»

New Chemical Weapons Destruction Technologies as the Key to Successful Completion of Chemical Weapons Disarmament Process

The fulfillment of international obligations of the Russian Federation under the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction required the development and the creation of safe innovative industrial technologies and facilities for the destruction of chemical weapons. The purpose of this work is to give brief characteristics of the technologies for the destruction of chemical weapons developed and commercially implemented at various facilities. The destruction of chemical weapons was carried out at seven facilities specially designed and built for this purpose. These facilities were located in six regions of the country. The choice of technologies for the destruction (utilization) of chemical weapons was carried out on a competitive basis in the period from 1992 to 1995. The priority was given to the so-called two-stage technology. At the first stage, the toxic chemicals were extracted from the munitions or the containers and detoxified chemically in «soft» controlled conditions. Then the empty munitions were degassed. At the second stage, thermal neutralization or bituminization of the reaction masses was carried out with their subsequent burial. The two-stage technology for the destruction of mustard and mustard-lewisite mixtures was based on the interaction of toxic chemicals with an 80 ± 5% aqueous solution of monoethanolamine, which was supplied into the reactor at a temperature of 60–80 °C in the ratio toxic chemical: degassing formulation - 1:1.2 according to mass. The detoxification process was considered completed if the content of toxic chemicals in the reaction mass did not exceed 3,2×10-3%. To destroy lewisite, a «short scheme» in a jet-type reactor was implemented. The mixing of the initial reagents, lewisite and 20% alkali solution, was carried out using a nozzle of a special design, where lewisite was swirled with a special device (swirler) and supplied into the reactor. The first stage of the destruction of V-gases was carried out in munitions cases. The munitions were considered as chemical reactors. The process of detoxification of V-gases was considered completed when the residual content of toxic chemicals was at the level of 5×10-4%, and the reaction mass was delivered for thermal neutralization (second stage). In total, 39966,588 tons of toxic chemicals were destroyed. The whole number of destroyed containers with agents and chemical munitions amounted to 4,158,456 units. On September 27, 2017, the last chemical weapon was destroyed at the Kizner chemical weapons destruction facility, thus completing the process of complete destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles in the Russian Federation.

THE CONFLICT IN SYRIA IN THE CONTEXT OF GERMAN DIGITAL PUBLICATIONS

Press coverage of military conflicts is aimed at directly informing about combat and conflict actions: wars, religious and ethnic conflicts, special operations. However, the military conflict affects all spheres of society, including the media, changing the media discourse. Therefore, a significant role is played by the way in which the media present the problem of the conflict. The military and politicians use the media to spread the ideas that may be beneficial to them. The media are becoming not just a means of information and communication, but become full-fledged mechanisms and instruments of politics. It is especially necessary to pay attention to this in the conditions of a military conflict, because most of the media are owned by the political and economic elite. The conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic was one of the main directions in German foreign policy. German diplomacy highly appreciates its contribution to the organization of the destruction of chemical weapons, financial assistance to the affected state. Today, Germany is the organizer of conferences and negotiations on the topic of the war in Syria on a permanent basis. The purpose of this work is to determine the semantic and emotional content of the agenda of German digital publications in the context of the military conflict in Syria. The study made it possible to identify key topics, socio-economic and political problems around the conflict in Syria, which through the media had a significant impact on the public agenda in Germany.

The integrated environmental monitoring system as a key factor of environmental safety of chemical weapons storage and destruction facilities

In the destruction of chemical weapons initiated in the Russian Federation in 1996, environmental safety issues played a key role in the creation of facilities for storing and destroying chemical weapons. The process of destroying chemical weapons is at the stage of eliminating consequences of activities and involving former destruction facilities in the economic turnover. The issue of development of safety systems is relevant. The purpose of the article is to study problems in the system of environmental safety insurance at chemical weapons destruction facilities and to identify possible ways of further development. The main methods used are analysis of information, induction, analogies, and generalization. The following conclusions were drawn: the environmental safety system fits into the system of safety insurance; the key subsystem is highly accurate and prompt environmental monitoring. Responding to the principles of the construction of head systems, complex monitoring systems were created at chemical weapons destruction facilities. The improvement of this subsystem can improve the environmental safety at these facilities; further development of the integrated environmental monitoring system requires the methods of data analysis and processing tools. Since the result of the monitoring system is information, its processing and interpretation is the most complex and time-consuming process. The use of modern information processing tools can reduce the time for an analysis, improve the quality, and create an information base for decision support systems in the environmental safety system. The research made it possible to outline further ways to improve the environmental safety systems at chemical weapons destruction facilities, which will further ensure the environmental safety and sustainability of chemical weapons destruction facilities and other potentially dangerous facilities that affect the environment.

Analysis of the applicability of methods for rehabilitation of the territories of chemical weapons destruction facilities

Analysis of the applicability of methods for rehabilitation of the territories of chemical weapons destruction facilities

The CWC at 25: from verification of chemical-weapons destruction to attribution of their use

ABSTRACT This article analyzes the shifting focus of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) during the first 25 years of its implementation, from the verification of destruction of declared chemical-weapon (CW) stockpiles to the attribution of CW use. The article identifies the repeated use of chemical weapons by Syria and the resultant creation of a new attribution norm under the CWC as a critical juncture in the regime’s evolution. Repeated calls for accountability for the use of so-called Novichok nerve agents for assassination purposes serve as the first manifestation of the new attribution norm. The article further outlines steps CWC states parties should take in the context of the Fifth CWC Review Conference in May 2023 to prepare the CW-prohibition regime for its next 25 years of operation by (1) adapting the implementation of key regime norms following the anticipated completion of CW destruction later in 2023 and (2) incorporating the investigation and attribution work of the Investigation and Identification Team into the programmatic work of the OPCW.

О целесообразности внедрения цикла специальной подготовки врачей-токсикологов по теме «Химикаты двойного назначения — потенциал для создания современного химического оружия»

Актуальность. Химикаты двойного назначения и их потенциальное воздействие являются постоянным объектом наблюдения со стороны многих международных организаций, однако данная информация до сих пор не нашла должного отражения в учебных программах подготовки военных токсикологов. Цель. Подтверждение актуальности расширения спектра знаний по токсикологии химикатов двойного назначения и разработки цикла тематического усовершенствования по этому вопросу. Материалы и методы. Проанализированы материалы Организации по запрещению химического оружия, Австралийской группы, Организации по безопасности и сотрудничеству в Европе по вопросам международного регулирования химического и токсичного оружия. Результаты. Автором обобщены ключевые компоненты системы международного наблюдения за химическими веществами — компонентами химического оружия, дана характеристика химикатов двойного назначения. Представленные списки химикатов подразделяются в зависимости от степени потенциального риска и масштаба коммерческого применения. Подчеркивается, что в учебных программах последипломной подготовки военных врачей преимущественно уделяется внимание изучению оружия массового поражения на основе методологии, разработанной еще во времена Второй мировой войны. Учитывая вышеизложенное, существует необходимость пересмотра учебных программ последипломной подготовки военных врачей с целью создания возможности приобретения слушателями знаний по токсикологии химикатов двойного назначения и современных международных норм их наблюдения и регулирования. Выводы. В современных условиях существует необходимость совершенствования учебных программ последипломной подготовки военных врачей в аспекте изучения токсикологии химикатов двойного назначения и международных норм их контроля.

Возможности и ограничения анализа смывов с поверхностей для контроля контаминации объектов высокотоксичными органическими соединениями

Wipe sampling is widely used for microbiological control purposes. Sanitary and chemical studies also include analysis of samples wiped from the work surfaces during routine and periodic working conditions safety inspections at chemical facilities. The analysis also allows assessing the toxicity and hazard of items/structures that could be in contact with highly toxic substances. This study aimed to investigate the capabilities and limitations of the surface wipe sample analysis method in control of residual contamination of equipment and building structures of a former chemical weapons destruction facilities (CWDF) with sulfur mustard and O-isobutyl-S(2-diethylaminoethyl) methylphosphonothioate (VR), as well as their degradation products. Gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) enabled identification of the sulfur mustard markers, high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) allowed identifying VR markers. An assessment of the matrix influence on the results of GC-MS/MS and HPLC-MS/MS analysis was carried out. The matrix effect was established to affect the results the most in case of HPLC-MS/MS analysis: for GC-MS/MS analysis of target substances, the matrix factor averaged at 60–80%, for HPLC-MS/ MS it was less than 40%. The average percent sulfur mustard recoveries from three types of surfaces (PVC tiles, laminate and metal plates) was 9 ± 2%, 0.13 ± 0.02% and 0.10 ± 0.03%; in case of VR, the recoveries was 2.7 ± 0.5%, 11.8 ± 0.3% and 0.8 ± 0.1%, respectively. The limits of detection for sulfur mustard by GC-MS/MS and VR by HPLC-MS/MS were established at 0.001 MPL and 0.02 MPL, respectively. The developed approaches were applied to the analysis of wipe samples from the surfaces of the equipment and engineering structures of the former CWDF.

Гигиеническая оценка объектов по уничтожению химического оружия при ликвидации последствий деятельности и перепрофилировании

After elimination of the chemical weapons, it is necessary to relieve the consequences of operation of the chemical weapons destruction facilities (CWDF). This study aimed to assess the results of such relieve activities from the hygienic point of view. The assessment allows considering partial conversion of the CWDFs' infrastructure for civil purposes. At four CWDFs, the sites of contamination of equipment and infrastructural components with degradition products of organophosphorous agents (OPA) and blister agents (BA) were identified. The technologies that enabled analysis of the samples taken were high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, and atomic absorption spectroscopy with electrothermal atomization. The analysis revealed contamination of building structures, equipment, utility lines, waterproofing, heatinsulating, and other materials inside the CWDF process buildings, regardless of their purpose, with OPA and BA degradation products. In the absence of hygienic standards and information on their toxicity, it was impossible to assess the hazard thereof. In all the samples taken, the residual content of toxic substances was below the limit of detection of the measurement methods applied, i.e., none was found. The article presents a methodology for a stepwise hygienic assessment of the CWDF infrastructure to be converted and develops recommendations for its subsequent safe use. The conclusions state expediency of development of hygienic standards for the OPA and BA degradation products and development and certification of the relevant measurement procedures.

Environmental security in the national security system

The security of any society depends directly on the solution of environmental problems and first of all on environmental security. It penetrates all the spheres of modern society, such as economics, industry, agriculture, service sector and so on. The environmental security issues from the perspective of the Russian Federation national security are discussed in the article. The purpose of the study is identification of directions of modern state’s environmental security ensuring in the context of sustainable development. The analysis of key legal normative documents in the aspect of succession in the sphere is carried out. The concept «environmental security» is clarified. The key directions of environmental policy in the Russian Federation are defined at the current stage. The disadvantaged environmental situation of particular regions of Russia is determined for the following reasons: annually increasing growth of hazardous industrial and municipal waste; irrational forest and land management; the release of hazardous substances to the atmosphere and water bodies; radiation and chemical pollution of some areas, negative results of arms race (destruction of chemical weapons, problems with utilization of weapons-grade plutonium, radioactive waste from time-expired submarines etc.); residual principle of environmental finance; imperfection of environmental legislation; the omission of power structures at all levels in environmental protection; other technogenic influence on the nature. These reasons indicate the necessity of detailed review of the issue. Current environmental condition in the country identifies insufficient and inefficient use of funds allocated by the state for environmental protection measures.

Determination of o-isobutyl-s-[(2-diethylamino)ethyl]-methyl phosphonothioate and the hydrolysis toxic product traces by liquid chromatography-tandem mass-spectrometry

To date, chemical weapons in the Russian Federation have been completely destroyed. Former chemical weapons destruction facilities (CWDFs) are subject to re-profiling. The most important stage of this activity is to assess the safety of engineering elements of the facilities to find out whether they can be involved in national economy. The most toxic and persistent substance processed at the CWDFs was a V-series agent. The certified gas chromatographic methods previously used for control of residual amounts of this substance on the surfaces and in deep layers of materials were based on its conversion to acid fluoride on silver fluoride pads. The latter are no longer produced, and these methods are impossible to use. The use of liquid tandem chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) provided a direct determination of VR in the different matrices at the level of the toxicity threshold. At the same time HPLC-MS/MS method allows to determine the toxic acid formed by the hydrolysis of the P–O bond in the VR molecule. Previously no methods for the determination of this acid were available. A unified procedure for the sensitive target determination of VR (O-isobutyl S- (2-diethylamino)ethyl methylphosphonothioate) and its most toxic hydrolysis product S-[(2-diethylamino)ethyl] methylphosphonothioic acid in surface wipes and in deep layers of various materials is proposed. The method involves the addition of an internal standard (paraoxon) to the sample, extraction with methanol, concentration of the extract, and analysis by HPLC-MS/MS in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The detection limits of the analytes are close to their toxic threshold levels. Special emphasis in the procedure is paid to the reliability of identification of the analytes, which is of key importance in international investigations under the Chemical Weapons Convention.