Hazardous Materials: DOD Should Eliminate DS2 From Its Inventory of Decontaminants
NSIAD-90-10
Published: Apr 25, 1990. Publicly Released: Jun 29, 1990.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO evaluated Decontamination Solution 2 (DS2), focusing on: (1) the Army's management and disposal of DS2; (2) DS2 effects on the readiness of the Army's deployed weapon systems; and (3) whether the Army properly stored DS2.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should direct the Army and the Marine Corps to use a substitute for DS2 and all services to eliminate DS2 from their inventory of decontaminants. |
Closed – Implemented
The Army continues to use DS2. The most recent use was during the MidEast crisis. It has, however, initiated several research and development projects to find a replacement for DS2, but it does not expect to have a replacement until fiscal year 1998 at the earliest. Therefore, GAO should not continue to carry this as an open recommendation.
|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should direct the Director, DLA, to ensure that DS2 is not available to the general public and that DS2 sales are restricted to recyclers. |
Closed – Implemented
The Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service (DRMS) issued a message in September 1989 prohibiting all sales of DS2, except to recyclers. In March 1990, these instructions were incorporated into the DRMS handbook on Disposal Operating Procedures.
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Topics
Army procurementChemical warfareCombat readinessEquipment maintenanceDecontaminationFederal property managementHazardous substancesMaterials handlingMilitary facilitiesSafety regulation