CDC Celebrates Elimination of Entire U.S. Chemical Weapons Stockpile

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) congratulates the Department of Defense (DoD), the Program Executive Office Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA), and CDC’s Chemical Demilitarization (CDM) Program on the complete destruction of the United States chemical weapons stockpile on July 7, 2023. Over 30,000 tons of America’s chemical warfare agents have been destroyed. This milestone has successfully eliminated a major public health threat for communities, the U.S., and the world.

Public Law (50 USC 1521) required the Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of the Surgeon General to provide independent oversight to protect the safety and health of the communities during U.S. chemical weapons destruction of stockpiled and recovered or buried chemical weapons in the United States. This was delegated to CDC in 1983, which has been providing oversight for 40 years in August 2023.

The completed destruction of this stockpile coincides with CDC’s Chemical Demilitarization (CDM) Program’s 40th Anniversary. CDC will celebrate 40 years by hosting a Chemical Demilitarization Awards Ceremony on November 14, 2023, to recognize the efforts of the DoD, PEO ACWA, and CDM Program with the elimination of a major public health threat. CDC’s CDM Program will celebrate by highlighting the successful contributions that CDC has made over the years.