IES has designed and employed a mobile system capable of handling both chemical and biological weapons, the BioChem-1. IES used the system to manage 90 compressed gas cylinders suspected of containing biological weapons recovered during a landfill excavation project at Fort Detrick, Maryland.

Fort Detrick had been the center for biological warfare research in the United States until the early 1970's when the program was closed. Over the years, an emormous amount of waste material from experiments and testing was buried on-site including gas cylinders. Substantially all of the recovered containers were deteriorated and lacked identification markings.

Testing for biological agents was conducted throughout the excavation process and had reveled the presence of an array of non-native species believed to have come from research efforts at the facility laboratories. Based on concern that the recovered gas cylinders, (with diameters up to eight inches and lengths for twenty-five inches) might contain viable biological agents, the BioChem-1 system was mobilized to the project site. The BioChem-1 system integrates full gas cylinder and chemical processing capabilities with an enhanced steam sterilization system.

During an operation period spanning three months, the equipment was deployed and integrated into an existing site that included an environmental containment structure covering the active work area, personnel and equipment decontamination areas, and command/support areas. Approximately 60 cylinders were successfully processed in the Mark III cylinder management device while the remaining inventory required the larger CMD III. Using protocals developed during a prove-out testing phase, all the cylinders were successfully processed and sterilized. Chemical contents in the cylinders were routed through the appropriate treatment reactors while all purge and vent gases were directed through the sterilizing filters. Container carcasses were subjected to the steam conditions defined during the test phase, verified for sterility, and incinerated at Fort Detrick.

Based on the design criteria for a mobile system capable of handling both chemical and biological threats, the BioChem-1 has proven through testing and field application its ability to address both threats simultaneously. As a transportable unit, the system and its support module may be readily moved by air, land, or sea and be fully operational at its destination within a minimal set-up period.