Chemical Properties
Soman (GD), a fluorinated organophosphorus compound. Exposure to soman can cause death in minutes. A fraction of an ounce (1 to 10 mL) of soman on the skin can be fatal. When pure, GD is a colorless liquid with fruity odor. With impurities, or upon aging, GD is an amber to dark brown oily liquid with an odor of rotten fruit or camphor (like Vicks Vapo-Rub). Do not rely on odor for detection; not everyone can smell low concentrations of this chemical.
Potential Exposure
Agent GD, an organic fluoride compound, is a quick-acting chemical warfare nerve agent (nerve gas). Medical treatment of soman is difficult because it permanently binds to receptors in the body in minutes. Large amounts of the vapor or liquid can hurt you in minutes, and can quickly lead to death.
Shipping
UN2810 Toxic liquids, organic, n.o.s., Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poison Inhalation Hazard, Technical Name Required. Military driver shall be given full and complete information regarding shipment and conditions in case of emergency. AR 50-6 deals specifically with the shipment of chemical agents. Shipments of agent will be escorted in accordance with AR 740-32
Incompatibilities
Hydrolyzed by water to form hydrogen fluoride and the nontoxic phosphonic acid derivative. It is rapidly hydrolyzed by dilute aqueous NaOH Stable after storage in steel for 3 months @ 65 C. Raising the pH increases the rate of decomposition significantly. GD decomposes slowly in water; will hydrolyze to form HF-H-H-O-CH3 and (CH3)3-C-C-O-P-OH. GD reacts readily with bases and weak acids. Under acid conditions, GD hydrolyzes, forming hydrofluoric acid (HF). Flammable hydrogen gas produced by the corrosive vapors reacting with metals, concrete, etc., may be present. Corrosive to steel and possibly other ferrous metals. GD corrodes steel at the rate of 1×10-5 in/month. When heated to decomposition or on contact with steam, it emits very toxic fumes of fluorides and oxides of phosphorus.
Waste Disposal
Principles and methods for destruction of chemical weapons: “Destruction of chemical weapons” means a process by which chemicals are converted in an essentially irreversible way to a form unsuitable for production of chemical weapons, and which in an irreversible manner renders munitions and other devices unusable as such. Each nation shall determine how it shall destroy chemical weapons, except that the following processes may not be used: dumping in any body of water, land burial, or open-pit burning. It shall destroy chemical weapons only at specifically designated and appropriately designed and equipped facilities. Each nation/shall ensure that its chemical weapons destruction facilities are constructed and operated in a manner to ensure the destruction of the chemical weapons; and that the destruction process can be verified under the provisions of this Convention . A minimum of 55 g of decontamination solution is required per gram of soman (GD). A minimum of 65 g of decontamination fluid per gram of soman (GD) is allowed to agitate for a minimum of 1 hour. Agitation is not necessary following the first hour provided a single phase is obtained. At the end of the first hour the pH should be checked and adjusted Up to 11.5 with additional NaOH as required. An alternate solution for the decontamination of soman (gd) is 10% sodium carbonate in place of the 10% NaOH solution above. Continue with 55 g of decon per gram of gd. Agitate for 1 hour and allow to react for 3 hours. At the end of the third hour, adjust the pH to above 10. It is also permitted to substitute 5.25% sodium hypochlorite for the 10% NaOH solution above. Continue with 55 g of decon per gram of soman (GD). Agitate for 1 hour and allow to react for 3 hours, then adjust the pH to above 10. Scoop up all material and place in a fully removable head and a high density polyethylene liner. Cover the contents with additional decontaminating solution before affixing the drum head. After sealing the head, the exterior of the drum shall be decontaminated and then labeled in accordance with IAW EPA, and DOT regulations. All contaminated clothing will be placed in a fully removable head drum with a high density polyethylene liner. Cover the contents of the drum with decontaminating solution as above before affixing the drum head. After sealing the head, the exterior of the drum shall be decontaminated and then labeled per IAW EPA, and DOT regulations. All leaking containers shall be overpacked with vermiculite placed between the interior and exterior containers. Decontaminate and label in accordance with IAW EPA, and DOT regulations. Conduct general area monitoring to confirm that the atmospheric concentrations do not exceed the exposure limits. Waste disposal method: Open pit burning or burying of soman (GD) or items containing or contaminated with soman (GD) in any quantity is prohibited. The detoxified soman (GD) (using procedures above) can be thermally destroyed by incineration in an EPA approved incinerator in accordance with appropriate provisions of federal, state and local RCRA regulations. NOTE: Several states define decontaminated surety material as a RCRA Hazardous Waste.
