Toxic and Carcinogenic Chemicals
Updated 13 April 2025
Nuclear Weapons Technicians worked without adequate respiratory and other personal protection, and little facility safety equipment, from toxic and carcinogenic chemicals, organic solvents, metals, and other substances during nuclear weapons and associated-equipment maintenance. Fuming hoods were exceptionally rare, and exhaust fans had limited use if installed. It is now known that most substances were carcinogens; harmful to central and peripheral nervous systems, numerous other organs, reproductive system, and unborn children; toxicologically synergistic with other chemicals and solvents; and caused or may cause other health problems, diseases, debilitating medical conditions, or death.
Nuclear Weapons Technicians used “splash cans” to place parts on a spring-loaded metal screen, push the screen down into the chemicals/solvents with a gloved hand, and immerse the parts (and fingers/hands) in the solution. In minutes, the latex rubber or “surgical” gloves broke down during nuclear weapons maintenance operations, exposing hands to toxic chemicals. Bulky/thick rubber gloves were seldom used and discouraged during nuclear weapons operations due to dexterity problems. Their use could easily result in dropping (on or inside a weapon), losing or damaging fasteners, connectors, straps, hardware, etc. Air Force Instruction 91-101, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Surety Program, prohibited the use of “…cumbersome gloves (to ensure weapons are not inadvertently damaged)”. 1
Toxic chemicals, organic solvents, volatile organic compounds, paint strippers, primers, etc.— many of which are listed below—were specifically authorized by the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and the Defense Atomic Support Agency (DASA), later renamed Department of Energy (DOE) and Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA), respectively, for use on nuclear weapons and related nuclear weapons support equipment. Each had an AEC or DOE part number or specification.
They were listed in one of two joint manuals, for required use with nuclear weapons: AEC/DOE-DASA/DNA TP 35-51, Army TM 39-35-51, Navy SWOP (Special Weapons Operations Procedures) 35-51, Air Force T.O. 11N-35-51, “Technical Manual, General Instructions for Cleaning, Preservation, Packaging and Identification Marking”; and AEC-DASA (later DNA) TP 40-54, et. al., “Technical Manual, General Maintenance Instructions”. Each item included an AEC or DOE part number or specification. Detailed procedures for use on specific nuclear weapon series may be referenced in related classified joint-AEC/DOE, DASA/DNA, Army, Navy, and Air Force technical procedures. Additional technical publications were used for maintenance of nuclear weapons handling equipment, e.g. bomb clip-in assemblies, etc.
Based on assigned weapon systems, substances were stocked for daily nuclear weapons maintenance use. One example of a typical group of minimum essential chemicals/organic solvents for a bomb-shop included (non-exhaustive list): Acetone, Alodine, enamel and lacquer paints and thinners, epoxy polyamide coatings, Freon, Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK), Naptha, resins, Stoddard Drycleaning Solvent, Toluene, Trichloroethane, Trichloroethylene (TCE), Chromium Trioxide, Zinc Chromate (and other Chromates), and Xylene. A substantial number of the hazardous substances commonly used on or otherwise associated with various nuclear weapons and their related support equipment/hardware are listed below.
Toxic and Carcinogenic Chemicals and other Substances Used by Nuclear Weapons Technicians During the Cold War Period (not all-inclusive); Related Effects 2, 3
Volatile organic compound. Toxicity: dermal, eyes, inhalation. Target organs: Central nervous system, kidney, liver, spleen, blood. Possible risk of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Toxicologically synergistic with 1,1,2-Trichloroethane, Trichloroethylene, Carbon Tetrachloride, Chloroform, Bromodichloromethane, Dibromochloromethane, N-nitroso dimethylamine, 2.5 Hexanedione, 1,2-Dichlorobenzene.
Contains Chromium Trioxide (a carcinogen), Hydrofluoric Acid, and Nitric Acid (all listed below). Iridite is a similar product.
Carcinogen Cat 1A, lung cancer, possible genetic defects, skin/respiratory irritation. Used for component packaging.
Aromatic hydrocarbon, volatile organic compound. Component of other listed solvents. Carcinogen with risk of acute myelogenous leukemia, chromosome aberrations, lymphatic and hematopoietic cancers, neurotoxin, germ cell mutagenicity, bone marrow aplastic anemia, immune system damage. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy risk. Possible Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) risk.
Carcinogen, chronic granulomatous lung disease, Chronic Beryllium Disease or Berylliosis. Inflammation and scarring of the respiratory tract. Acute toxicity, oral and inhalation; reproductive toxicity (fertility and unborn child). Skin irritation and serious eye irritation. Toxic dust or residue result of sanding or filing, and cleaning with solvents.
Carcinogen 1B. Germ cell mutagenicity, acute toxicity from inhalation Cat 2, reproductive toxicity Cat 2. Repeated exposure, target organ toxicity Cat 1. Causes mutations and chromosomal deletions. May be fatal if inhaled. Inhibits activity of antioxidant enzymes. Cadmium bone and Itai-itai disease. Causes skeletal demineralization, inhibits collagen production. Osteoporosis. Toxic dust or residue result of sanding or filing rough/chipped edges, and cleaning with solvents. Cadmium uses: Typical use in corrosion-resistant alloys, coating, and pigments. Extensive use as plating for hardware and hand tools used for weapons and weapons-related equipment maintenance. Plated surfaces of tools often became chipped or flaked off, creating sharp, jagged surfaces.
A Chlorinated Hydrocarbon solvent. Genetic carcinogen. Acts directly on DNA, liver cancer (per DOE). Inhalation Cat 1 – liver, kidney.
Mixed with water to repair magnesium parts and cadmium and zinc-plated parts, also an Alodine component. Carcinogen Cat 1A, paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer, lung cancer, germ cell mutagenicity Cat 1B, reproductive toxicity Cat 2, serious eye damage, damages gastrointestinal tract. Targets: respiratory system, liver, kidney, blood. Causes lung ulcerations, pneumonia, kidney failure. Can be fatal in contact with skin or if inhaled.
Skin corrosion Cat 1B. Burns by all exposure routes, Target organs: respiratory system, gastrointestinal system, eyes, skin. Irreversible eye damage Cat 1.
Contains Butyl Acetate, Hexane, 1,5-Disocyananato, Homopolymer, Xylenes, Mixed Isomers.
Aspiration toxicity Cat 1, Carcinogen 2B, eye irritation Cat 2A, skin irritation Cat 2, respiratory Cat 3.
Aspiration toxicity Cat 1, organ kidney toxicity Cat 1, skin corrosion Cat 2, serious eye damage Cat 2A. Volatile organic compound.
Carcinogen Cat 2, skin sensitization Cat 1, target organ toxicity Cat 2.
Carcinogen Cat 2. Neurotoxin - central nervous system. Volatile organic compound. Component of Naptha. Possible Chronic lymphocytic leukemia risk.
Dermal Cat 1, serious eye damage Cat 1.
Carcinogenicity Cat 1B. See Silica fiber.
Contains hydrocarbons. Carcinogen Cat 1A, aspiration toxicity Cat 1, germ cell mutagenicity Cat 1B, neurotoxin. Genetic defects, renal tubular acidosis, hypokalemic paralysis.
Toxic by inhalation or ingestion. Radioactive. Carcinogen.
Poison. Nervous system depression. Organ toxicity: eyes Cat 1, central nervous system Cat 1.
Carcinogen Cat 2. Toxicity: reproductive, developmental effects, central nervous system Cat 3, endocrine disrupter.
Carcinogen Cat 2, Toxicity Central nervous system Cat 3. Mixed 1-to-1 with toluene for a thinner.
Carcinogen. May cause reproduction or birth defects. Contains N-Hexane, Xylene, Toluene, Cyclohexane, Pentane, Heptane, Ethylbenzene, BenzeneF29F29F, and 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene Sulfur. Possible Chronic lymphocytic leukemia risk.
Neurotoxin, reproductive toxicity, specific organ toxicity. Naptha component. Volatile organic compound (VOC).
Serious eye damage Cat 1, Severe skin burns Cat 1A, inhalation toxicity Cat 3.
Acute toxicity, inhalation Cat 1, serious eye damage Cat 1, may be fatal if inhaled. Also known as Nitrogen Monoxide, Nitrosyl Radical, Amidogen.
Carcinogen Cat 1A, toxic to reproduction/unborn child Cat 2.
Corrosive Cat 1B skin burns/eye damage. Mutagenic Cat 2. Target organ toxicity Cat 2, May cause organ damage through prolonged or repeated exposure.
Corrosive Cat 1B skin burns/eye damage. Mutagenic Cat 2. Target organ toxicity Cat 2, May cause organ damage through prolonged or repeated exposure.
Carcinogen. Toxic to the nervous system, liver, kidneys, reproductive system, unborn. Bladder cancer, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and Parkinson’s disease. Germ cell mutagenicity Cat 2, drowsiness, dizziness, narcotic effects. Suspected link to Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Aka Perchloroethylene, Perchloro, Tetrachloroethene. Associated occupational diseases per NIH.gov: Kidney cancer, acute toxic poisoning, toxic encephalopathy/chronic poisoning. Latency: years to decades.
Carcinogen, Neurotoxin. Targets liver, kidneys, central nervous system. Compounded with vinyl resin adhesive (TM 40-54).
Target organ toxicity, respiratory tract irritation, narcosis, Cat 2; skin sensitization Cat 1; skin corrosion Cat 2.
Carcinogen, aromatic hydrocarbon. Nerve damage, liver, kidney damage, cardiac arrest, reproductive toxicity, renal tubular acidosis, hypokalemic paralysis. Neurotoxin. Mixed 1-to-1 with Methyl Isobutyl Ketone (MIBK) to thin Zinc Chromate. Inhalation/dermal toxicity. Volatile organic compound (VOC).
Volatile organic compound. Carcinogen. Toxicity: Oral, inhalation, dermal. Also known as Xythene.
A chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent. Carcinogen by all routes of exposure. Neurotoxin. Targets: central nervous system, heart, liver, lungs. Parkinson’s Disease. Suggested link to Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.
Acute dermal toxicity Cat 4, inhalation toxicity Cat 2, severe skin burns and eye damage, pulmonary edema after exposure to high concentrations, asthma.
Aspiration toxicity Cat 1, skin irritation Cat 2, serious eye damage Cat 2, organ toxicity Cat 3, acute toxicity (inh.) Cat 4.
Contains Acetone, Methyl n-Amyl Ketone, Acetone, Naptha.
Carcinogen Cat 2, skin corrosion Cat 2, eye damage Cat 2A.
Cancer risk. Skin and respiratory tract, lung irritation. Inhaling can create tiny cuts in organs and tissues.
Class A (water resistant, natural hair).
Carcinogen Cat 2. Skin/eyes Cat 2/2A. Toxic to reproduction; toxic to blood, kidneys, liver, mucous membranes, bone marrow, central nervous system, hearing organs; death from exposure in high doses; brain, lung, or other organ injury if inhaled/dermal. Volatile organic compound (VOC). Possible CLL risk.
Carcinogen. Toxic to reproduction (fertility & unborn child), organ toxicity, liver Cat 2, eyes Cat 2, skin Cat 2. Possible risk of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.6
Carcinogen Cat 1. Reproduction toxicity Cat 1A, mutagenicity, central nervous system depression, harms gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys, immune system. Severe skin burns, serious eye damage.
Carcinogen. Can cause a hole in the septum. Irritation of nasal passages and respiratory tract, bronchitis. Eye and skin irritation. Irritation or corrosion of alimentary tract, circulatory collapse and toxic nephritis (kidney).
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Footnotes:
[1] Air Force Instruction 91-101, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Surety Program, 1 March 1997, Section A, 3.3.2.
[2] Toxic chemicals and organic solvents were listed in AEC-DNA TP/TM/SWOP/11N-TO 35-51, 26 Nov 1962, Change 6, 7 Jun 1972; and TP/TM/SWOP/TO 11N-40-54, 20 Aug 1962, Change 16, 6 Feb 1973. Not all-inclusive.
[3] Substances listed as carcinogens are named in various U.S. federal organization documents (example: DHHS/NIH 15th Report on Carcinogens), CDC, DOL/OSHA, EPA; U.S. states; Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and Safety Data Sheets (SDS); International and World cancer research organizations; others.
[4] Tetrachloroethylene [perchloroethylene] (PCE or PERC), Trichloroethylene (TCE) and Benzene were listed in the Camp Lejeune toxic water contamination case, recognized by VA as a “presumptive service connection” for certain diseases. Reviewed 2-25-23.
[5] Ibid. re. Tetrachloroethylene [perchloroethylene] (PCE or PERC), Trichloroethylene (TCE), and Benzene.
[6] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2611760/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4861658/