Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Government Accountability Office
General Accounting Office
Special Weapons Reports
Nuclear, Biological, Chemical, Missile

GAO WMD Reports - Subcategories

Missiles
Cooperative Threat Reduction
Non-Proliferation
Export Controls
Chemical and Biological Weapons
Department of Energy

Chemical and Biological Weapons

• Biological Select Agents and Toxins: Actions Needed to Improve Management of DOD's Biosafety and Biosecurity Program, GAO-18-422, September 20, 2018
• High-Containment Laboratories: Coordinated Efforts Needed to Further Strengthen Oversight of Select Agents, GAO-18-197T, November 2, 2017
• High-Containment Laboratories: Coordinated Actions Needed to Enhance the Select Agent Program's Oversight of Hazardous Pathogens, GAO-18-145, October 19, 2017
• Biodefense: Federal Efforts to Develop Biological Threat Awareness, GAO-18-155, October 11, 2017
• Biological Defense: Additional Information That Congress May Find Useful as It Considers DOD's Advanced Development and Manufacturing Capability, GAO-17-701, July 17, 2017
• Chemical and Biological Defense: DOD Has Identified an Infrastructure Manager and Is Developing the Position's Roles and Responsibilities, GAO-17-522R, July 7, 2017
• High-Containment Laboratories: Comprehensive and Up-to-Date Policies and Stronger Oversight Needed, GAO-16-566T, April 20, 2016
• High-Containment Laboratories: Preliminary Observations on Federal Efforts to Address Weaknesses Exposed by Recent Safety Lapses, by Marcia Crosse, director, health care, John Neumann, director, natural resources and environment, and Timothy M. Persons, chief scientist, before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, House Committee on Energy and Commerce, GAO-15-792T, July 28, 2015
• Chemical and Biological Defense: Designated Entity Needed to Identify, Align, and Manage DOD's Infrastructure, GAO-15-257, June 25, 2015
• Anthrax: Agency Approaches to Validation and Statistical Analyses Could Be Improved, GAO-15-80, December 19, 2014
• High-Containment Laboratories: Assessment of the Nation's Need Is Missing, GAO-13-466R, February 25, 2013
• Anthrax: DHS Faces Challenges in Validating Methods for Sample Collections and Analysis, GAO-12-488, July 31, 2012
• Biological Laboratories: Design and Implementation Considerations for Safety Reporting Systems, GAO-10-850, Sep 10, 2010
• Biological Laboratories: Design and Implementation Considerations for Safety Reporting Systems, GAO-10-850, Sep 10, 2010
• Biosafety Laboratories: BSL-4 Laboratories Improved Perimeter Security Despite Limited Action by CDC, GAO-09-1038T, Sep 22, 2009
• High-Containment Laboratories: National Strategy for Oversight Is Needed, GAO-09-1036T, Sep 22, 2009
• High-Containment Laboratories: National Strategy for Oversight Is Needed, GAO-09-1045T, Sep 22, 2009
• High-Containment Laboratories: National Strategy for Oversight Is Needed, GAO-09-574, Sep 21, 2009
• Biosafety Laboratories: BSL-4 Laboratories Improved Perimeter Security Despite Limited Action by CDC, GAO-09-851, Jul 7, 2009
• Biosafety Laboratories: Perimeter Security Assessment of the Nation's Five BSL-4 Laboratories, GAO-08-1092, Sep 17, 2008
• High-Containment Biosafety Laboratories: DHS Lacks Evidence to Conclude That Foot-and-Mouth Disease Research Can Be Done Safely on the U.S. Mainland GAO-08-821T May 22, 2008
• Chemical and Biological Defense: DOD and VA Need to Improve Efforts to Identify and Notify Individuals Potentially Exposed during Chemical and Biological Tests GAO-08-366 February 28, 2008
• Plum Island Animal Disease Center: DHS Has Made Significant Progress Implementing Security Recommendations, but Several Recommendations Remain Open GAO-08-306R December 17, 2007
• Chemical Demilitarization: Additional Management Actions Needed to Meet Key Performance Goals of DOD's Chemical Demilitarization Program GAO-08-134 December 6, 2007 [4.0 Mb]
• Project Bioshield: Actions Needed to Avoid Repeating Past Mistakes GAO-08-208T October 23,2007
• Project Bioshield: Actions Needed to Avoid Repeating Past Problems with Procuring New Anthrax Vaccine and Managing the Stockpile of Licensed Vaccine GAO-08-88 October 23,2007
• High-Containment Biosafety Laboratories: Preliminary Observations on the Oversight of the Proliferation of BSL-3 and BSL-4 Laboratories in the United States GAO-08-108T October 4, 2007
• Anthrax Detection: DHS Cannot Ensure That Sampling Activities Will Be Validated GAO-07-687T, March 29, 2007
• Chemical Demilitarization: Actions Needed to Improve the Reliability of the Army's Cost Comparison Analysis for Treatment and Disposal Options for Newport's VX Hydrolysate GAO-07-240R, January 26, 2007
• Chemical and Biological Defense: Management Actions Are Needed to Close the Gap between Army Chemical Unit Preparedness and Stated National Priorities GAO-07-143, January 19, 2007
• Chemical and Biological Defense: Updated Intelligence, Clear Guidance, and Consistent Priorities Needed to Guide Investments in Collective Protection GAO-07-113, January 19, 2007
• Mail Security: Incidents at DOD Mail Facilities Exposed Problems That Require Further Actions GAO-06-757, September 15, 2006
• Homeland Security: Contract Management and Oversight for Visitor and Immigrant Status Program Need to Be Strengthened GAO-06-404, June 9, 2006
• Chemical and Biological Defense: DOD Needs Consistent Policies and Clear Processes to Address the Survivability of Weapon Systems Against Chemical and Biological Threats, GAO-06-592, April 28, 2006
• Anthrax Detection: Agencies Need to Validate Sampling Activities in Order to Increase Confidence in Negative Results, by Keith A. Rhodes, chief technologist, before the Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats, and International Relations, House Committee on Government Reform. GAO-05-493T, April 5, 2005.
• Anthrax Detection: Agencies Need to Validate Sampling Activities In Order to Increase Confidence in Negative Results. GAO-05-251, March 31, 2005. [PDF 3.8MD]
• Bioterrorism: Information on Jurisdictions' Expenditure and Reported Obligation of Program Funds. GAO-05-239, February 28, 2005.
• Anthrax Detection: Agencies Need to Validate Sampling Activities In Order to Increase Confidence in Negative Results. (GAO-05-251), March 31, 2005 [PDf 3.77 MB]
• CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL DEFENSE DOD Needs to Continue to Collect and Provide Information on Tests and Potentially Exposed Personnel (GAO-04-410), May 2004 [PDF 1.7 Mb]
• Chemical Weapons: Destruction Schedule Delays and Cost Growth Continue to Challenge Program Management, by Raymond J. Decker, director, defense capabilities and management, before the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats, and Capabilities, House Committee on Armed Services. (GAO-04-634T), April 1, 2004 [PDF 179 KB]
• Posthearing Questions Related to the Department of Defense's (DOD) Management of the Chemical Agents and Munitions Destruction Program. (GAO-04-362R), January 5, 2004 [PDF]

• Smallpox Vaccination: Review of the Implementation of the Military Program (GAO-04-215R), December 1, 2003 [PDF 109 Kb]
• Chemical Weapons: Better Management Tools Needed to Guide DOD's Stockpile Destruction Program, by Henry L. Hinton, Jr., before the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats, and Capabilities, House Committee on Armed Services, (GAO-04-221T), October 30, 2003 [PDF 478 Kb]
• Chemical and Biological Defense: U.S. Ability to Meet Protective Suit Inventory Requirements Faces Risk, (Highlights of a classified report.) (GAO-03-889C), September 15, 2003 [PDF 74 Kb]
• Chemical Weapons: Sustained Leadership, Along with Key Strategic Management Tools, Is Needed to Guide DOD's Destruction Program, (GAO-03-1031), September 5, 2003 [PDF 348 Kb]
• Gulf War Illnesses: Preliminary Assessment of DOD's Plume Modeling for U.S. Troops' Exposure to Chemical Agents, by Keith A. Rhodes, chief technologist, before the Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats, and International Relations, House Committee on Government Reform, June 2, 2003 (GAO-03-833T) [PDF 6.77 Mb]

• CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL DEFENSE: Observations on DOD's Risk Assessment of Defense Capabilities -- Statement of Raymond J. Decker, Director, Defense Capabilities and Management, October 1, 2002, (GAO-03-137T) [PDF 330 Kb]
• CHEMICAL WEAPONS: Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Needs Comprehensive Plan to Correct Budgeting Weaknesses, October 2002, (GAO-03-5) [PDF 677 Kb]
• CHEMICAL WEAPONS: Lessons Learned Program Generally Effective but Could Be Improved and Expanded, September 2002, (GAO-02-890) [PDF 523 Kb]
• ANTHRAX VACCINE: GAO's Survey of Guard and Reserve Pilots and Aircrew, September 2002, (GAO-02-445) [PDF 494 Kb]

• Chemical and Biological Defense: Improved Risk Assessment and Inventory Management Are Needed, (28-SEP-01, GAO-01-667). [PDF 8 Mb]
• Chemical Weapons: FEMA and Army Must Be Proactive in Preparing States for Emergencies, (13-AUG-01, GAO-01-850). [PDF 2.65 Mb]
• Coalition Warfare: Gulf War Allies Differed in Chemical and Biological Threats Identified and in Use of Defensive Measures, (24-APR-01, GAO-01-13).

• STATE DEPARTMENT: Serious Problems in the Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program, December 2000, (GAO-01-21) [PDF 864 Kb]
• Chemical and Biological Defense: Units Better Equipped, but Training and Readiness Reporting Problems Remain, (Letter Report, 11/14/2000, GAO/GAO-01-27). [PDF 4.33 Mb]
• Anthrax Vaccine: Preliminary Results of GAO's Survey of Guard/Reserve Pilots and Aircrew Members -- Statement of Kwai-Cheung Chan, Director Applied Research and Methods, (Testimony, 10/11/2000, GAO/GAO-01-92T). [PDF 43 Kb]
• Chemical Weapons Disposal: Improvements Needed in Program Accountability and Financial Management [NSIAD-00-80] 05/08/2000. [PDF Version 800 Kb]
• Biological Weapons: Effort to Reduce Former Soviet Threat Offers Benefits, Poses New Risks [NSIAD-00-138] 04/28/2000. [PDF Version 940 Kb]
• Contract Management: DOD's Anthrax Vaccine Manufacturer Will Continue to Need Financial Assistance [T-NSIAD-00-140] 04/14/2000
• Medical Readiness: DOD Continues to Face Challenges in Implementing Its Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program [T-NSIAD-00-157] 04/13/2000
• DOD Competitive Sourcing: Potential Impact on Emergency Response Operations at Chemical Storage Facilities Is Minimal [NSIAD-00-88] 03/28/2000. [PDF Version]
• Chemical and Biological Defense: Observations on Nonmedical Chemical and Biological R&D Programs [T-NSIAD-00-130] 03/22/2000. [PDF Version]
• Combating Terrorism: Chemical and Biological Medical Supplies Are Poorly Managed [T-HEHS/AIMD-00-059 ] 03/08/2000

• Combating Terrorism: Chemical and Biological Medical Supplies Are Poorly Managed [HEHS/AIMD-00-036] 10/29/1999. [PDF Version]
• Medical Readiness: DOD Faces Challenges in Implementing Its Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program [NSIAD-00-36] 10/22/1999. [PDF Version]
• Combating Terrorism: Observations on the Threat of Chemical and Biological Terrorism (Testimony, 10/20/1999, GAO/T-NSIAD-00-50). [PDF Version]

• Chemical and Biological Defense: Observations on Actions Taken to Protect Military Forces (Testimony, 10/20/1999, GAO/T-NSIAD-00-49).
• Anthrax Vaccine: Safety and Efficacy Issues (Testimony, 10/12/1999, GAO/T-NSIAD-00-48).
• Chemical and Biological Defense: Coordination of Nonmedical Chemical and Biological R&D Programs (Letter Report, 08/16/1999, GAO/NSIAD-99-160). [PDF Version]
• Chemical and Biological Defense: Program Planning and Evaluation Should Follow Results Act Framework (Letter Report, 08/16/1999, GAO/NSIAD-99-159). [PDF Version]
• Medical Readiness: Issues Concerning the Anthrax Vaccine (Testimony, 07/21/1999, GAO/T-NSIAD-99-226).
• Contract Management: Observations on DOD's Financial Relationship With the Anthrax Vaccine Manufacturer (Testimony, 06/30/99, GAO/T-NSIAD-99-214). [PDF Version]
• Medical Readiness: Safety and Efficacy of the Anthrax Vaccine (Testimony, 04/29/99, GAO/T-NSIAD-99-148). [PDF Version]
• Gulf War Illnesses: Procedural and Reporting Improvements Are Needed in DOD's Investigative Processes (Chapter Report, 02/26/99, GAO/NSIAD-99-59). [PDF Version]

• Chemical Weapons: DOD Does Not Have a Strategy to Address Low-Level Exposures. NSIAD-98-228. 29 pp. plus 5 appendices (10 pp.) September 23, 1998. [PDF Version]
• Chemical and Biological Defense: DOD's Evaluation of Improved Garment Materials. NSIAD-98-214. 13 pp. plus 4 appendices (5 pp.) August 18, 1998. [PDF Version]
• Chemical and Biological Defense: Observations on DOD's Plans To Protect U.S. Forces. T-NSIAD-98-83. 11 pp. plus 1 appendix (1 pp.) March 17, 1998.

• Gulf War Illnesses: Public and Private Efforts Relating to Exposures of U.S. Personnel to Chemical Agents GAO/NSIAD-98-27, October 15, 1997.
• Chemical Weapons Stockpile: Changes Needed in the Management of the Emergency Preparedness Program. NSIAD-97-91. June 11, 1997. [PDF Version 792 Kb]
• Chemical Weapons and Materiel: Key Factors Affecting Disposal Costs and Schedule (Testimony, 03/11/97, GAO/T-NSIAD-97-118). [PDF Version]
• Chemical Weapons and Materiel: Key Factors Affecting Disposal Costs and Schedule (Chapter Report, 02/10/97, GAO/NSIAD-97-18). [PDF Version 2.59 Mb]
• Environmental Cleanup: Inadequate Army Oversight of Rocky Mountain Arsenal Shared Costs (Letter Report, 01/23/97, GAO/NSIAD/AIMD-97-33). [PDF Version]

• Chemical and Biological Defense: Emphasis Remains Insufficient to Resolve Continuing Problems (Testimony, 05/01/96, GAO/T-NSIAD-96-154). May 1, 1996 - Before the Presidential Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses
• Chemical and Biological Defense: Emphasis Remains Insufficient to Resolve Continuing Problems (Letter Report, 03/29/96, GAO/NSIAD-96-103). [PDF Version]
• Chemical and Biological Defense: Emphasis Remains Insufficient to Resolve Continuing Problems (Testimony, 03/12/96, GAO/T-NSIAD-96-123).