Companies are also working to protect soldiers through the destruction or neutralization of chemical and biological agents.

FORBES: Nanotech On The Front Lines

U.S. officials predicted before the war that at least 100 metric tons of weapon-ready chemical and biological agents would be found.

CNN: War of words over Iraqi weapons

Unlike a search for traces of radioactivity that can be done very quickly, looking for traces of chemical and biological agents can take longer, adding to the risk.

BBC: Syria chemical weapons claims: UK and US tread cautiously

Worse still, according to the Iraq Survey Group, Saddam's planning envisioned placing toxic chemical and biological agents in aerosol cans and perfume sprayers for shipment to the United States and Europe.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Tragedy of errors

Iraq, however, then circulated a report at the UN on October 7th, insisting that its capabilities to produce biological and chemical agents were destroyed during the 1991 Gulf war.

ECONOMIST: We will prevail | The

Novel nanosensors will allow for the rapid detection, diagnosis and prescription of antidotes to deadly biological or chemical agents--such technologies could ensure safety of both armed forces and civilian populations.

FORBES: Nanotech Takes On Homeland Terror