The present invention is drawn to methods and compositions for use in partially or fully decontaminating surfaces which have been contaminated with chemical or biological warfare agents. The invention includes contacting the contaminated surface with a composition capable of ameliorating the negative effects caused by the warfare agent. In one embodiment, the composition includes an aqueous vehicle of water and from 0.001 wt % to 40.0 wt % of a peroxygen. Additionally, the composition can include from 0.001 ppm to 50,000 ppm by weight of a transition metal based on the aqueous vehicle content. Optionally, an alcohol can be included in the composition. In one embodiment, the transition metal can be in the form of a colloidal transition metal, such as colloidal silver.