Re: [CPEO-MEF] Spring Valley arsenic

[yelenick@earthlink.net]

Arsenic trioxide was blended with sulfur monochloride at the RMA, to=
 produce=20
arsenic trichloride
=AD  a part of the 1943 Lewisite production process.  Lewisite is also=20
produced from the reaction of
acetylene with arsenic trichloride in a hydrochloric acid solution of=20
mercuric chloride catalyst.
Arsenic is found as a chemical component in VX (CAS RN# 50782699- a complex=
=20
organophosphorus
compound). VX is approximately 10 times as toxic as GB Sarin. Arsenic=20
trichloride decomposes in
water to form arsenic trioxide.
Arsenic compounds =AD called arsenic sulfides =AD remain inert when=
 submerged in=20
the groundwater.
Irrigation exposes the poison to oxygen.   Once oxidized, arsenic sulfides=
=20
become water-soluble.
Arsenic trichloride rapidly hydrolyzes and would appear in the form of=
 other=20
arsenic compounds.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
John Yelenick
SSAB/RMA (Rocky Mountain Arsenal-Colorado)

Lenny Siegel wrote:

> >From Laura Olah <olah@speagle.com>
>
> Does anyone know what specific military production and/or disposal
> activities contributed arsenic to surface soils?
>
> Laura
>
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~