Re: Moving nerve gas waste is criticized

[Steve Taylor <steve@miltoxproj.org>]

Interesting point and leads very directly to an argument in favor of use
reducation of toxic chemicals rather than emissions control, treatment, and
disposal....But that's a discussion for another list.

More to the point, most of the hazardous susbstances transported by road and
rail are on the way to some end location at which they will be used in
production or sold and used by consumers. The nerve gas secondary waste in
question could in fact be treated by the Army safely on-site in Indiana
without transporting it and creating any additional danger associated with
the transport.

Steve Taylor




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Susan L Gawarecki" <loc@icx.net>
To: "CPEO" <cpeo-military@igc.topica.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2004 11:38 AM
Subject: Re: Moving nerve gas waste is criticized


> According to DOT regulations, trucks transporting hazardous chemicals,
> explosives, and radioactive materials are placarded to reflect the
> nature of their load.  Emergency responders are trained to interpret the
> placards and respond to the situation accordingly.  While nerve gas is
> rightfully considered a very hazardous cargo, there are plenty of
> chemical tankers on the roads every day with loads that are every bit as
> dangerous.  Chlorine is routinely transported in bulk for use at water
> treatment plants and swimming pools.  It was once used as a chemical
> weapon.  Nerve gas at least is designed to degrade quickly when exposed
> to the environment so the attacking troops can move in after it's been
used.
>
> The DOT publishes a list of chemicals identified by a numerical
> designation on the truck or tank car placard.  If you make note of these
> on the road, you will be quite amazed at the number and variety of
> hazardous materials shipments.  The most common of these, of course, is
> gasoline.  Frankly, I don't see any difference in being killed by a
> crash of a truck carrying nerve gas vs. the explosion of a gasoline
tanker.
>
> Susan Gawarecki
>
> -- 
> .....................................................
> Susan L. Gawarecki, Ph.D., Executive Director
> Oak Ridge Reservation Local Oversight Committee
> 102 Robertsville Road, Suite B, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
> Toll free 888-770-3073 ~ www.local-oversight.org
> .....................................................
>
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