[CPEO-MEF] Army evaluates recovered chem weapon in Delaware

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2, 2005
U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency 

Army offers options for treatment of recovered chemical warfare materiel

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. ? The U.S. Army Non-Stockpile Chemical
Materiel Project (NSCMP) will dispose of a recovered chemical warfare
munition that was discovered in Delaware on May 27. 

Officials at Dover Air Force Base, Del., requested support from NSCMP
after they were notified about discovery of the munition at a clamshell
processing plant in nearby Milford. A team from the 22d Chemical
Battalion, headquartered at APG, overpacked the item in an airtight
sealed container, in accordance with Department of Transportation
regulations, and safely transported it to Dover Air Force Base, where a
detailed assessment took place. 

Army officials confirmed the 75 mm munition was filled with the chemical
warfare blister agent mustard. The item remains safely stored at Dover
Air Force Base. 

The Army is discussing treatment options with state and local officials.
One option is use of the Explosive Destruction System. The EDS has
successfully treated nearly 300 items, including a World War I-era
mustard-filled munition discovered in Delaware last year. 

Headquartered at the Edgewood Area of APG, NSCMP is mandated by Congress
to treat chemical warfare materiel recovered on military installations
or formerly used defense sites in a safe, environmentally sound and
cost-effective manner. 

A division of the U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency, NSCMP researches
and develops treatment options and destruction plans that comply with
all federal, state and local regulations, and encourages public
participation in its activities. For additional information visit the
CMA web site at http://www.cma.army.mil/nscmp.aspx.

###

-- 


Lenny Siegel
Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
c/o PSC, 278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org
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