Researchers from the U.S. Army Edgewood Research, Development and Engineering
Center (ERDEC) at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland have announced the
development of a method to completely decontaminate nerve gas which is environmentally
friendly, less expensive and faster than incineration.

In a paper delivered to the International Chemical Congress, taking place this week in
Hawaii , ERDEC Research Chemist, Dr. Joseph DeFrank reports, "A number of naturally
occurring enzymes have been discovered in bacteria and other organisms that will react
with the nerve agents and convert them into harmless products. The enzymes are extracted
from marine microorganisms.

"Like an enzyme-containing laundry detergent, a decontamination system for chemical
warfare agents would be non-toxic, non-corrosive, and environmentally safe." Dr.
DeFrank's paper continues. "Under ideal conditions," said Dr. DeFrank, "one gram of
enzyme could degrade perhaps 10 pounds of these nerve agents in 10 minutes."

The process would be applicable to all types of chemical warfare agents contained in the
U.S. arsenal and now slated for incineration. Recognizing widespread opposition to the
Army's incineration plan which is now slated to cost at least $12.2 billion, Dr. DeFrank's
paper concludes, "If the neutralization/biodegradation approach is shown to be efficient, it
could provide a less expensive and more acceptable solution to dealing with the chemical
agent stockpiles."

Reaction from organizations in communities where chemical weapon are stored was swift
and positive. Craig Williams, spokesperson for the Chemical Weapons Working Group
(CWWG), a national coalition of groups near stockpile sites, said, " This announcement
shows that citizens were right in demanding intensified research on alternatives to
incineration. Even the Army's own scientists now admit that there are better, safer and
cheaper ways to eliminate chemical weapons. The more alternatives are examined, the more
obvious it becomes that the dangerous, bankrupt incineration program should immediately
be ended."

Last month he Army announced the selection of eight alternatives to incineration for
facilities where chemical agents are stored in large, bulk containers. "Now," Williams
concluded, " we have evidence that alternatives to incineration can be applied at sites

storing chemical weapons in rocket, land mines, shells and other munitions. This new
approach contradicts the Army's claim that incineration is the only possible method
available for dealing with metal parts, explosives, and other stockpile components."

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* an abstract of Dr. DeFrank's paper is available on request from Craig Williams at (606)
986-7565 or Bob Schaeffer at (617) 489-0461.

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