Associated Press 04/09/05

April 09, 2005
Army: Byproduct From Nerve Agent's Destruction Can Be Cut
Associated Press

(Newport) -- A US Army contractor says it can reduce the amount of a chemical byproduct created by the destruction of VX nerve agent at the Newport Chemical Depot.

Parsons Technology says it can safely neutralize twice as much VX nerve agent per chemical reactor load as originally planned.

If the Army neutralizes the VX at the greater rate, it would reduce the VX byproduct ,a chemical called hydrolysate, by at least a million gallons. That's about a one-third to one-fourth reduction.

The Army compares the byproduct to drain cleaner. Originally, the Army planned to truck it to New Jersey for final disposal, but that plan has run into opposition.

For now, the plans call for storing the hydrolysate at Newport. Army officials say the project should get under way by mid-May.