Repeat of incinerator tests is delayed

By Matthew Korade
Star Senior Writer
03-13-2004

A test of the Army’s chemical weapons incinerator emissions is being postponed until officials can reset the sensors in the plant’s smokestacks. The test, which was supposed to take place this weekend, will be delayed until Monday or Tuesday, plant spokesman Mike Abrams said. It is expected to run for a few days. The test is intended to measure the ability of the Army to remove PCBs or polychlorinated biphenyls from the plant’s emissions. It is a repeat of a test taken last November, in which the Army narrowly failed to meet federal standards for destruction of PCBs. Those standards are set forth in the Toxic Substances Control Act. Environmental Protection Agency officials asked for the re-test, and will monitor the results. This time, the EPA is asking the Army to measure smaller amounts of exhaust than the plant is used to, Abrams said. The Army is calibrating the sensors to work at 40 percent of the usual emission amounts. Army and EPA officials are trying to determine the source of the PCBs measured in the stack. The chemical is present in minute quantities in the rocket tubes that the plant is disposing. EPA officials asked the Army to investigate all potential sources of the PCBs, which could include contamination from the air, natural gas or gaskets. The Army has burned nearly 20,000 rockets filled with sarin nerve agent since it began the incineration last year.

About Matt Korade

New York native Matt Korade is senior writer for The Anniston Star.