ADEM approves burning of gelled rockets

By Rob Jordan
Star Staff Writer
08-07-2004

State regulators gave the green light Friday for burns of so-called gelled rockets at the Anniston chemical weapons incinerator, according to the Army. The incinerator is expected to begin burning rockets in which sarin nerve agent has crystallized today, according to Army spokesman Mike Abrams, who said he hoped the remaining gelled rockets would be destroyed within a matter of weeks. In early July, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) rejected parts of an April trial burn after workers mistakenly monitored emissions with a single 4-hour sampling device instead of four 1-hour sampling devices, as required. Incinerator officials blamed an “administrative error.” Because of the delay, the incinerator had been off-line since July 31. ADEM officials could not be reached for comment Friday evening. Upon completion of gelled rockets, the Army will modify equipment to handle sarin-filled artillery rounds, a process that will see the start-up of a metal parts furnace to burn metal casings. More than 4 million pounds of sarin, VX and blister agent remain in the Anniston stockpile. Army officials hope to complete destruction of the stockpile in 2010.

About Rob Jordan

Rob Jordan covers criminal justice issues for The Star.