East Oregonian
August 5, 2002

Letters to the Editor

Having just read your article of yesterday, "Officials say Depot incinerator test a success : Chemicals similar to weapons agent burned as Umatilla Depot facility is fired up", I feel I must comment on not only the imbalance in coverage, but the apparent "cheerleading" posture reflected in the article.

In case you are unaware, there are a number of citizens, organizations and scientists who historically have opposed incineration as a proper and protective manner by which to dispose of the chemical weapons stored across the country, including Umatilla.

This opposition has led to multiple lawsuits currently underway at four storage sites (AL; AR; OR and UT) to block such destruction plans in lieu of safer, not polluting approaches (already adopted in MD; IN; CO. and about to be approved in KY). The Oregon lawsuit will be heard in Circuit Court in October, demonstrating that serious people have serious concerns about the Umatilla facility. To read your article it's like your reporting on a baseball score - with no questionable calls by umpires - this issue is far from that.

It is certainly appropriate to quote the incineration operators position that the surrogate trial burns (not "shakedown" as written in your story) are done "without threatening people or the environment", but that is their "spin" and not at all accurate.

These surrogates, perchloroethelyne and trichlorobenzene are extremely toxic and they were identified in the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 as Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) because of their known adverse health impacts. To infer that these chemicals pose no danger to workers and the public is a false statement.

In addition, since these materials are chlorinated organics, significant amounts of Dioxin and Dioxin like compounds will be released during these trial burns. Dioxin is one of the most toxic substances emitted from incinerators and industrial sources that use, or burn chlorinated substances. It has been identified as a carcinogen by the World Health Organization and is known to impact human reproduction and immune systems with devastating results. It is also a known fact that the average American already exceeds the safe level of Dioxin in their system - adding more to the environment is disgraceful.

I would strongly suggest that before the EO continues writing about how wonderful everything is at the UMCDF, that you and your fellow writers contact individuals with differing points of view about what the operators there have to say in order to meet your journalistic obligations of presenting the entire story in a balanced and honest manner.

I will be happy to supply you with a list of Oregonians and scientists of national reputation who would be glad to assist in broadening the scope of such stories in the future.

In the meantime I would urge that the EO cease "cheerleading" for the facility and present the news - from both sides - as this story continues to unfold.

Craig Williams, Director
Chemical Weapons Working Group
Berea, KY