Hermiston Herald
July 2, 2002

Forum set to demonstrate effectiveness of safety filters

By Frank Lockwood
Staff writer

IRRIGON - A demonstration is being planned for the use of re-circulating
filters to protect those living nearest the Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal
Facility.

Units initially are to be placed in Irrigon safe rooms and residences
nearest the depot's fence. Additional future distribution are also being
discussed.

"The re-circulating filters are very important to the citizens in Irrigon,"
noted Citizens' Advisory Commission Chairman Bob Flournoy of Irrigon.

"They are closest to and normally downwind of the chemical stockpile,
therefore have much less time to shelter in place and will be under a much
more concentrated plume than those farther from the Depot." Flournoy said he
was looking forward to the two July 16 sessions, which will likely take
place at Stokes Landing.

Morrow County emergency managers have been working closely with the
manufacturer Honeywell, the Army, the National Institute for Chemical
Studies and the Irrigon Fire Department. They will be promoting a future
press conference and community meeting. Radio appearances and ads for both
newspapers and radio stations are planned, and the Stokes Landing location
has yet to be confirmed.

Flournoy says there is a need to get the "maximum attendance for the
presentation and demonstration" that CSEPP's Casey Beard is planning for
Irrigon. Flournoy, himself, lives in Irrigon.

"This is very important for the safety of Irrigon citizens who all live and
work immediately adjacent to the stockpile," Flournoy said.

If there ever is a major catastrophe, being so close, Irrigon residents will
have less time than others to defend themselves by sheltering in place.
Estimates have indicated they may have as little as 15 to 30 minutes, and
they may be required to remain sheltered for as long as six hours. "The
re-circulating fans must be used properly to assist in survival," Flournoy
noted.

CSEPP is planning a public forum regarding the performance of the
re-circulating filters, with initial distribution of 390 units to the
general public in Irrigon closest to the UMCD fence.

To predict the health risks from any given levels of exposure, the EPA has
been developing the Acute Exposure Guideline Levels. Depending on the amount
and time of exposure to an agent, the exposure is rated as level 1, 2, or 3.

Funding is requested in the fiscal year 2003 budget to provide additional
units to everyone in the county who would be at risk of an AEGL Level 2
exposure to VX chemical agent. AEGL level 2 is the level that potentially
would result in serious, long-lasting adverse health effects and impaired
ability to evacuate. Level 2 effects may be irreversible.

The lower, AEGL Level 1, means notable discomfort that is temporary and not
disabling, and AEGL Level 3 refers to a life-threatening exposure.

Flournoy said he believed the re-circulating units will not be needed before
actual chemical incineration commences in the year 2003.