The U.S. agreed to a ban on the production of chemical weapons in 1969. But there was a problem. What to do with the deadly toxins still in storage?

Indiana's Newport Chemical Depot, for example, was left with 1,269 tons of VX, the deadliest nerve agent ever produced.

Three and a half decades later, the Army has run into yet another delay in trying to rid the facility, about 30 miles north of Terre Haute, of this deadly stockpile. A recent test of plans to neutralize the compound with sodium hydroxide and water at a temperature of nearly 200 degrees raised 190 issues involving operations or safety.

Although the Army said none of the concerns was a "show-stopper," destruction of the agent has been delayed until sometime between October and December.

That's assuming it isn't delayed further by objections from officials in New Jersey or Delaware. The plan is to ship the corrosive wastewater byproduct from the neutralization process to a New Jersey chemical company for further treatment before dumping it in the Delaware River.

Safety to residents around the Newport depot is and should be of the essence, as should concern about environmental damage to the Delaware River. But there is theoretical risk associated with either doing something or doing nothing.

VX is considered 1,000 times deadlier than Sarin nerve gas. Until it is neutralized, people in the vicinity of Newport are at risk due to possible leaks, theft of the material or terrorism.

Army officials need to use caution in disposing of this deadly compound, but they also need to get the job done.