How deadly is the VX nerve agent stored at the Newport Chemical Depot less than 100 miles west of Indianapolis?

A tiny amount of Sarin nerve gas would quickly cause lung congestion, tightness of the chest, dim vision, drooling, excessive perspiration, nausea, muscle tremors, coma and then death. VX is 1,000 times deadlier than that.

There are 1,289 tons of VX stored in casks at Newport, where it was made from 1961 to 1969 as part of this nation's chemical warfare arsenal. Under an international treaty, the United States had agreed to get rid of its chemical weapons by 2007. Concern created by the 9/11 terrorist attacks accelerated that deadline to 2004.

Now, however, the contractor hired to use a lye solution to break down the VX molecules into a less harmful byproduct known as hydrolysate has been told its subcontractor can't dispose of the hydrolysate.

So destruction of the VX at Newport is on hold.

Any approach to getting rid of VX -- one of the deadliest compounds on Earth -- entails risk. There have been minor accidents using incineration to destroy nerve agents. Other methods pose risks of leaks. Environmental groups object to the disposal of the hydrolysate. They say that even though the byproduct is far less deadly that VX, the 300,000 gallons of hydrolysate would be similar in toxicity to a liquid drain cleaner.

But the greatest risk is doing nothing and keeping 1,289 tons of VX at Newport, where it is vulnerable to a terrorist attack, leaks, natural disasters or theft.

Everyone in the vicinity of Newport, as well as those who are downwind, including residents of Indianapolis, will breathe easier when the VX is broken down, even if the byproduct has to be stored on site until a final disposal site or method is agreed upon.

Meanwhile, state leaders need to work with the Army to find a responsible way to dispose of the hydrolysate -- even if it has to be done in Indiana's back yard.