MODIFICATIONS TO CHEMICAL WEAPONS
INCINERATOR MAY MEAN MORE MERCURY EXPOSURE FOR UTAH
Citizens propose non-incineration methods for destruction of remaining
mustard agent stockpile
Several citizens and environmental
organizations today submitted comments to the Utah Department of Environmental
Quality on a set of proposed modifications to the Army's chemical weapons
incinerator in Tooele. Having disposed of all of the nerve agents stored
at the Deseret Chemical Depot, the Army is now preparing to burn Utah's cache
of mustard agent. However, the citizens groups raised concerns that burning
mustard agents will release levels of mercury and other toxins into the air
that are unsafe and unacceptable.
The Armyc's mustard agent incineration plan involves
a significant departure from the original plans presented to state regulators
and community members. Since the Army is unable to adequately drain
mustard agent from the munitions and containers which hold the agent, the
Army plans to simply feed excessive quantities of agent into an incinerator
unit that was not designed for that purpose.
Further complications arise from the fact that numerous
agent containers also have excessive amounts of mercury in them, which was
not supposed to be present in the agent. To solve this problem, the
Army is proposing multiple permit modifications: one set of modifications
for mustard agents with 1 part per million concentration of mercury or less,
and another set for treatment of mustard agents with mercury concentrations
greater than 1 part per million.
While "parts per million" measurements may sound very
small, it only takes exposure to a tiny amount of mercury to result in serious
health problems. New (2005) EPA data shows 16% of U.S. newborns, or about
1 in 6, may be victims of mercury poisoning.
Mercury is a heavy metal that is persistent in the
environment and moves through the food chain to humans, where it can result
in birth defects and chronic illnesses. In 2005, fish consumption advisories
were issued in at least 5 Utah Counties due to mercury contamination.
Though mustard agent itself is less lethal than nerve
agents, the incineration of this substance can also result in high emissions
of dioxin, furans and other toxic substances.
Jason Groenewold, Director of the Healthy Environment
Alliance of Utah (HEAL Utah), said the group's comments highlight major problems
with burning mustard agent, such as the Army’s plan to pass mercury emissions
standards by simply reducing the amount of mustard agent that is incinerated
in an hour, which is how the mercury limits are currently imposed.
"This approach doesn't prevent mercury from
getting into the air, it just spreads it out over a longer period of time," said Groenewold. "If you never shut off the
spout, a tub of water will eventually overflow whether you fill it slowly
or quickly. The Army should be required to limit the total amount of
mercury it releases into our environment rather than simply being able to
emit an unlimited quantity over a longer period of time."
Instead of incineration, the groups urge the Army to
use a neutralization method to destroy the nerve agents. Neutralization
is a safe, proven method for destruction of mustard agents. Its low
temperatures prevent the formation of dioxins, and heavy metals like mercury
can be segregated from the waste stream and not released into the air.
Just this month, the U.S. Army finished destruction
of its mustard agent stockpile in Aberdeen, Maryland with neutralization.
In Pueblo, Colorado, the neutralization process will also be used to destroy
mustard agent projectiles.
CWWG Director Craig Williams said, "This would be a
perfect opportunity for the Army to use its past experience and switch to
safer neutralization methods at Tooele."
Williams continued, "The Army will try very hard to
make it appear as though this incinerator will destroy mustard agent and
mercury effectively. But in so doing they are gambling with the environment
and the health of our communities and future generations. "
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copies of HEAL’s comments are available upon request.
