for more information contact:
Craig Williams 859-986-7565
859-302-1103

for immediate release: Monday, April 21, 2008

CHEMICAL WEAPONS WORKING GROUP SECURES PRO BONO SERVICES OF EPA ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENTIST

Today the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gave final approval to the temporary assignment of a Regional Senior Health Scientist to work with the Chemical Weapons Working Group (CWWG) at no cost to the national grassroots coalition.

As part of EPA's Intergovernmental Personnel Act - Mobility Assignment Program, Ms. Marsha Marsh, who has a Masters Degree in Public Health and specialized training in biological and chemical warfare agents, will be assisting the CWWG thru mid -September.

Ms Marsh is currently located at the EPA's office in Research Triangle Park, N.C. and has previously worked for the Centers for Disease Control; the Peace Corps; the State of Missouri; Portland, Oregon Veterans Medical Center; the U.S. Public Health Service; and the Red Cross.

Ms. Marsh will focus on the safe disposal of waste contaminated with chemical warfare agent and other lethal/toxic derivatives. She will also give consideration to public health impacts of handling this waste, and conduct an evaluation of the technologies available for monitoring waste contaminated with chemical warfare agent during its storage, transportation and disposal.

According to CWWG Director Craig Williams, the organization had been negotiating this assignment since November 2007. "We couldn't be more pleased," Williams said. "We are confident the chemical weapons work we have been engaged in for years will be greatly enhanced by Ms. Marsh's expertise. Additionally, because her assignment was routed through EPA's National Homeland Security Office, the CWWG will have the opportunity to assist in our nation's efforts to provide greater chemical security for the general public."

Ms. Marsh stated, "I am looking forward to working with the CWWG coalition on these most timely and important pieces of their overall program."

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