For the past several years I have used a calculation involving VX nerve agent as an elementary exercise in the first-year chemistry course that I teach at ISU. I have my students calculate how many people could potentially be killed with the stockpile of VX stored near Newport. Assuming highly efficient distribution, this is a sufficient quantity of VX to kill every human being on Earth many times over.

I was quite alarmed when I learned that incineration was being considered as a means by which to destroy the VX stockpile. Some years ago, I worked as a research scientist for the EPA testing hazardous waste incinerators. Although incineration can, in theory, be highly efficient it is fraught with problems in practice. The approach to VX destruction that was ultimately adopted is, in my view, a much better approach than incineration.

It is necessary to understand a little bit of simple chemistry in order to understand what is being done to destroy the VX. The VX nerve agent is a chemical substance that is made up of molecules. Molecules are composed of atoms. The extremely high human toxicity arises from a specific arrangement of the atoms in VX molecules. The VX is being destroyed by mixing it with a solution containing strong base that is similar to common household drain cleaner.

The base causes the VX molecules to undergo rapid hydrolysis. Hydrolysis results in the splitting apart of VX molecules into new molecules that have different arrangements of atoms and far lower toxicity than the original VX molecules. What remains after hydrolysis is called the “hydrolysate” which is a mixture containing the added strong base along with the new molecules derived from splitting apart the VX molecules.

This is a relatively simple process to carry out and, while not foolproof, probably poses very little danger to anyone except the people who are actually handling the VX.

Some people seem to be very concerned about the toxicity of the hydrolysate. The main toxicity issue associated with the hydrolysate is likely to be due to the caustic base which can easily be neutralized by addition of acid. The hydrolysate is probably no more toxic than many industrial chemicals that are routinely shipped by rail and truck.

Tanker cars filled with industrial chemicals pass through Terre Haute every day. We drive past tanker trucks loaded with industrial chemicals on I-70 on the way to Indianapolis or St. Louis and don't give it a thought.

Moving the huge stockpile of VX to another location prior to destruction is so dangerous that it is too terrifying to contemplate. No one can guarantee that there will be no accidents, injuries or deaths associated with destruction of the VX at Newport. However, the destruction method chosen appears to be a sound option because it is unlikely to result any VX exposure hazard to the general population and the hydrolysate can be moved safely to another location for further treatment.

Allowing the VX to sit in rusting containers is definitely not a sound option.

- John M. Allen, Ph.D.
  Associate professor
  Department of Chemistry
  Indiana State University