Terre Haute Tribune-Star
July 15, 2003

VX schedule shaky

By Patricia L. Pastore/Tribune-Star (Terre Haute)
July 15, 2003

Newport: The Army and the contractor it has hired to destroy the deadly
nerve agent VX must overcome two challenges for neutralization of the
chemical stockpile at Newport to stay on schedule.

Currently, Army officials are refining the neutralization process to meet
Army safety standards. The testing is occurring off site.

As of Monday, the Army had not met its 20 parts VX per billion requirement
when conducting neutralization tests, said Jeff Brubaker, project manager
at the Newport Chemical Agent Disposal Facility.

Neutralization is slated to begin in October

The majority of the VX stockpile contains a stabilizing agent that leaves
more VX in its byproduct than the 20 parts per billion allowed by Army
standards.

In addition to continued work on the neutralization process, Army and
Parsons Inc. officials are forming contingency plans in case the
hydrolysate can't be shipped to Ohio. The Army contracted Parsons to build
and operate the neutralization facility.

Neutralizing VX is expected to produce about 1 million gallons of
hydrolysate, a highly alkaline substance, described as being similar to
drain pipe cleaner. The chemical is slated to be transported to Perma-Fix,
a commercial hazardous waste treatment facility in Dayton, Ohio.

There, Perma-Fix will process the hydrolysate in its biotreatment facility
before discharging it in the city's sewer treatment plant.

Citizens in Ohio oppose the plans and are attempting to stop
transportation from the depot in Vermillion County to their community. The
Ohio opposition is growing, according to news reports from the Dayton
Daily News.

If the two major challenges are not soon met, the October start date could
be at risk, said Army spokeswoman Terry Arthur, speaking about "Project
Speedy Neut."

"If everything goes exactly right, October is still a good date," Arthur
said. "Parsons and the Army are conducting continuous, around-the-clock
efforts to stay on schedule. There are many variables. Our commitment is
we won't go on line or ship hydrolysate if it is unsafe."

Army officials, along with representatives from Parsons Inc., will discuss
the issues with residents of Vermillion County tonight.

No hydrolysate will be shipped until the Army is satisfied it will not
jeopardize public safety.

"The Army's commitment remains to ship hydrolysate only if it is confirmed
to contain no detectable quantities of VX," Brubaker said.

Army safety standards stipulate 20 parts per billion, while Indiana
regulations allow as much as 230 parts per billion detection in the
hydrolysate.

Brubaker said he believes the Army standard is "extremely conservative."

"It doesn't matter," he said. "It is an Army standard and that is all that
matters. They made a commitment to the people."

Five different scientific organizations are working with Parsons to reduce
the small amount of VX left in the hydrolysate to meet the government's
limits, Brubaker said.

When VX was manufactured at Newport, two types of stabilizers were added
to the nerve agent.

About 14 percent of the VX stockpile contains a type of stabilizer the

Army has successfully neutralized, meeting Army standards.
However, the bulk of the VX stockpile -- 85 percent -- was stabilized in a
different manner.

Testing will continue on this VX to determine the best way to neutralize
it. Results could be available by the end of July, Brubaker said.

Meanwhile, Parsons officials also are looking at building an on-site
hydrolysate storage facility, known as a tank farm. The chemical would be
stored there until it could be further treated at a later time.

The contingency plan is being considered in case the hydrolysate can't be
transported to Ohio for treatment.

Currently, temporary storage tanks inside the neutralization facility can
hold about 30,000 gallons of the byproduct -- the amount generated after
three or four weeks into neutralization.

The farm would ensure the continuation of Operation Speedy Neut, the
accelerated plan to destroy VX nearly three years ahead of schedule, chief
environmental engineer Glen Shonkwiler has said.

U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh is closely monitoring operations at Newport.
Bayh has been in touch with Department of Defense representatives, the
senator's spokesman, Mark Kornblau, said Monday.

"The Department of Defense continues to assure Sen. Bayh that we are on
schedule for the safe and accelerated neutralization of VX stored at
Newport," Kornblau said. "There are bound to be some ups and downs along
the way, but as of today, we were assured they are still on track."