Incinerator begins destroying VX agent-filled spray tanks


For the first time in the 60 plus year history of the Deseret Chemical Depot
(DCD), VX nerve agent-filled spray tanks are beginning to be destroyed.

Though such spray tanks were originally designed to distribute toxins from
aircraft onto battlefields, the United States military has never opted to
use them in combat. Thus such containers of agent have sat in storage since
their creation.

Tooele Chemical Agent Disposal Facility workers began the destruction
processes of such containers on Friday, July 23.

Each tank holds 160 gallons (1,356 pounds) of VX nerve agent inside, a drop
of which could be deadly. Currently there are more than 800 such VX spray
tanks in storage at the DCD.

A DCD press release noted, “Initial processing of spray tanks will be
relatively slow in preparation for a spray tank demonstration test scheduled
for early-to-mid August.”

Chuck Sprague DCD spokesman said once trial burns are complete and full
operations begin, about 49 spray tanks will be destroyed each week.

While the spray tanks are being processed, workers will continue to process
the remaining stockpile of VX-filled 155-millimeter projectiles. The last
remaining VX munitions scheduled for destruction are land mines.

e-mail: kscott@tooeletranscript.com