Following is a resolution passed by the National Gulf War Resource
Center at their September 1999 conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The CWWG again appreciates the support from the NGWRC in
working for safe disposal of chemical weapons.
Resolution Opposing the Continuation of the Pentagon's
Chemical Weapons Incineration Program and
Advocating Safe Disposal of Chemical Warfare Agents
Whereas, the National Gulf War Resource Center (NGWRC) supports the
ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention and supports the disposal of
the U.S. stockpile of chemical weapons;
Whereas, low-level exposure to chemical warfare agents alone or in combination
with other toxic compounds is highly suspected as being associated with
illnesses among Gulf War Veterans;
Whereas, the Pentagon's "safe" standards for chemical agent exposure are
based on data which the National Research Council in 1997 found to be
inadequate and invalid and are therefore not protective of veterans, workers,
the general public and the environment;
Whereas, the Pentagon is currently operating two chemical weapons
incinerators -- one in the Pacific and one in the continental U.S. -- which are
known to routinely emit low levels of chemical warfare agents into the
environment;
Whereas, these chemical weapons incinerators have been plagued by chronic
incidents such agent migrations and releases within and outside of the plant,
worker exposures, power failures, and shut downs; and
Whereas, of the seven basic systems of the incineration facility in Utah, two
have completely failed and others only operate at part-time, causing significant
delays in weapons processing;
Whereas, the Utah incinerator produces approximately 15 pounds of hazardous
waste for every pound of chemical agent burned, which is then shipped across
the country for deep-well injection, incineration or landfills;
Whereas, despite the proven, repeated failures of the Pacific and Utah
incinerators, construction of chemical weapons incinerators has begun in three
additional continental U.S. communities;
Whereas, the chemical weapons stockpiles in Maryland and Indiana will be
destroyed with advanced, non-incineration technologies;
Whereas, the Congressionally-mandated Assembled Chemical Weapons
Assessment (ACWA) program has demonstrated three advanced non-
incineration technologies for chemical weapons disposal and has been
authorized to demonstrate three additional advanced technologies; and
Whereas, implementation of such advanced chemical weapons disposal
technologies could accomplish the goals of the Chemical Weapons Convention
while posing fewer risks to people and the environment; now
Therefore be it resolved that the NGWRC renew its call for a reconsideration
of the Pentagon's current "safe and acceptable" chemical agent exposure and
emission standards in light of the 1997 National Research Council's
aforementioned report; and
Be it further resolved that the NGWRC with the Chemical Weapons Working
Group calls for a halt to the incineration of chemical weapons and the
construction of additional incinerators and supports the implementation of
advanced non-incineration technologies for chemical weapons disposal in order
to achieve "maximum protection" of veterans, workers, the general public and
the environment as mandated by federal law.
Passed by the National Gulf War Resouce Center, September 21, 1999
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