Disposal of VX nerve agent
What do you do with byproduct from the neutralization of the most toxic nerve agent ever synthesized?
More that 1,000 tons of VX nerve agent is stored in Newport, Indiana. A drop of VX the size of a pinpoint could kill an adult.
The nerve agent is being neutralized on location. What is left is toxic waste water byproduct called hydrolysate, The Army has shipped about 16,000 gallons of the hydrolysate to be incinerated at a treatment plant in Port Arthur, Texas. No public hearing was offered before shipping hydrolysate to Port Arthur, and more shipments are planned.
The Army tried to ship the waste to two other locations. First, to Dayton, Ohio and then to treatment plant on the Delaware River in New Jersey. In both cases, citizen protests prevented the shipment of toxic waste. Communities opposed to shipments of hydrolysate want to avoid the dangers involved in transportation as well as potential health and environmental risks. They also are concerned about residue of VX presence and possible reformation in wastewater.
An on-site process to destroy the toxic waste called, Supercritical Water Oxidation is recommended by Chemical Working Group. The State of Indiana has issued a permit to the Army for the process that breaks down the toxic components into carbon dioxide, water and salts.
Let your U.S. representatives and senators know that you don’t want chemical weapons waste shipped across the country when a safer, onsite process is available.