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Sarin Release Forces One-Day Suspension of Chemical Destruction at Anniston
Incineration operations at the U.S. Army’s chemical weapons destruction facility in Anniston, Ala., were suspended for nearly a day this week after cleaning work triggered alarms and a small release of sarin into a clean area of the facility, the Associated Press reported today (see GSN, Jan. 16). Wednesday afternoon, two workers were changing filters that had been encrusted with crystalline sarin agent and allowed some the agent to get on their protective clothing. After moving to a decontamination area to remove their suits, alarms rang nearby after some the agent apparently drifted in the wrong direction, according to plant officials. After assessing the situation, destruction activity resumed yesterday. While work stoppages have occurred occasionally at Anniston, but this one was particularly worrisome, said a plant spokesman. “I’m not aware of another situation that has put us on edge like this did,” said Bob Love, project manager for plant operator Westinghouse Anniston. Love said that corrections to the facility’s airflow were required. “It needs to be fixed,” he said, adding “We’ll have to change airflows or open doors slower or something” (Associated Press/Al.com, Feb. 6).
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