Chemical Weapons Disposal Resumes at Newport

The Newport Chemical Agent Disposal Facility in Indiana yesterday resumed operations following a nearly two-week layoff for repairs, the Associated Press reported (see GSN, May 19).

Both chemical neutralization reactors were shut down May 18 after workers found degraded valve seals in one machine. The facility replaced and tested the valve, after which Reactor No. 1 resumed neutralization of VX nerve agent, AP reported.

The second reactor is set to undergo testing and then begin work again, said Jeff Brubaker, Army site project manager.

“When we face challenges, we stop work, assess and correct the situation if necessary, then move forward,” said Rick Rife, project manager for contractor Parsons Technology Inc.

The Newport Chemical Depot has eliminated roughly 15 percent of its stockpile of more than 250,000 gallons of VX since operations began last year (Associated Press/Star Tribune, May 29).

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