Army Modifies VX Neutralization Method

By David McGlinchey
Global Security Newswire

WASHINGTON — The Newport Chemical Depot in Indiana is revising its approach to neutralizing VX nerve agent even though the new method will dramatically increase the amount of byproduct that is produced, a Newport official said yesterday (see GSN, Dec. 12).

The disposal of the Newport VX stockpile has been delayed by controversy over hydrolysate — the byproduct of the neutralization process. The Army originally intended to treat the hydrolysate then dump it in an Ohio sewage system, but local officials blocked the move earlier this year. The VX level in the hydrolysate has also failed to meet some environmental standards.

Army officials are hopeful to begin the neutralization process in the spring of 2004.

The Army intends to neutralize the VX stockpile by mixing it with water and sodium hydroxide. Newport officials originally planned to use a neutralization mixture with 33 percent VX agent and 67 percent sodium hydroxide and water, but the level of VX in the resulting hydrolysate exceeded environmental regulations.

To meet those regulations, the Army is now considering “reducing the amount of VX in each batch to 8, 12 or 16 percent,” according to Jeff Brubaker, the site manager for the Newport Chemical Agent Destruction Facility.

“As a result, we would achieve reliable clearance of the hydrolysate for shipment to a commercial treatment/disposal facility,” Brubaker wrote in a written response to questions from Global Security Newswire.

The new ratio in the neutralization process, however, would create increased volumes of the controversial hydrolysate.

“With the 33 percent recipe, it means about one million gallons. Reducing the load could mean double, triple or even quadruple the amount of waste product to be disposed of. … It could mean several hundred tanker loads,” Brubaker wrote.

Because the plant has no plans to add processing capacity, the time needed neutralize the VX stockpile will be extended, but by how long remains uncertain.

According to Brubaker, the hydrolysate would not be moved from the Newport facility until the VX levels are lower than 20 parts per billion.

That, he said, is “our commitment to the public.”

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