The incineration of chemical warfare materials stockpiled at the Umatilla Chemical Depot in Oregon has started up again following the state-ordered halt to disposal in October, the Tri-City, Wash., Herald reported yesterday (see GSN, Dec. 15, 2009).
The burning of mustard agent was permitted to resume after more restrictive limits were established on the amount of organic salts allowed in bulk containers going through the incinerator. The cap was set in order to comply with air quality regulations and to prevent potentially unsafe emissions from the Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility; it is expected to prolong chemical disarmament work at the depot.
The Oregon Environmental Quality Department on Friday gave its approval to an initial permit for a trial burn that limits the amount of salt permitted to 435 pounds, agency Chemical Demilitarization Program official Rich Duval said.
A single ton container filled with mustard agent had been incinerated as of Sunday. A public comment period is set to take place before the trial incineration period can begin as the plant ramps up toward full disposal operations for mustard agent.
The mustard agent effort will be the last chemical weapons elimination campaign at Umatilla. It is set to be finished within one to two years (Annette Cary, Tri-City Herald, Jan. 26).