The state of Colorado and the US Army have reached an agreement on how to dispose of six small sarin gas bombs, which were recently discovered at a nearby nature retreat.
The bombs, each about the size of a grapefruit, were built in the 1950s for insertion into a missile warhead. They were discovered in the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Area.
Colorado Governor Bill Owens announced Friday that the weapons would be destroyed in a sealed chamber.
Military officials had preferred an open-air explosion, but Colorado health officials and environmentalists feared a mishap, since even a single drop of sarin can kill an adult within minutes.
The army now has decided to detonate the bombs, one at a time, in a sealed chamber. After each explosion, sodium hydroxide will be released into the chamber to neutralize the sarin gas.
As a further precaution, the Army has agreed to erect a temporary structure which will cover the chamber and its immediate surroundings, to contain any leaks from the explosion.
Military officials, along with area politicians and civic groups, also have planned a December 12 public hearing about the impending bomb disposal -- DENVER (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
