NERVE GAS IS FOUND AT FORMER WEAPONS SITE

11:00 - 24 August 2006
Traces of a deadly nerve gas have been found by specialists clearing dump sites at a former chemical weapons factory on the Westcountry coast. The secret Chemical Defence Establishment at Nancekuke, near Redruth, manufactured about 20 tons of the nerve agent Sarin between 1954 and 1956 before the Government abandoned its offensive chemical capability. Now known as RAF Portreath, the facility was decommissioned and closed in 1977.

Seven years ago the Ministry of Defence (MoD) began investigating five sites - labelled A, B, C, D and E - which were used as dumping grounds during the break-up of the plant. They are known to contain asbestos, decontaminated plant, and small quantities of chemicals.

Remediation work started in May this year and the MoD has now revealed that traces of Sarin have been found in two of the pits after laboratory analysis.

It said a few parts per million had been found of methyl phosphonic acid (MPA) and isopropyl methylphosphonic acid (IMPA) - which were no more toxic than many household insecticides.

Dr Richard Soilleux, of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), said: "A similar minute quantity of MPA was found within a glass flask during investigations at dumpsite C in 2003.

"At that time, it was explained that MPA is a relatively harmless chemical and was a breakdown product from the decontamination processes that took place on all equipment before it was buried in the dumpsites.

"On this occasion the two chemicals found were also extremely diluted, and while MPA could be a skin and eye irritant for staff working within the vapour containment system, if they were not wearing appropriate protection. It is no more toxic than many insecticides approved for home use.

"IMPA is five times less toxic than MPA and is not even an irritant."

The laboratory's analysis of samples from the first six trial pits at dumpsite B, which has been fitted with a vapour containment system, has shown these samples are clear of chemical warfare agents.

At dumpsite C, work to temporarily relocate the heather covering this site is well under way and a water management system has been installed for irrigation.

By September, Defence Estates expects to have excavated about 100 cubic metres of waste and completed studies at four other sites.

Project manager Garth Weaver said: "The assessment study involves trial pits being dug at regular intervals across the sites to allow the team to collect soil and water samples.

"This has already started at dumpsite B and will enable us to obtain the best possible data to better inform the Environment Agency and other statutory regulators about what has been buried.

"The information collected will also enable the appropriate remediation work to be undertaken in agreement with the Environment Agency, in line with the requirements of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

"It is highly unlikely that any chemical warfare agents were dumped when Nancekuke was decommissioned, but we are adopting a safety-first approach with trial pit digging work at dumpsites A, B and C. This is why people using the North Cornwall coastal path may have seen a large tent-like structure, which was erected in May over dumpsite B. All work takes place within this structure, which is the vapour containment system."

Work has also started at the former mine workings in the Kerriack Valley, with a local mining contractor carrying out works before the physical inspection of the mine later this year. It will provide information about the nature and extent of the waste in dumpsites D and E which are both mine shafts.