PARSONS completes elimination of newport stockpile

PASADENA, CA. – Parsons, the systems contractor for the Newport Chemical Agent Disposal Facility (NECDF), announces that the last ton container of chemical agent VX stored onsite at the Newport Chemical Depot (NECD) has been successfully neutralized, marking the completion of stockpile elimination at the Newport, Indiana, depot.

Parsons was awarded the Army contract to design, construct, and operate the facility to destroy the VX stockpile. Parsons safely destroyed the agent VX using caustic neutralization technology. The process involved mixing the VX with heated sodium hydroxide and water in two batch reactors.

Parsons Project Manager Doug Reehl said, “This truly is a historic moment. The safe destruction of the VX stockpile at Newport represents the culmination of years of dedication and commitment on the part of the Chemical Materials Agency, the Newport Chemical Depot, and our employees as a part of the NECDF team. We have made a difference; we have made the world a safer and better place.”

For nearly 40 years, workers at the NECD safely stored 1,269 tons of chemical agent VX in 1,690 steel containers. VX destruction began on May 5, 2005, and took three years and three months to complete. The site will now enter a closure phase, which will consist of dismantling buildings and equipment as well as disposing of various wastes related to the project. Closure operations are expected to take 18-24 months.

Parsons, celebrating more than 60 years of setting industry standards, is a leader in many diversified markets such as nuclear and specialty systems, water, transportation, construction, education and public buildings, infrastructure, planning, commercial, industrial manufacturing, communications, environmental, healthcare, life sciences, critical facilities, and homeland security. Parsons provides technical and management solutions to private industrial customers worldwide, as well as federal, regional, and local government agencies. For more about Parsons, please visit us at www.parsons.com.