The legacy of military chemical weapons disposal is a complex and hazardous one. Over decades, the U.S. military carried out numerous operations to bury and dispose of chemical weapons and hazardous materials around the world. These operations, often shrouded in secrecy, have left behind a dangerous legacy with significant risks to the environment, public health, and wildlife. Given the secretive nature of these operations, this list may not be comprehensive, as many details remain classified or underreported.
Approved By: General Dwight D. Eisenhower and U.S. Army Chiefs of Staff.Details: Operation Geranium was a U.S. Army mission that involved the disposal of more than 3,000 tons of lewisite, a toxic chemical warfare agent, into the Atlantic Ocean.
Details: Operation Geranium was a U.S. Army mission that involved the disposal of more than 3,000 tons of lewisite, a toxic chemical warfare agent, into the Atlantic Ocean. The operation took place from December 15 to December 20, 1948. The lewisite was transported from the Gulf Chemical Warfare Depot to Charleston, South Carolina, and then loaded onto the World War II merchant ship SS Joshua Alexander.
Chemicals Involved: Lewisite.
Name: Project "Geranium" was named this because lewisite has a smell similar to geraniums.
Dumping Procedure: The lewisite was contained in 60 M14 bulk containers and approximately 3,700 other bulk containers. The ship was sailed 300 miles off the coast of Florida, where it was scuttled with the lewisite aboard, dumping the toxic cargo into the ocean.
Environmental Impact: The disposal of lewisite at sea created significant risks of environmental contamination. Lewisite, with its long-lasting toxic properties, poses risks to marine life and ecosystems. The potential for leakage and dispersal into the ocean environment can lead to long-term ecological damage and contamination of marine habitats.
Health Impacts: The release of lewisite into the ocean can have detrimental effects on marine organisms, leading to reproductive issues, developmental disorders, and increased mortality. Human health risks may arise from consuming contaminated seafood, which could result in serious health conditions related to chemical exposure, such as respiratory problems and skin disorders.
Disposal Gone Wild
The Legacy of Disposing Chemical Weapons at Sea
Bodhisatva Betty