"At military bases across the country, the Department of Defense (DoD) has for decades relied on a practice known as open burn/open detonation (OB/OD) to destroy excess, unserviceable, or obsolete military munitions, including small arms cartridges, rockets, mortars, missiles, and other items.
Open burn and open detonation harm the environment and human health as these practices result in the uncontrolled release of toxic constituents directly into the air, soil, and groundwater. This report focuses on one of the facilities that continues to use open burning to destroy munitions in close proximity to elementary schools, community members, and college students – the Radford Army Ammunition Plant (RAAP or the Arsenal) in Radford, Virginia.
RAAP has released millions of pounds of harmful toxins and heavy metals into surrounding communities and the environment as a result of its day-to-day operations. The facility has made matters worse with its long record of violations and lack of compliance with permitting requirements. As a result, nearby residents face pollution burdens that create an elevated risk of asthma and cancer compared to the rest of the state. On top of all of this, RAAP and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) have also failed to provide sufficient transparency about operations at the Arsenal. Community members are often left in the dark not knowing what they are being exposed to or what is being done to ensure they are protected."
The Center for Progressive Reform published its report September 28, 2022.
SEE ALSO:
"Residents Link Cancer-Causing Emissions To Health Problems In Radford" (VPM)
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