Marty Gordon
Officials at the Radford Army Ammunition Plant say four totes, which were washed away in September’s floods, are still missing.
Nine of the totes filled with the chemical, dibutyl phthalate, have been located.
By the numbers, RAAP officials say they have covered 67 miles by boat, 13 square miles by foot, 67 miles by helicopter, 60 miles by drone and another 22 by local and state responders. One tote was found as far as the West Virginia state line.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, dibutyl phthalate is used in making flexible plastics that are found in a variety of consumer products.
In information from the EPA website, Dibutyl phthalate is used in shower curtains, raincoats, food wraps, bowls, car interiors, vinyl fabrics, floor tiles, and other products, and appears to have relatively low acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) toxicity. No information is available regarding the effects in humans from inhalation or oral exposure to dibutyl phthalate, and only minimal effects have been noted in animals exposed by inhalation.
Neither BAE Systems nor Army officials have said what they use DBP for in the production at the Radford facility.
Givens said the flooding also led to the release of potentially calcium sulfate wastewater and several large amounts of diesel fuel.
Plant officials do not believe there is a risk to public health or wildlife from any of the incidents.
During an online community meeting last week, several onlookers said the plant should have done a better job communicating with the public about the missing totes in a more-timely manner.
In the past 60 days, the plant contracted with Tangent Outfitters to continue searching for the totes. Tangent searched a 70-mile area from Radford to the Blue Stone Dam in West Virginia.
BAE Systems is asking the public to notify local law enforcement if they see any of the totes, and not to drain chemicals from the container.