Fishing crews in the Atlantic keep accidentally dredging up chemical weapons
10 hours ago
- #fishing-hazards
- #chemical-weapons
- #public-health
- US dumped ~17,000 tons of chemical weapons off the Atlantic coast until 1970.
- Three incidents (2016–2023) involved fishing crews dredging up mustard-agent munitions near New Jersey.
- Six crew members exposed; severe burns, hospitalizations, and skin grafts reported.
- Ocean drift and storms make dumped munitions' locations unpredictable.
- 2016 incident led to contaminated clams, recalls, and product destruction.
- Similar 2013 report noted clam fishermen encountering garlic-smelling munitions.