From Deseret News archives:

Exposure to germ tests was extensive

Exposure to agents was widespread, GAO report says

Published: Saturday, May 15, 2004 12:09 a.m. MDT
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The Pentagon has entirely ignored other series of tests that may have exposed more people than Project 112, the report says.

"While there is no database that contains information concerning the biological and chemical tests that have been conducted, we determined that hundreds of such classified tests and research projects were conducted outside Project 112," the GAO wrote.

"In addition, information from various sources shows that personnel from all services were involved in chemical and biological testing," it said. Many were designed by the old Deseret Test Center, which originally was at Fort Douglas and later relocated to Dugway before disbanding.

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"A former Deseret Test Center scientist estimated that the number of chemical and biological tests conducted at just one location — Dugway Proving Ground, Utah — was over 100, or more than double the number of tests conducted under Project 112," the GAO reported. GAO said it found one old study that listed biological field tests conducted at locations including Dugway; Fort Bragg, N.C.; Fort Detrick, Md.; and Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. The GAO noted that its office and others also previously reported that "hundreds of radiological, chemical and biological tests were conducted in which hundreds of thousands of people were used as test subjects." Also, it previously reported that the Army Chemical Corps conducted classified research on incapacitating agents that used at least 7,120 volunteers.

The GAO said that amid its probe, the Pentagon in February "began preparing a plan to identify tests outside Project 112 that might have exposed service members," and civilians.

"However, that office has not yet completed its plan for doing this," the GAO wrote.

The GAO called for finalization and implementation of that plan. It said the Pentagon "concurred with our report findings and recommendations and agreed to implement our recommendations."


E-mail: lee@desnews.com

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