150 tons of Syrian chemicals to be burnt in Britain

Britain is preparing to assist in the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons by burning 150 tons of chemicals, just over 10 per cent of the total weight of the elements used to make such weapons by the regime in Damascus. The French-owned Veolia Company is expected to use its commercial facility in Cheshire to destroy the chemicals using very high temperatures.

Company officials explained to Turkey’s Anadolu news agency that the process used to destroy the chemical weapons will be no different to that used by pharmaceutical and other industries in Britain. It is, they insisted, a “routine” procedure. Once the materials reach British ports they will be transported to Cheshire by road. They are likely to reach the UK in April or May.

The elements to be destroyed in Britain form the main chemicals used in the manufacture of nerve gas. This is causing concern about the possible bad impact on the environment. However, Veolia insists that the process will not cause any harm to the environment or be a threat to local residents. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons will supervise the transfer and destruction of the chemicals.