NEWS RELEASE

Mayor Jennifer P. Dougherty

CONTACT: Jeanette Eleff, Public Information Officer, 301-360-3842

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, April 3, 2002

MAYOR DOUGHERTY NOTIFIED BY FORT DETRICK THAT EXCAVATION AT AREA B-11 WILL BEGIN TODAY

Fort Detrick personnel notified Mayor Jennifer Dougherty’s office this morning that excavation in Pit 1 at Area B-11 Environmental Restoration Site will resume today.

Excavation was halted January 7 due to the discovery of two sealed vials containing bacteria. Before excavation work could continue, additional safety measures were required to guarantee the health and safety of workers and the surrounding areas.

According to Eileen Mitchell, Fort spokeswoman, all safety measures and infrastructure changes have been tested and are working successfully. Air filter efficiency has been increased by installing hepa filters to filter out the smallest of particulates before air leaves the structure. Additional heating and air conditioning is in place and a secondary shredder will finely grind any items found during excavation. All excavated material will be disinfected inside the structure before removing it for disposal.

“I commend the staff at Fort Detrick for giving us this timely information,” stated Mayor Dougherty. “This is what I expect from a good neighbor.”

A daily summary of the excavation activities can be found on the Fort Detrick web page

http://www.armymedicine.army.mil/detrick.

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