Fishing crews in the Atlantic keep accidentally dredging up chemical weapons

[taiwan_girl]

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/75/wr/mm7508a3.htm?s_cid=OS_mm7508a3_w

What is already known about this topic?
Until 1970, unexploded chemical warfare munitions (CWMs), including sulfur mustard (mustard gas) from World War I and World War II, were disposed of at sea. Commercial fishing vessels occasionally inadvertently dredge sea-disposed CWMs, exposing workers and risking health and safety.

What is added by this report?
Three incidents of recovered CWMs in New Jersey waters occurred in 2016, 2017, and 2023, resulting in severe worker injuries and large-scale food product destruction.

What are the implications for public health practice?
The risk for inadvertent recovery of sea-disposed CWMs continues while munitions remain on the seafloor. Prioritizing avoidance of documented dump sites followed by engineering and administrative measures, interagency coordination, training, and use of personal protective equipment are recommended to mitigate the risk for future injuries and food contamination.

[Mik]

Seems ill advised.