RADFORD, Va. (AP) -- Virginia regulators have fined the Radford Army Ammunition Plant $20,000 for releasing excessive carbon monoxide.
The Roanoke Times reports it's the plant's eighth violation of state environmental regulations in as many years.
The citation involves the release from a smokestack from a facility where nitric and sulfuric acid that are used in the production process are recycled.
Scientists discovered the carbon monoxide was produced from a chemical reaction between the acids and trace amounts of dissolved material deriving from wood pulp. Under a consent order issued by the Division of Environmental Quality last month, the arsenal is developing new technology to fix the problem.
BAE Systems announced this month it was awarded a government contract to take over operations at the plant from Alliant Techsystems.
