Chemical Weapons Haunt Atlantic Fishermen: Disturbing Findings
Fishing crews in the Atlantic continue to accidentally dredge up dangerous chemical warfare munitions, exposing crews to mustard agent burns. Explore the troubling legacy of dumped WWII weapons.
Fishing crews in the Atlantic Ocean have been grappling with a disturbing and dangerous legacy - the accidental dredging of chemical weapons that were dumped off the coast decades ago.
According to a report published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, there have been at least three incidents between 2016 and 2023 where commercial fishing crews in New Jersey have encountered these chemical warfare munitions (CWMs). The exposures have resulted in severe mustard agent burns, hospitalizing crew members and requiring skin grafts and physical therapy.
The history of this issue dates back to the post-World War I and II eras, when the United States dumped an estimated 17,000 tons of unspent chemical weapons off the Atlantic coast. This reckless disposal decision continues to haunt commercial fishing operations in the region, putting crews at risk of exposure to these deadly relics of past conflicts.
Source: Ars Technica
