Toxin use at Fort Detrick to be reviewed

The Army says the National Academy of Sciences will review several studies of possible public health effects from toxins used at Fort Detrick in Frederick.

Col. Judith Robinson, the garrison’s commander, said Wednesday that the peer review will help determine whether the research is scientifically sound. A report is expected by September.

The studies include a 2009 Health and Human Services finding that contamination of off-post drinking water by the solvents PCE and TCE was unlikely to cause health problems.

State public health officials are investigating cancer cases within a mile of Fort Detrick amid concerns about the groundwater contamination and Agent Orange testing from the 1940s to the 1960s.