No Weapons With Deadly Carcinogen, Says Defense

WASHINGTON (CN) – Contractors may not supply the government with weapons containing cancer causing hexavalent chromium, under a Defense Department proposed rule.     Although the Defense Department notes “serious human health and environmental risks” related to the use of the chemical compound, it allows use of weapon systems, subsystems, components and other items containing the toxic anti-corrosive, if grandfathered in as legacy systems or their parts, or if authorized by a military general or equivalent and the Component Corrosion Control and Prevention Executive.     The department also says the government should consider alternatives to hexavalent chromium during system modifications, follow-on procurements of legacy systems and maintenance procedure updates.     A new contract clause is to be used in solicitations and contracts for supplies, maintenance and repair services, and construction.     Click the document icon for this regulation and others.