Fort Detrick officials order tests after odor at Landfill Well

The Associated Press

1:44 p.m. EST, November 20, 2011
Fort Detrick officials say tests are being conducted after workers noticed an odor coming from a monitoring well being installed at a landfill.

Officials announced Saturday that workers were drilling in a section of the installation called Area B, which is contaminated with chemicals, as part of a groundwater contamination investigation when they noticed the odor Wednesday.

Officials say detection of such vapors isn't unusual during such investigations and low concentrations of the vapors were found only within 10 feet of the drill site. They say initial tests showed no risk to the surrounding area, but additional tests will be made public as they are returned.

As a precaution, officials say, workers at the drill site will wear additional protective equipment, including respirators.