Camp Carroll Investigation Yields Results
Press Release 01-20110622
YONGSAN GARRISON, South Korea – Eighth Army Commander Lt. Gen. John D. Johnson announced today that they have made some progress in the investigation to determine whether barrels of Agent Orange were buried on Camp Carroll in 1978.
“Since being made aware of these allegations we have been conducting a comprehensive review of our records and reports,” said Johnson. “While we are not sure that what we’ve found directly correlates to the claims made in the media, we have discovered information about materials buried on Camp Carroll in 1978.”
According to Johnson, a 1992 study by the Army Corps of Engineers indicated that a large number of drums containing chemicals, pesticides, herbicides and solvents were buried in the vicinity of the area identified by the former Soldiers in news reports.
Some data from this report was shared with ROK Government officials during a site visit to Camp Carroll on Saturday. The study was a general environment assessment and did not specifically identify Agent Orange. More data will be provided to the ROK Ministry of the Environment representative during a visit to Camp Carroll today.
The study further stated that these materials and 40-60 tons of soil were subsequently removed from the site in 1979-1980 and disposed of offsite. Eighth Army officials are still trying to determine why the materials were buried and how it was disposed after it was excavated.
Subsequent testing in 2004 included using ground-penetrating radar and boring 13 test holes on and around the site. Samples from 12 of the holes had no dioxin present. The thirteenth hole revealed trace amounts of the chemical, but the amount was deemed to be no hazard to human health.
Johnson stressed that the investigation was far from complete. Work with Korean Government officials will continue today during additional site visits by ROK officials to Camp Carroll, and Eighth Army participation during Ministry of Environment testing in areas outside the Camp.
“While we are definitely making some progress, we still have much to do,” he said. “I ask both Koreans and Americans to have patience while we continue this joint assessment.”
Johnson said the next step is to confirm the location identified in the news reports and determine whether it is the same as the one cited in the Corps of Engineers studies. Once we confirm the location, US and ROK officials and experts will participate in new tests to determine if the site contains any of the components found in Agent Orange.
"We will continue to work closely with our ROK counterparts as we continue this joint assessment," said Johnson. "Our number one priority remains ensuring the continued health and safety of our Soldiers, families, civilian workforce and Korean neighbors."