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Show B3 - HilSop October 28, 1999 Coots' actors destroy Tirs t Ml nuteman by SSgt. Scott Sturkul 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affiars GRAND FORKS AFB, N.D. (AFPN) The first of 150 Minuteman III missile silos in eastern North Dakota was destroyed Oct. 6 in an implosion by contractors near Langdon, N.D., only a few miles from the United a border. , The effort is in accordance with Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty I. More than 100 spectators, including local media, saw a piece of North Dakota's military history turned into a pile of rubble. "The missiles that were here were taken off alert in 1995," said Col. Mike Heinemeyer, 91st Space Wing vice commander at Minot Air Force Base, N.D. The 791st Maintenance Squadron and Grand Forks falls under the 91st. "This is the start of the final compliance of START I, where we implode the sites so they can never be used for their original purpose." The implosion was the first for a Minuteman III silo in North Dakota, said Scott Rudolf, 319th Civil Engineer Squadron chief of missile engineering. The destruction of launch facility 4 marked the start of a $12.1 million combined Air Force-Arm- y Corps of Engineers project to implode 150 silos in eastern North Dakota. It is all part of the Oct. 1, 1995, Base Realignment and Closure Commission decision to realign Minuteman III missiles from the 321st Missile Group at Grand Forks AFB, N.D., to Malmstrom AFB, Mont. States-Canad- The missiles that were here were taken off alert in 1995. This is the start of the final compliance of START I, where we implode the sites so they can never be used for their original purpose. Lead, from page Mike Heinemeyer Col. A-0- "These missile sites are the only ones in North Dakota that are being imploded for the treaty," Heinemeyer said. 'There are still 150 missile sites assigned to Minot that remain in service." Capt. Rocky Krug, 319th Air Refueling Wing treaty si o HDD compliance office chief, said START I is in force with Belarus, Kazikstan, Ukraine and Russia. He also discussed what the next step is after the implosion. "The contractor will continue to work on the sight for a period of a couple weeks or more," Krug said. "Once the contractor gets the site to a point of where it is ready to go into an observation status, we have to send in a report that goes up our reporting structure. Once the report is sent up and all parties are notified, then the site goes into observation status for 90 days." Veit Companies, headquartered in Rogers, Minn., was contracted for the entire project and DemTech of DuBois, 111., is the explosives company imploding the sites. Scott Gustafson, owner of DemTech, said the process to get ready for an implosion like this one is a bit time consuming. "First it takes three days to drill the holes where the explosives go," Gustafson said. 'Then it takes three hours to load the explosives." Gustafson, an explosives expert, said they used nearly 850 pounds of dynamite and ammonium nitrate and fuel oil mixture explosives for the implosion. Termed an "implosion," the explosives are embedded into the walls of the silo where on ignition they force the rubble inward, filling in the silo's hole. Gustafson added he hopes to get a few more sites done before the winter sets in. "I would like to see us get at least 15 more done before the snow flies," he said. (Courtesy ofAir Mobility Command News Service) 1B WorkHobbies: People who work, or have hobbies that involve lead can bring lead home on their clothes, exposing family members. Hobbies and related activities conducive to lead exposures include glazed pottery making, target shooting, lead soldering, painting, stained glass making, car or boat repair and home remodeling. Health effects Exposure to high levels of lead can cause serious problems. In children, problems include brain damage, slow growth, colicky abdominal pain, kidney damage, impaired hearing, vomiting, headaches, appetite loss and learning and behavioral problems. Fetuses, infants, and children are more vulnerable to lead exposure than adults because lead is more easily absorbed into growing bodies. Also, the tissues of small children are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead. In adults, lead exposure can cause high wash your hands before eating. If you work with lead or have a hobby that involves lead, wipe your feet before entering your home and wash your clothes separate from other clothes. For homes built before 1978, lead paint isn't a problem unless it's peeling or dis- blood pressure, strokes, digestive problems, kidney damage, iron deficiency, nerve disorders, sleep problems, muscle and joint pain, and mood changes. Women exposed to lead experience a high rate of miscarriage. The male reproductive system can also be affected with abnormal sperm cells and lower sperm counts. Reducing exposure In industrial operations, use all the personal protective equipment required for the job. Practice good personal hygiene turbed. Keep all window sills and children's play areas clean and free of dust Keep children away from chipping paint, and ensure the paint is fixed promptly by qualified organizations. Clean hands and toys frequently. Ensure children eat a balanced diet with : plenty of foods that contain iron and calcium. A child that gets enough of these minerals will absorb less lead. Foods rich in iron include eggs, lean red meat, beans and peas. Dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt are also recommended for their high calcium content Don't store food or drink in containers made from crystal, because some crystal contains lead. The Hill AFB pediatrics clinic offers lead screening questionnaires and, if indicated, blood lead screening for children upon request Screening questionnaires for lead exposure are routinely given at the 12 month and year old well child visits and become part of the permanent medical record. For more information, visit the Centers 4-- 6 for Disease Control web site atwww.cdc.gov and search for "lead"; or contact Public Health at Ext. Bioenvironmental or Pediatrics Engineering at Ext. at Ext. 51 14 T The Meadows, quality comes first. Starting with rounded corners, tiled floors, designer-selecte-d carpets double-sink Roman bath provide a throughout, private patios and balconies, vanities, and a garden-styl- e small glimpse of the luxurious lifestyle enjoyed by The Meadows homeowners. 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