MINNEAPOLIS, June 2, 2008—The Minnesota Department of Health says that barrels of military waste dumped into Lake Superior almost 50 years ago pose “no apparent public health hazard.’’

An estimated 1,448 barrels were dumped into the lake near Duluth between 1959 and 1962. The barrels are thought to contain parts of newly designed cluster bombs and other munitions produced by Honeywell Corp.

Government efforts to find and open several barrels in the 1990s found parts from grenade-like cluster bombs, scrap metal, ash, concrete and garbage. Eight barrels recovered and tested contained hazardous substances such as PCBs.

The MDH plans no further action on the barrels issue.

Duluth News Tribune story