Council Bans Experiments On Nerve Gas In City Limits

After months of concern and debate over a city laboratory's experiments with nerve gas, the Cambridge City City Council last night declared a temporary ban on the testing and transportation of the substances within city limits.

Effective today, the Arthur D. Little Company is barred from working with three nerve agents currently being tested in a new, high-security lab facility opened last fall in North Cambridge.

The ban will remain in effect until a scientific advisory committee to the council can be created and make a thorough study of the issue, a process which could take several months.

The company has been experimenting with the toxic nerve gas chemicals by contract with the Department of Defense.

"Except for nuclear war, this is the most serious public health and safety violation we are facing," Councilor Francis H. Duehay '55 told the council last night. "Common sense would not let us allow this unless we fully understood it."

Arthur D. Little officials could not be reached for comment last night.

The controversy over the testing has been an issue before the council since the lab opened in October. Public officials, however.