Possible chemical
leak at Aberdeen Proving Ground
Special Army unit investigates report of seepage of possible mustard agent
The Associated Press
Originally published June 23, 2004, 12:19 PM ED
ABERDEEN -- A special Army unit was investigating a possible container
leak at the Aberdeen Proving Ground Wednesday after an early morning alarm
signaled the possible release of a mustard agent.
The base notified Harford County
emergency officials at 9:20 a.m. but reported an hour later that there was
no danger to the county.
The alarm sounded in an igloo-shaped building at the base's Chemical Area
Storage Yard, according to an Aberdeen Proving Ground press release.
While the alarm indicated the presence of mustard vapor inside the building,
it was not detected outside.
The Army's Technical Escort Unit was searching for a possible leak in one
of the containers.
Mustard agent -- a banned, carcinogenic liquid that blisters the eyes, skin
and lungs -- has been stockpiled at the base since World War II.
The Army last year announced accelerated plans to destroy the chemical.
