03:48 PM PDT on Thursday, October 21, 2004
HERMISTON, Ore. -- Officials at the Umatilla Chemical Depot are
investigating whether two guards were exposed to the deadly nerve agent
sarin while checking an igloo where the agent is stored. AP File Photo A worker inspects some of the weapons
stockpiled at the Umatilla depot. 
Depot officials told the Pendleton East Oregonian on Thursday that the guards, who were not named, were checking a filter in a storage area last Friday night when they got a metalic taste in their mouths. One reported a rotten egg smell and one reported a runny nose.
Jim Hackett, a spokesman for the Army at the depot, said nothing has been confirmed yet.
"We're investigating for possible exposure to chemical agent, he said, adding that only one symptom, the runny nose, indicates possible nerve gas exposure.
He said a blood test Saturday indicated that the two had been exposed to something but that a follow-up test Monday indicated no exposure.
A urine sample was sent to a lab in Aberdeen, Md., for testing on Tuesday but Hackett said it could take a week to get results.
No contaminants were found on the guards' clothing, Hackett said.
The guards were not given an antidote for chemical agent exposure.
Local emergency responders met Wednesday with Depot Commander Lt. Col. David Holliday. They were concerned that it took several days before the Depot notified them Tuesday of a potential problem, according to Casey Beard, director of Morrow County's Emergency Management and Meg Capps, director of Umatilla County's Emergency Management.
Both said they think the issues have been resolved.
In a 1999 incident while the chemical incinerator was being built dozens of workers were exposed to an unidentified toxin and some were temporarily hospitalized. Some still have respiratory problems.
It has not been determined what injured the workers.
A judge ruled recently that the Army was not responsible.
The depot stores about 7.4 million pounds of deadly nerve and blister agents in a variety of munitions, about 12 percent of the national stockpile.
Incineration of the agent began about a month ago and is calculated
to take about six years.