Star staff writer
The Aberdeen Chemical Agent Disposal Facility processes metal tanks of mustard agent, draining the agent out and neutralizing it with hot water.
Two workers at Aberdeen were flushing out machinery that captures vapor from the rinsewater tank. When they removed a drain hose, some of the rinsewater splashed onto them, said Jeff Lindblad, spokesman for the facility.
“They were wearing full protective equipment, which is a requirement,” including breathing gear, he said.
The workers’ suits had to be decontaminated before they could leave the room, known as the neutralization bay. But because agent was contained to the bay, the plant did not have to be evacuated.
Disposal operations at Aberdeen began in April 2003. Since then, more than 78 tons of mustard agent have been neutralized and destroyed.
The Anniston chemical weapons facility incinerator began live operations in August 2003.
As of Sunday night, the plant had destroyed 16,677 M-55 rockets and 18,257 gallons of liquid GB agent that filled them. The Anniston Chemical Disposal Facility is preparing for trial burns of rockets in which the agent has crystallized or gelled.