The GB (Sarin) chemical agent leak detected in a weapons storage igloo May 10 at the Blue Grass Army Depot was found Thursday after extensive isolation procedures.

Three leaking rockets were identified after only two weeks of searching. It was originally estimated that the search for the leaking munition would take some time because there were approximately 2,500 rockets in the igloo.

"Finding three leaking rockets in what is a relatively short time is directly due to the experience and professionalism of the Blue Grass Chemical Activity toxic chemical workers and laboratory technicians," said Lt. Col. George Shuplinkov. "They're the best in the command. They have been doing their job so well that they make the whole organization shine. They're local men and women who go the extra mile to keep our community safe."

The three rockets with vapor leaks were placed into leakproof containers and left in the igloo until it was determined that they were the only leaking munitions in the igloo. However, filtering and monitoring of the igloo will continue for at least three days to ensure there are no more.

Blue Grass Chemical Activity laboratory technicians will continue to monitor the igloo every duty day after the leaking rockets have been removed and placed in another igloo that contains only overpacked munitions. That igloo is monitored each day as well.

The "leakers" were the first detection of GB nerve agent at the depot in several years, said BGAD Public Affairs Officer Dick Sloan. Mustard gas leaks occurred twice in both 2002 and 2003, and there has never been a leak of VX nerve agent, the third type of nerve agent stored at the depot.

GB nerve agent is a colorless and odorless liquid that evaporates as fast as water. It is stored inside M-55 rockets and is an inhalation hazard only, but was designed to be very deadly, Sloan said.

The trace of agent detected May 10 was so minute there was no way of determining an official amount.

The agent was detected by the process of a first-entry monitoring system. There are 49 igloos on the depot and 45 of them contain chemical weapons. Each of the 45 active igloos are monitored daily.

During the incident, there was no danger to the community and local and state preparedness officials were advised during all phases of the operation, Sloan said