Blue Grass Army Depot workers have located two leaking projectiles and are searching for more after mustard agent vapors were detected in two weapons storage structures July 19.

Army officials confirmed Tuesday the projectiles have been secured in leak-proof overpack containers and are of no danger to the community. The second weapons storage structure (igloo) is being filtered to prevent any vapors from escaping into the atmosphere, according to the Army's statement.

The overpacked projectiles will remain inside the igloo for at least three days while it is filtered and monitored to ensure that no other projectiles are leaking.

The munitions will then be moved to another igloo used specifically for the storage of overpacked mustard munitions.

The isolation process used to find leaking munitions is time consuming and the recent excessive heat has further slowed the process, said Dick Sloan, public affairs officer for Blue Grass Chemical Activity.

In order to rid the igloo of leaking agent, it is flushed using a high-powered air filter. Once that has been done, workers will dress in protective gear and enter the igloo to make a visual inspection. If the leaking weapon(s) are not found right away, a much more detailed process goes into effect.

Each set of pallets will be covered, sealed-off and left for 24 hours. Then, workers will test the air in each pallet to help determine the leaking rocket.

Mustard agent was developed by the Germans to be used in World War I and was the first agent to be stored at the depot in 1944. It is a blister agent designed to incapacitate rather than kill.

"You can be in a mustard contaminated area and not know it until hours later," Sloan said. "It was meant to create hospital patients in war. If you can tie up your enemies' medical infrastructure, that weakens the whole effort."

Mustard leaks have occurred twice at the depot in 2002 and 2003.

Ronica Brandenburg can be reached at rbrandenburg@ richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.