Leaks cease at depot
By Ronica Brandenburg/Register News Writer

Recent mustard chemical agent leaks at the Blue Grass Army Depot have disappeared, according to air-monitor readings.

The leaks originally were detected in two separate storage igloos on July 19. The igloos were monitored and vapors continued to be detected until Sept. 15.

All leaking projectiles have been located and no other readings have shown their presence, said Dick Sloan, public affairs officer for Blue Grass Chemical Activity.

During the weeks of leaker isolation procedures, the igloo atmosphere was filtered to ensure that no agent escaped into the atmosphere.

”It's not unusual for a projectile to emit a small burst of vapor, then reseal itself,“ said Lt. Col. George Shuplinkov, commander of Blue Grass Chemical Activity.

The vapors can only be released through the ”nose“ of the projectile,“ Sloan said.

An O-ring on the nose seals the vapors inside; however, when there is too much pressure inside the projectile, a small vapor can slip though the O-ring and then it will re-seal itself, he said.

Eight leaking munitions have been detected, sealed and stored this year.

”We have not had this many leaking munitions since 1999 and the toxic chemical crew worked long, hard and diligently to isolate and place the leaking munitions in leakproof overpack containers,“ said Gary Stanfield, chief of field operations at the depot.

There were no leaking projectiles last year and six have been found in the past three years. But, as the projectiles age, more pressure will build inside and they will be more susceptible to leaks, Sloan said.

”To ensure the safety of the community and toxic chemical workers, Blue Grass Chemical Activity laboratory technicians will monitor the igloo (containing the now sealed projectiles),“ said Johnnie Allen, director of the Blue Grass Chemical Activity Emergency Operations Center. ”Safety is the first part of every action we do.“

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