Workers preparing a GB agent monitoring sample, immediately evacuated a laboratory room Monday morning when an alarm signaled a failure within the ventilation system of the Oquirrh Mountain Facility at Deseret Chemical Depot.

Subsequent to their departure, GB agent vapor migrated out of the laboratory hood, which contained the agent samples, and into the empty room causing two agent alarms to sound. Redundant filter systems prevented vapor from migrating out of the room and there was no release to the environment.

Four workers had been preparing a diluted laboratory analytical sample of the agent when the incident occurred.

A small amount of diluted GB agent still stored at the depot is used to prepare samples necessary to calibrate GB monitoring alarms. These alarms continue to monitor areas where GB was processed and areas containing secondary waste from the GB destruction campaign.

Tooele county officials were immediately notified and there was no danger to surrounding communities, according to a press release.