On 12 March, 2012, officials of the U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency (CMA) reported that a mobile monitoring laboratory at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Richmond, Kentucky, detected mustard agent vapor at low levels in an igloo used for storing 155 mm projectiles.
Toxic chemical monitoring of the projectiles at the depot is a routine affair. It is performed every week. This low level of mustard agent vapor leakage was detected during the routine testing performed in the earlier part of the day by a real time analytical platform. The vapor was found in the igloo’s interior atmosphere.
Toxic chemical workers at the facility have taken the necessary measures to prevent any toxic chemical agent from escaping from the igloo into the external atmosphere. A filter with a capacity of 1000 ft3/min was attached to the vent at the rear end of the igloo. Ambient external air is drawn in from a vent in the front portion of the igloo. It is drawn through the igloo, out through the rear vent and into the filters. These filters capture the particles in the mustard agent vapor and prevent any leakage into the atmosphere.
The CMA officials stated that the mustard agent vapor leakage, presently does not ose a danger to the residents of Madison county and other adjacent counties. The Commonwealth of Kentucky Emergency Management Agency and the Madison County Emergency Management Agency have been informed about the Mustard agent vapor leak.