Mustard Gas Leak Detected At Pueblo Storage Facility

The Pueblo Chemical Depot is investigating a mustard gas leak at the facility.

The low-level leak was detected Sept. 18, according to a spokeswoman for the storage facility near Pueblo, Colo.

The leak was detected during a routine igloo inspection, where the chemical warefare agent is stored in 105mm rounds. A charcoal filter unit was placed on the vent of the igloo in an effort to clean the air. The filer will remain on the igloo until the leak is isolated.

The community is not at risk, according to Lt. Col. John A Becker, who commands the depot. Workers have been monitoring the leak since it was first discovered and an effort is under way to identify and isolate the leaking mustard gas canister.

Sulfur mustard, commonly called mustard gas, can cause skin burns and blisters, especially around sweaty parts of the body. Mustard gas can cause skin burns and blisters, especially around sweaty parts of the body.

The Pueblo Chemical Depot is located approximately 14 miles east of the center of the City of Pueblo in Pueblo County and about 2 miles north of the Arkansas River. The installation encompasses approximately 23,000 acres and includes a variety of buildings, structures and undeveloped areas. The depot's primary function is the storage of chemical weapons. The weapons have been housed at the depot for more than 50 years.