Mustard Agent Exposure Confirmed At Umatilla Chemical Depot

By Colin Fogarty | April 5, 2010 3:26 p.m. | Updated: June 16, 2010 11:56 p.m. | Portland, OR

The U.S. Army has confirmed that mustard agent caused a worker's skin to blister last month at the Umatilla Chemical Depot. The incident occurred during maintenance operations at a chemical weapons incineration facility. The Army is getting ready to burn mustard agent to comply with international treaties. The Umatilla Depot, in eastern Oregon, has already destroyed stashes of more dangerous nerve agents, known as V-X and G-B. Greg Mahall speaks for the U.S. Army's Chemical Materials Agency. He said  managers at the Umatilla plant are increasing safety procedures after last month's exposure.“We're dealing with the less dangerous of the three agents. However, that does not give us cause to slack off in any of our safety efforts. We need to keep the workers safe so that we keep the community safe so that we keep the environment safe.”Mahall said the injured worker's blister is healing well. This was just the third chemical weapons exposure in Army facilities since 1990.

© 2010 Northwest News Network

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