Disposal of 4.2-inch mortars filled with HT mustard agent has been temporarily suspended at the Deseret Chemical Depot in Utah, the U.S. Army announced yesterday (see GSN, April 2).
Unexpectedly high levels of mercury were found in exhaust from the Tooele Chemical Agent Disposal Facility as incineration of the mustard agent began earlier this month.
"While mercury emissions were within permitted limits, the Army is committed to ensuring maximum protection of the environment and has delayed further processing of the mortars," according to a press release from the Army Chemical Materials Agency.
The plant has resumed elimination of mustard agent stored in bulk containers at Deseret. Mortar disposal is expected to begin again in the fall, after a new mercury filter and capture system is installed and tested (U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency release, April 6).