Seeping Tank Stops US Chemical Arms Destruction Plant

Officials say that less than 8 ounces (237 milliliters) seeped out.

In this Jan. 29, 2015, file photo, a remotely controlled robot handles an inert simulated chemical munition during training at the Pueblo Chemical Depot in southern Colorado. The Army announced Wednesday, June 13, 2018, the depot had resumed destroying decades-old shells containing liquid mustard agent this week. The plant had been shut down for repairs since September.
In this Jan. 29, 2015, file photo, a remotely controlled robot handles an inert simulated chemical munition during training at the Pueblo Chemical Depot in southern Colorado. The Army announced Wednesday, June 13, 2018, the depot had resumed destroying decades-old shells containing liquid mustard agent this week. The plant had been shut down for repairs since September.
AP Photo/Brennan Linsley, File

PUEBLO, COLO. (AP) — An Army facility in southern Colorado has temporarily stopped destroying obsolete chemical weapons because of liquid hazardous waste seeping from a storage tank.

Officials said Thursday the liquid is a byproduct of the destruction process at the Pueblo Chemical Depot and contains no chemical weapons. They say less than 8 ounces (237 milliliters) seeped out. 

The seepage was discovered May 15.

The cause is under investigation. 

Destruction is expected to resume in mid-June. 

The depot is eradicating a stockpile of 780,000 shells containing 2,500 U.S. tons (2,270 metric tons) of mustard agent. Since starting in 2016, the plant has eliminated 132,000 shells and 774 U.S. tons (702 metric tons) of mustard. 

Mustard blisters skin, scars eyes and inflames airways.

The U.S. is destroying it under a treaty banning chemical weapons.

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