U.S. Senator Wayne Allard (R-Colo.) has asked the Defense Department to use a water-based method to neutralize mustard gas stored in “igloos” at the Pueblo Chemical Depot (see GSN, Dec. 11), the Associated Press reported yesterday.  The department is considering four possible destruction methods, two that use incineration and two that use water.  The department is expected to announce its decision Feb. 1.

The method Allard advocated would mix water with the mustard agent to deactivate the agent.  Then specialists would add certain bacteria to transform the gas into a nonlethal substance, a process called biodegradation. 

Several Pueblo community organizations have said they preferred the government destroy the gas using the biodegradation method (Associated Press, Jan. 3).

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