Army Studying Methods of Destroying Mustard Agent in Mixed-Content Containers at Aberdeen Proving Ground

The U.S. Army is developing a plan to dispose of 19 mixed-content containers of mustard agent and other substances being stored at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, officials announced yesterday (see GSN, Aug. 19).

The nonagent substance in the containers is believed to be primarily oil, according to an Army press release. Two containers were drained last year and their contents neutralized.

“Our on-site laboratory analyzes each batch of wastewater, also known as hydrolysate, for detectable mustard agent and for a wide variety of chemical compounds,” Aberdeen Chemical Agent Disposal Facility lead scientist Dan Taylor said in a prepared statement. “The analytical results for all of the hydrolysate produced, including the batches with neutralized mixed-contents, are closely examined by all parties involved prior to shipment off-site for disposal. This examination includes ensuring that the hydrolysate meets the waste acceptance criterion of the receiving facility” (U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency release, Aug. 26).

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