Deseret Chemical resumes mustard agent destruction

STOCKTON, Tooele County — Workers resumed processing mustard agent-filled 4.2-inch cartridges this week as part of ongoing mustard disposal operations at the Tooele Chemical Agent Disposal Facility.

Officials suspended processing of the mortars last year when sampling and analysis of the furnace exhaust gas conducted during startup of mortar operations identified higher-than-anticipated levels of mercury.

Since halting mortar operations, a new $33 million filtering system designed to safely capture mercury from furnace exhaust gas streams has successfully completed performance tests before Utah state regulatory authorities.

The new filtration system uses sulfur-impregnated carbon to capture mercury in furnace exhausts. To ensure safety of the workers, community and environment, mercury-monitoring systems are located at intervals within the filter beds. The mercury-monitoring systems ensure the carbon filters are working properly and complement other emission monitoring equipment.

More than 70 percent of the original mustard agent stockpile by weight has been destroyed. Planning for the elimination of Deseret Chemical's relatively small remaining stockpile of nerve and Lewisite blister agent continues. Chemical weapons destruction operations at the facility are scheduled to be done by the Chemical Weapons Convention treaty deadline in April 2012.