US destroys chemical weapons warehouse in Colorado

The US military has just destroyed 2,600 tons of mustard gas at an arsenal in southern Colorado.

Technicians handle chemical warheads at the Pueblo Chemical Depot. Photo: AP.

Reuters quoted Thomas Schultz, a military spokesman, as saying that the first batch of weapons containing chemicals that cause burns and blisters was moved into a specially designed chamber in a building at the Pueblo chemical depot for destruction. The weapons are banned under international treaties.

“Everyone here is very happy. We have been waiting for this day for a long time,” said Mr. Schultz.

“The Puelo facility is ready to support the United States’ commitment to destroy its entire chemical weapons arsenal,” said Conrad F. Whyne, executive director of the U.S. Army Chemical Weapons Replacement Assembly (ACWA) program.

According to Mr. Whyne, experts will use a sophisticated Explosive Destruction System to destroy the weapons. ACWA also uses this system in other similar operations to ensure safety.

Mustard gas was used extensively during World War I but was banned by the Geneva Protocol of 1925. It is a carcinogen, can cause skin irritation or burns if exposed to the skin, and can be fatal if used in large quantities.

The US military stockpiled tons of chemical weapons in the 1940s. But under the terms of the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention, all countries that are signatories to the convention must destroy their chemical weapons.

According to the plan, about 523 tons of nerve agents, blister agents and burn agents stored at the Blue Grass military depot in Kentucky will also begin to be destroyed next year./.

According to VOV.VN