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TOOELE, Utah (AP) -- Investigators are trying to figure out how a small sample of dilute GB nerve agent is missing from Deseret Chemical Depot.
Officials stress the vial's contents will NOT hurt anyone because the material was diluted and was only a small quantity. However, Colonel Raymond T. Van Pelt, commander of the depot, says although the contents of the vial pose NO threat to the public or workers, this situation is unacceptable.
According to Van Pelt, the depot began an investigation after an audit showed a vial with less than two milliliters of diluted GB nerve agent had NOT been returned to a laboratory.
The facility's spokeswoman Alaine Southworth says they know who had it. She says the base does NOT suspect terrorism or any other type of malicious action.
The diluted agent is used to calibrate equipment that monitors the air for potential contamination.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
