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Posted: Sunday, February 5th, 2006 6:45 AM HST

Discarded chemical agents found in firing range

By Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) _ The Army has found dangerous chemical agents during its cleanup at the Schofield Barracks firing range. The Army said yesterday that they found the agent chloropicrin, which was used in World War I chemical weapons. Six out of 14 munitions tested contain the asphyxiator, which causes tearing, throat irritation and a build-up of lung fluid. Demolition experts are recommending that the munitions be destroyed where they stand because they have unstable fuses, which makes them unsafe to move. Over the last ten months, the Army has found at least 152 unexploded ordinance, some of which contained chemical agents. The Army has been clearing Schofield Barracks training ranges as it renovates the area for a new Stryker combat brigade. (Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved.)