YOKOHAMA — The Ground Self-Defense Force has determined that old beer bottles that reeked a pungent smell at a road construction site in Samukawa, Kanagawa Prefecture contained mustard gas and a major tear gas ingredient, the government said Wednesday.
The Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry's Yokohama National Highway Work Office said mustard gas, in liquid form, and chloroacetophenone, in crystals, were found in samples collected by the Ground Self-Defense Force.
According to the highway work office, about 10 old beer bottles — most of them cracked — were found over a three-day period, Sept 25-27, in what used to be the site of a military factory where the Imperial Japanese Army manufactured toxic gas.
The office said two more construction workers have developed symptoms of rashes and blisters in the face and hips, bringing the number of casualties to eight. The victims also had swollen toe nails.
The workers began showing the toxic-gas-related symptoms on Oct 1, officials said.
The Kanagawa prefectural government has decided to call on the Defense Agency to help investigate whether there are more toxic gas-filled bottles in the area.
The land ministry suspended work at the road construction site on Oct 28 and asked the Defense Agency to examine the contents of the beer bottles.
Mustard gas is a volatile liquid corrosive to the skin that causes severe and at times fatal respiratory damage. The German army introduced it in World War I as a chemical warfare agent.
Chloroacetophenone is a lacrimatory gas used in riot control. It is a major ingredient of tear gas spray and can be used as tear bomb. (Kyodo News)
Article reprinted courtesy of Japan Today: http://www.japantoday.com
The Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry's Yokohama National Highway Work Office said mustard gas, in liquid form, and chloroacetophenone, in crystals, were found in samples collected by the Ground Self-Defense Force.
According to the highway work office, about 10 old beer bottles — most of them cracked — were found over a three-day period, Sept 25-27, in what used to be the site of a military factory where the Imperial Japanese Army manufactured toxic gas.
The office said two more construction workers have developed symptoms of rashes and blisters in the face and hips, bringing the number of casualties to eight. The victims also had swollen toe nails.
The workers began showing the toxic-gas-related symptoms on Oct 1, officials said.
The Kanagawa prefectural government has decided to call on the Defense Agency to help investigate whether there are more toxic gas-filled bottles in the area.
The land ministry suspended work at the road construction site on Oct 28 and asked the Defense Agency to examine the contents of the beer bottles.
Mustard gas is a volatile liquid corrosive to the skin that causes severe and at times fatal respiratory damage. The German army introduced it in World War I as a chemical warfare agent.
Chloroacetophenone is a lacrimatory gas used in riot control. It is a major ingredient of tear gas spray and can be used as tear bomb. (Kyodo News)
Article reprinted courtesy of Japan Today: http://www.japantoday.com