Leak of choking gas checked in Colorado

September 24, 1980

An undetermined amount of phosgene gas -- once used by the military as a choking agent -- has leaked into a toxic storage area at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal, the Army said. Officials at the arsenal said a board will be formed to investigate the cause of the gas leak from a one-ton container. The leak was discovered by a security guard and was confined to the toxic storage area. Officials at the governor's office, the state Health Department, and the state Division of Disaster Emergency Services said they were not notified of the incident.