Chemical security

Dugway to release tons of chlorine gas this week in test

Researchers this week plan to release a concentration of chlorine gas on the U.S. Army's Dugway Proving Ground.

The test is being named Jack Rabbit II. Scientists are seeking to determine what would happen if a rail car or other large receptacle were to emit pressurized, poisonous gas in an urban setting.

The tests are in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and planning documents suggest it and the Army intend to place cars and structures in the test zone to see whether the chlorine penetrates them.

According to the Utah Division of Air Quality documents released last year, Jack Rabbit II calls for Dugway to release up to 10 tons of chlorine. The amount could increase to 90 tons of chlorine per test in 2016 if Dugway can demonstrate that only minimal amounts of chlorine escaped its boundaries in previous tests.