This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/6983338.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
UN probes 'mislabelled chemicals' UN probes 'mislabelled chemicals'
(3 days later)
The UN is investigating how vials of an apparently harmless substance were mistaken for toxic chemicals, sparking a major alert at a New York office.The UN is investigating how vials of an apparently harmless substance were mistaken for toxic chemicals, sparking a major alert at a New York office.
The containers, first thought to hold the bio-warfare agent phosgene, were discovered at the UN's weapon inspection agency last month. The containers, first thought to hold the chemical agent phosgene, were discovered at the UN's weapon inspection agency last month.
Initial tests suggested it was actually a harmless solvent, although officials stressed the analysis was incomplete.Initial tests suggested it was actually a harmless solvent, although officials stressed the analysis was incomplete.
It is thought the vials might have been mislabelled when they were stored.It is thought the vials might have been mislabelled when they were stored.
UN spokeswoman Michele Montas said the episode raised "security issues".UN spokeswoman Michele Montas said the episode raised "security issues".
Confirming an inquiry would take place, she said: "One has to know why it happened so it won't happen again."Confirming an inquiry would take place, she said: "One has to know why it happened so it won't happen again."
The substance, found at the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (Unmovic), was said to have been removed from Iraq during inspections of chemical facilities a decade ago.The substance, found at the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (Unmovic), was said to have been removed from Iraq during inspections of chemical facilities a decade ago.
'Potentially hazardous''Potentially hazardous'
The UN said the vials had been found by inspectors as they cleared out an office near the UN's headquarters on 24 August.The UN said the vials had been found by inspectors as they cleared out an office near the UN's headquarters on 24 August.
Officials did not disclose the find until last week, when a UN spokeswoman said the material "could be potentially hazardous", but has not posed any immediate risk.Officials did not disclose the find until last week, when a UN spokeswoman said the material "could be potentially hazardous", but has not posed any immediate risk.
The metal and glass vials, stored in a sealed plastic bag, were discovered in the process of emptying Unmovic's office building in Manhattan.The metal and glass vials, stored in a sealed plastic bag, were discovered in the process of emptying Unmovic's office building in Manhattan.
"The only information we have of the contents of that bag is from an inventory of a 1996 inspection," the UN's Marie Okabe said at the time."The only information we have of the contents of that bag is from an inventory of a 1996 inspection," the UN's Marie Okabe said at the time.
She said the inventory "indicates that one of the items may contain phosgene, an old generation chemical warfare agent".She said the inventory "indicates that one of the items may contain phosgene, an old generation chemical warfare agent".
Phosgene, a yellow-green gas, was widely used during World War I as a choking agent. The Russian military has also claimed that it has been used in Chechnya.Phosgene, a yellow-green gas, was widely used during World War I as a choking agent. The Russian military has also claimed that it has been used in Chechnya.
Unmovic's inspectors were withdrawn from Iraq in March 2003 and in June this year the UN decided to end its mandate.Unmovic's inspectors were withdrawn from Iraq in March 2003 and in June this year the UN decided to end its mandate.