U.S. Army to Detonate 68 Lead-Azide Barrels at Iowa Ammunition Plant

The U.S. Army plans to detonate 68 barrels of lead azide at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant after concluding the material cannot be safely transported. The explosive, kept for almost 20 years and no longer needed for production, will be destroyed by Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams in November, near the newly built 155mm artillery production line. About 55 nearby homes in Middletown will be temporarily vacated, with the Army Reserve Center provided as temporary housing.

Construction of the new line is expected to be delayed by roughly four hours on the day of the blast. Officials will conduct air, water and soil testing before and after the explosion, and residents may file damage claims. The decision was approved by former Army Secretary Dan Driscoll following expert recommendation.