Toxic Agent Found in UN Building
WNYC News | Jul 12, 2010
New York, NY —
A nerve agent was removed from a UN office building yesterday. The chemical, phosgene, was recovered from an Iraqi munitions factor in 1996.
REPORTER: For some people working near the UN building, yesterday's news was unsettling. Others found it highly ironic. Helene Barsamian works for a German nonprofit across the street from the building where the chemicals were discovered.
BARSAMIAN: I'm totally surprised and shocked. That this ended up here and we've been looking for this stuff for what, 5 years now? What can I say? You have to smile.
REPORTER: The UN says it discovered the samples Friday while archiving files, but it took officials until yesterday to find a report with an inventory identifying the vials.
