Chemical-laden World War I-era artillery shells recovered at Joint Base

Officials at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst have discovered that two artillery shells discovered late last year contain chemical agents used during World War I.

The two World War I-era artillery rounds were found in November and December as crews were performing remediation work at the Lakehurst Parachute Jump Circle on the Ocean County side of the base, officials told The Burlington County Times Monday.

A 75 mm shell that was recovered Nov. 23 tested positive for mustard gas. In addition a "Livens projectile" round containing phosgene gas was found on Dec. 2, the newspaper stated.

The artillery shells were removed from the jump area and are being held in a secure storage facility. The Burlington County Times stated that the Army Recovered Chemical Materiel Directorate intends to safely dispose of the items.

Toniann Antonelli is the digital managing editor for news at NJ 101.5. Reach her at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.