Iowa Army Ammunition Plant Pauses Operations After Hazardous Compound Found

Officials working to safely remove and dispose of lead azide discovered during routine inspection

Mar. 20, 2026 at 3:51pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Operations at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in Burlington have been temporarily paused as officials work to address the discovery of a hazardous compound, lead azide, found during a routine safety inspection. The material has been stored in reinforced concrete 'igloos' and there is no immediate danger to the public, according to the Joint Munitions Command.

Why it matters

The Iowa Army Ammunition Plant is a critical national defense facility that produces munitions and other military supplies. Any disruption to operations could impact broader supply chains and national security. The discovery of hazardous materials onsite also raises concerns about environmental and worker safety that need to be properly addressed.

The details

Lead azide, a chemical used in detonator production, was discovered during a routine safety inspection at the plant on March 12. Officials immediately initiated a 'precautionary pause' in operations to allow experts to safely assess and remove the hazardous material, which has reportedly been stored for a long time in reinforced concrete 'igloos' designed to contain explosive substances.

  • The pause in operations began on March 12, 2026.
  • Officials intend to safely dispose of the lead azide in the coming days.

The players

Iowa Army Ammunition Plant

A critical national defense facility that produces munitions and other military supplies.

Joint Munitions Command

The organization overseeing operations at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant.

Justine Barati

A spokesperson for the Joint Munitions Command.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Officials stress there is no immediate danger to the public.”

— Justine Barati, Spokesperson, Joint Munitions Command

What’s next

Officials intend to safely dispose of the lead azide in the coming days, allowing operations at the plant to resume.

The takeaway

The discovery of hazardous materials at a critical national defense facility highlights the importance of rigorous safety protocols and the need to address any potential environmental or worker safety concerns promptly to maintain operations and protect the public.