In short, yes. Even unexploded shells that have been compromised can leak mustard agent, which at room temperature is generally a yellow-brown liquid rather than a gas. The liquid mustard agent causes chemical burns when touched.In August 2016, a Sea Watch fisherman sustained burns after handling a shell suspected to contain mustard agent. As a precaution against possible contamination, the clamming company elected to destroy 704 cases of Classic Tureen Renaissance Formula New England Clam Chowder processed at the Milford plant. This resulted in the memorable headline: “Clammer is injured dredging up old bomb, chowder tossed.”
Other fishermen, and at least three bomb disposal agents, have been hospitalized or sustained burns handling chemical munitions dredged up in the mid-Atlantic since 2004.
